Christmas is a high-risk period for pet poisoning and stomach upsets. Food is left within reach, guests share snacks, and wrappers end up in bins or on the floor. Dogs are most often affected because they scavenge, but cats can also be exposed.
You should treat any suspected poisoning as urgent. You should prevent further access to the food and keep your pet calm and supervised. You should keep packaging and ingredient lists, and you should estimate how much was eaten and when it happened. You should contact your vet or your nearest out-of-hours clinic straight away, even if your pet seems normal.
You should not try home remedies unless a vet instructs you to. You should not give salt, milk, oils, or human medicines. You should not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Chocolate can be toxic to dogs.
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs clear slowly. Dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and baking chocolate tend to contain more theobromine than milk chocolate, so smaller amounts can cause bigger problems. White chocolate usually contains little theobromine, but it is still fatty and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Signs of chocolate toxicity often start with gastrointestinal upset and agitation. Your pet may vomit, have diarrhoea, drink more than usual, pant, or seem restless. More severe signs can include a fast heart rate, tremors, overheating, collapse, and seizures.
When you call the vet, you should provide your pet’s weight, the type of chocolate, the amount you think was eaten, and the time it happened. You should bring the packaging if you attend the clinic. Your vet may recommend decontamination and supportive care depending on risk.
Mince pies and Christmas pudding can be dangerous.
Mince pies and Christmas pudding are risky because they often contain dried vine fruits such as raisins, sultanas, and currants. They are also rich in fat and sugar, and some recipes contain alcohol. These factors can combine to cause serious illness, especially in smaller dogs, older pets, and pets with a history of pancreatitis.
After eating a mince pie or pudding, a dog may vomit, develop diarrhoea, become lethargic, or show signs of abdominal pain. You should contact a vet promptly because the dried fruit content can be a medical emergency.
Grapes and raisins can harm a dog’s kidneys.
Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney injury in dogs, and sensitivity varies between individuals. You cannot predict risk reliably, so any ingestion should be treated as urgent.
Early signs can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Kidney-related signs can follow, including increased thirst, reduced urination, or an inability to pass urine. You should contact a vet immediately if your dog has eaten grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants, or foods that contain them. You should not wait for symptoms to appear.
Xylitol can cause severe illness in dogs.
Xylitol is a sweetener found in many sugar-free products, including some chewing gum, mints, sweets, baked goods, and oral-care items. Dogs are particularly sensitive. Xylitol can cause a rapid fall in blood sugar and, in some cases, serious liver injury.
Signs of low blood sugar include weakness, wobbliness, trembling, disorientation, collapse, and seizures. Vomiting can also occur. You should seek emergency veterinary help if xylitol exposure is possible, even if your dog looks well at first. You should take the packaging with you because xylitol content varies by product.
You should be ready to share your pet’s weight, the time of ingestion, the product name, and the best estimate of the amount eaten. You should also share any medical conditions and current medications. You should bring packaging and any remaining pieces of food to the clinic when it is safe to do so.
You should not assume that "a small amount" is safe, because dose depends on pet size and on the specific product. You should not delay veterinary advice because your pet looks normal, because some toxins have delayed effects. You should also consider the risk from swallowed wrappers, foil, and plastic.
You should keep chocolate, mince pies, puddings, and sweets in closed cupboards or high shelves, not on coffee tables or under the tree. You should use a bin with a secure lid and empty food waste regularly. You should ask guests not to feed pets from plates and not to leave bags on the floor, because gum and sweets are often stored in pockets. You should consider using baby gates or a separate room during food preparation and serving.
You should check ingredient lists before offering any treat to your pet. You should avoid foods that contain chocolate, dried fruits, alcohol, onions, garlic, or sweeteners. You should give only pet-safe treats and keep portions small.
