Christmas Leftovers and Dogs: What to Share and What to Bin
Short answer. A little plain turkey meat and plain vegetables are on Blue Cross's list of foods a healthy dog can have in small amounts. The carcass, the roasting tin, stuffing, gravy, anything with dried fruit, and food that has gone mouldy are the leftovers the Royal Kennel Club warns about. Not veterinary advice.
On this page (8 sections)
What a dog can have
Blue Cross lists turkey meat (no skin or bones), and plain vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, green beans, Brussels sprouts, peas and swede, plus mashed, new or sweet potato without butter, as foods a healthy dog that is not allergic can have in small amounts. The Royal Kennel Club advises giving only a little of any human food, cutting the dog's own meal to match. Sources: Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs; The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas.
The carcass
The Royal Kennel Club says cooked bones become brittle and splinter, that turkey or goose carcasses can block the gut, and that small pieces can irritate or pierce it. The US FDA says dogs are known for raiding the bin for a turkey carcass. Full page: can dogs eat turkey bones. Sources: The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas; US FDA, No bones (or bone treats) about it (consumer update, FDA web archive copy).
The roasting tin
The Royal Kennel Club warns about the juices and fat in the roasting pan, and says large, fatty meals can lead to pancreatitis, which it describes as very painful and serious. It suggests keeping dogs out of the kitchen after the meal is served. Source: The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas.
Stuffing and gravy
The Royal Kennel Club says onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives, found in most stuffing and many gravies, can damage red blood cells and cause life-threatening anaemia, and that signs can take a few days to appear. More: stuffing, gravy and onions. Source: The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas.
Mouldy food and blue cheese
Leftovers last days. The Royal Kennel Club says mouldy food, especially dairy, bread and nuts, can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures lasting up to two days, and that blue cheeses such as Roquefort contain a substance dogs appear sensitive to. It advises composting scraps in a sealed container a dog cannot open. Source: The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas. More: cheese.
Pudding, cake and mince pies
The Royal Kennel Club says Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and mince pies contain dried grapes, that dried fruit may be more toxic than fresh, and to call a vet after any amount. Pages: Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, mince pies. Source: The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas.
The bin
- Carcass and bones straight to an outside bin, in a tied bag.
- A lid that a dog cannot lift, or the bin behind a closed door.
- Leftovers in the fridge, not cooling on the side.
Sources: The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas; US FDA, No bones (or bone treats) about it (consumer update, FDA web archive copy).
Sources
- The Royal Kennel Club, Christmas foods: what not to give dogs at Christmas, read 7 November 2026.
- Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs, read 7 November 2026.
- US FDA, No bones (or bone treats) about it (consumer update, FDA web archive copy), read 7 November 2026.
Related pages
Christmas pet safety, chocolate and xylitol at Christmas and Thanksgiving pet safety.
