Can Dogs Eat Christmas Pudding? No: Treat It as Urgent
Quick answer
No. PDSA says the raisins, sultanas and currants in Christmas pudding are potentially lethal to dogs and can cause kidney failure or even death. Pet Poison Helpline calls even a small amount of raisins a true veterinary emergency. Puddings are often made with alcohol, which can also make pets ill. Phone your vet or an emergency vet now.
Taken from this page and its sources. Not veterinary advice. If your pet has already eaten some and seems unwell, see who to call.
Has your dog already eaten some? Phone your vet, an emergency vet or your national animal poison line now, even if your dog seems fine. Keep the packet or recipe, and note roughly how much was eaten and when. Find an emergency vet · What the vet will ask
This page is not veterinary advice. Paw Multiverse is not a veterinary practice. We cannot examine, diagnose or treat your animal. There are no doses here, no portion sizes, no feeding amounts and no treatment steps, on purpose. If your pet has eaten something you are worried about, or has changed in a way you cannot explain, ring your vet or your nearest emergency clinic and let them decide. Full disclaimer.
Christmas pudding packs three of the risks animal charities warn about into one bowl: dried vine fruit, alcohol and fat.
On this page (7 sections)
What is published
PDSA says: “The raisins, sultanas and currants in a Christmas pudding, and chocolate, are all potentially lethal to dogs”, and that the toxins can cause kidney failure or even death. Pet Poison Helpline says even a small amount of raisins can trigger acute kidney failure, and that this is a true veterinary emergency. Sources: PDSA, Marley and the Christmas pudding; Pet Poison Helpline, What happens if a dog eats raisins.
Alcohol
The ASPCA says food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, incoordination and depression in pets. VCA says signs of alcohol poisoning usually appear quickly after exposure, likely within 15 to 90 minutes. Many puddings are soaked or flamed with spirits. Sources: ASPCA, People foods to avoid; VCA, Alcohol poisoning.
Fat and richness
The British Veterinary Association says fatty, rich foods can trigger sickness and diarrhoea, or conditions such as gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. Brandy butter and cream add to that. Source: BVA, Keep mince pies out of reach of pets.
The same fruit in other bakes
Pet Poison Helpline names fruitcakes, hot cross buns and Christmas pudding as common hidden sources of raisins. Christmas cake, mince pies, stollen and panettone often carry the same dried fruit, so the same answer applies.
If your dog already ate some
Phone first. Your vet, an emergency vet or your national animal poison line can judge the risk from what was eaten and when. Keep the packet or recipe. My dog ate grapes or raisins and before you call the vet help with the call.
What we could not source for this page
- No publisher we could reach gives a portion, a frequency or a safe amount, and neither do we.
- No source we read separates a cooked pudding from raw dried fruit; the warnings above apply to both.
Where these facts come from
Each fact below is taken from the organisation named beside it, read on 4 November 2026.
- PDSA, Marley and the Christmas pudding
- Pet Poison Helpline, What happens if a dog eats raisins
- ASPCA, People foods to avoid feeding your pets
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Alcohol poisoning
- British Veterinary Association, Keep mince pies out of reach of pets
Found something out of date? Tell us. The rest of the festive table is on Christmas pet safety.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
