Can Dogs Eat Mince Pies? No: The Dried Fruit Is the Danger
Quick answer
No. PDSA says the ingredients of traditional mince pies are potentially lethal to dogs: the toxins in raisins, sultanas and currants can cause kidney failure or even death if untreated. Nobody can predict which dogs will be badly affected. If your dog has eaten any, phone your vet or an emergency vet now, even if it seems well.
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.
Mince pies are one of the most common reasons dogs see an emergency vet over Christmas. The filling is made of the dried vine fruits that animal charities warn about most.
On this page (7 sections)
What is published
PDSA says: “The ingredients of traditional mince pies are potentially lethal to dogs”, because the toxins from raisins, sultanas and currants can cause kidney failure or even death if left untreated, and that owners should speak to their vet as soon as possible. Blue Cross lists mince pies and Christmas pudding among the dangerous Christmas foods for the same reason. Sources: PDSA, Dog dodges death after downing lethal pie; Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs.
Why one pie, or one bite, still counts
VCA Animal Hospitals says there is currently no way to predict which dogs may be more susceptible to grape and raisin poisoning. Pet Poison Helpline says toxicity does not necessarily appear to be dose-dependent. That is why vets ask to hear about any amount, and why a dog that looks fine now is not the answer. Sources: VCA, Grape, raisin and currant poisoning in dogs; Pet Poison Helpline, Raisins.
Early signs
VCA says the most common early sign of grape or raisin poisoning is vomiting or diarrhoea, usually within 12 to 24 hours. Do not wait for signs before phoning; vets can act before they appear.
Pastry, suet and brandy
The British Veterinary Association says fatty, rich foods can trigger sickness and diarrhoea, or conditions such as gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. The ASPCA says food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, incoordination and depression in pets. Some mince pies contain brandy. Sources: BVA, Keep mince pies out of reach of pets; ASPCA, People foods to avoid.
The pie left out for Santa
The plate by the fireplace or the tree is at nose height and unattended overnight. Put it somewhere a dog cannot reach, or skip it this year. The Christmas pet safety page has more on the tree, the table and the guests.
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.
- None of the sources we read names suet or brandy in mince pies specifically; the fat and alcohol facts above are general statements about rich foods and alcohol.
Where these facts come from
Each fact below is taken from the organisation named beside it, read on 4 November 2026.
- PDSA, Dog dodges death after downing lethal pie
- Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Grape, raisin and currant poisoning in dogs
- Pet Poison Helpline, Raisins
- British Veterinary Association, Keep mince pies out of reach of pets
- ASPCA, People foods to avoid feeding your pets
Found something out of date? Tell us. See also my dog ate grapes or raisins.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
