The biggest dangers on the Christmas table are chocolate, grapes, raisins and currants, products containing xylitol, onion and garlic, fatty or heavily seasoned leftovers, and cooked bones. At Christmas in particular, this is extra tricky because risky ingredients are often hidden in gravy, stuffing, desserts and leftovers; the same applies to ingredients in dog treats. Seasonal sweets popular in December, like Dutch pepernoten, can also cause trouble β see Pepernoten: mag mijn hond dat eten?. And what looks like a small bite to you can already be far too much for a small dog. Has your dog eaten something suspicious? Do not just wait and see, but contact your vet quickly.
Why festive food is extra tricky for dogs
Christmas dinner is usually richer, fattier and more heavily seasoned than everyday food. That means things often go wrong not because of just "a bit of meat", but because of everything that comes with it: gravy, marinade, stuffing, seasoning mixes, butter, dessert sauce or a plate of leftovers with all sorts mixed through it. Some ingredients are genuinely toxic to dogs, while others mainly cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tummy pain or a hefty calorie hit. And because dogs often gulp down Christmas leftovers quickly, you sometimes only realise later what was actually in it. To reduce the chance your dog snatches food or begs at the table, see Bedelen aan tafel afleren.
These Christmas classics are best kept away from your dog
| Product group | Why dangerous | Examples at Christmas | Possible consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | Contains a substance that is toxic to dogs; dark chocolate is especially risky. | Chocolates, Christmas ring biscuits, brownies, chocolate desserts | Vomiting, restlessness, trembling, seizures, heart problems |
| Grapes, raisins and currants | Can be very harmful even in small amounts. | Christmas cake, stollen, pudding, sauce, desserts | Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, risk of kidney failure |
| Xylitol | Sweetener that can quickly cause serious problems, even in small amounts. | Sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, pastries, desserts | Drowsiness, trembling, seizures, liver problems |
| Onion, garlic, leek and chives | Harmful, including when used in mixed dishes. | Gravy, soup, stuffing, sausages, sauces | Stomach upset and risk of anaemia |
| Cooked bones and fish bones | Splinter easily and can get stuck or puncture. | Turkey or chicken leftovers, fish bones | Blockage, choking, perforation, internal damage |
| Fatty or heavily seasoned leftovers | Too rich for many dogs, especially in larger portions. | Gravy, bacon, sausage, tabletop grill leftovers, cream sauce | Vomiting, diarrhoea, tummy pain, pancreatic problems |
Even a small extra counts: here's how portions work
- It is not only the ingredient that matters, but also the amount. Many Christmas problems happen simply because dogs get too many extras in a short time.
- As a practical rule of thumb, extras together should make up only a small part of the daily calorie intake. The 10% rule is a handy guide: the biggest part should still be normal, complete dog food.
- Size makes a big difference. What looks like a small leftover for a Labrador can already be a hefty portion for a Chihuahua or another small dog.
- Feeding too many extras can lead to stomach upset, weight gain and, in the longer term, contribute to being overweight. Especially around the festive season, those "oh, just one more bite" moments quickly add up.
So what can you give at Christmas?
- Small pieces of chicken or turkey can be a safer choice, as long as they are unseasoned and given without bones; the same principle applies when Kauwsnacks veilig geven.
- Mild vegetables such as carrot, green beans or pumpkin are often a better fit than fatty table leftovers; the article Gezonde hondensnacks: wat is wΓ©l veilig? also helps when choosing safe extras.
- "Light" does not automatically mean safe: grapes and raisins should never be on the snack list, not even as a fruity little extra.
- If you want to give something festive, it is better to choose Gezonde hondensnacks that are truly made for dogs, such as a natural snack from Braaaf. Even safe extras should stay small and are not a second evening meal.
Has your dog eaten something anyway? Here's how to act quickly
- Call your vet as soon as possible if your dog has eaten chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic or cooked bones. With dark chocolate and xylitol, waiting is especially risky.
- Tell them straight away what your dog has eaten, roughly how much, what time it happened and how much your dog weighs. Keep the packaging or take a photo of it if you can.
- Watch for warning signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, tummy pain, lethargy, trembling, seizures, choking or breathing problems. Leave immediately if your dog is struggling to breathe or seems to have something stuck.
- Do not assume too quickly that it is "just a sore tummy". Some Christmas foods can also lead to kidney failure, liver problems, anaemia, pancreatic problems or internal damage.
