---
title: "What Can Dogs Eat at Christmas? The Safe Plate, and What Stays Off It"
url: https://pawmultiverse.com/what-can-dogs-eat-at-christmas/
description: "Blue Cross lists the Christmas foods a healthy dog can have in small amounts: turkey without skin or bones, salmon, lamb, sprouts, parsnips, carrots, peas, swede, potatoes. Plus the foods, plants and decorations to keep away."
source: Paw Multiverse (https://pawmultiverse.com), free to cite with a link
---

# What Can Dogs Eat at Christmas?

Published by Paw Multiverse (A.I.T. Multiverse Consulting Ltd) · Last updated 7 November 2026

**Short answer.** Blue Cross lists turkey (no skin or bones), salmon, lamb (no bones), green beans, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, peas, swede, mashed potato without butter, new potatoes and sweet potatoes as safe in small amounts for a healthy dog that is not allergic. Christmas pudding, mince pies, chocolate, stuffing, gravy and cooked bones stay off the plate. [Not veterinary advice](https://pawmultiverse.com/disclaimer/).

## The safe plate

Blue Cross says these are safe in small amounts if your dog is healthy and not allergic: turkey meat with no skin or bones; salmon (fillets or cooked in spring water rather than smoked); lamb with no bones; green beans, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, peas and swede; mashed potato, best without butter; new potatoes and sweet potatoes. Source: [Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/christmas-dangers-dogs). Food by food: [turkey](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-turkey/), [sprouts](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-brussels-sprouts/), [parsnips](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-parsnips/), [carrots](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-carrots/), [mashed potatoes](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-mashed-potatoes/).

## What stays off it

Blue Cross says foods high in fat or salt should be avoided. The dangerous ones have their own pages: [Christmas pudding](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-christmas-pudding/), [mince pies](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-mince-pies/), [Christmas cake](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-christmas-cake/), [chocolate](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-chocolate/), [stuffing](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-stuffing/), [gravy](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-gravy/) and [turkey bones](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-turkey-bones/). Source: [Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/christmas-dangers-dogs).

## Decorations and plants

Blue Cross says baubles and tinsel can cause a dangerous stomach blockage if swallowed, chocolate decorations should never be hung on the tree, too much wrapping paper can cause a blockage, and fallen pine needles pose a risk. It lists poinsettia, holly, mistletoe, ivy and potpourri as toxic. Source: [Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/christmas-dangers-dogs). More: [Christmas trees](https://pawmultiverse.com/are-christmas-trees-poisonous-to-pets/) and [holly and mistletoe](https://pawmultiverse.com/are-holly-and-mistletoe-poisonous-to-pets/).

## How much

Blue Cross says new foods should be introduced slowly. A spoonful of plain turkey and vegetables on top of the usual meal, not an extra dinner, is the idea; cut the dog's own food to match. Source: [Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/christmas-dangers-dogs).

## Sources

- [Blue Cross, Christmas dangers for dogs](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/christmas-dangers-dogs), read 7 November 2026.

## Related pages

[Christmas pet safety](https://pawmultiverse.com/christmas-pet-safety/), [Christmas leftovers](https://pawmultiverse.com/christmas-leftovers-and-dogs/), [chocolate and xylitol at Christmas](https://pawmultiverse.com/christmas-chocolate-and-xylitol/) and [human foods dogs can eat](https://pawmultiverse.com/human-foods-dogs-can-eat/).

## Keep reading

- [Cats in Cold Weather](https://pawmultiverse.com/cats-in-cold-weather/)
- [Hypothermia and Frostbite in Dogs and Cats](https://pawmultiverse.com/hypothermia-and-frostbite-in-dogs-and-cats/)
- [Rabbits and Guinea Pigs in Winter](https://pawmultiverse.com/rabbits-and-guinea-pigs-in-winter/)