A Pet Parent’s Guide to Holiday Food Safety

The holidays are a time for gathering, gratitude, and let’s be honest, plenty of food. Between the turkey, mashed potatoes, and endless trays of sweets, our homes fill with irresistible smells that not only tempt us but send tails wagging and noses twitching.

As pet parents, it’s only natural to want our furry and feathered family members to join in the celebration. But when it comes to holiday feasts, what feels like sharing love can sometimes lead to an emergency vet visit. Understanding what’s safe (and what’s not) helps us include our pets in a way that feels festive without risking their health.

The Safe Side of the Table

Not all holiday foods are off-limits. In fact, a few simple, unseasoned dishes can be shared safely when offered in moderation. A tiny serving of plain, cooked lean turkey, without skin, bones, or gravy, is fine for many pets, but watch out for cases where heavily-seasoned marinades, brines, or rubs were used. Turkey without skin is a good source of lean protein that is gentle on the digestive system.  For dogs, vegetables like green beans, carrots, and sweet potatoes served plain provide a good source of fiber and can also be a.  Even fruits such as apple slices are a good choice after removing the seeds and core. For a seasonal twist, a spoonful of plain pumpkin puree (not the sugary pie filling) can soothe sensitive pup stomachs and add a dash of fiber.

However, it’s also important to keep your pet’s medical history and your veterinarian’s guidance in mind. If, for example, your cat is on a prescription diet for lower urinary tract disease, or your dog is on one for hepatic support, you may want to nix the treats and double down on love—and make sure your holiday guests know to do the same.  

Beyond the food itself and risks of obesity from overfeeding, routine matters too. Pets thrive on consistency, and the holidays often disrupt their schedules. Keeping your pet’s feeding times, walks, and bedtime steady can help reduce stress. Setting aside a calm space, away from the noise, guests, and tempting food scents, also gives them a sanctuary when the festivities get overwhelming.

When Sharing Turns Scary

While it’s tempting to sneak your dog a bite of stuffing or offer the cat a taste of gravy, many holiday staples can cause real harm. Cooked poultry bones, for instance, are one of the biggest hazards of the season. They splinter easily, leading to choking or internal injuries. Rich, fatty foods like gravy, buttery potatoes, or roasted meats with skin are another hidden danger. They can upset digestion or trigger pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Steer clear of anything heavy, salty, or seasoned with onion, garlic, or chives—ingredients that can cause anemia and gastrointestinal distress.

Then there are the classic toxins: chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, and alcohol. Each one is dangerous for most pets in its own way. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, stimulants that usually can’t be metabolized safely. Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs and cats, and xylitol, a common sweetener in sugar-free gum, candy, and baked goods, can send blood sugar plummeting. Even yeast dough can expand in the stomach, leading to bloat or a blockage.

Pet parents should watch for red-flag symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, sudden lethargy, bloating, tremors, or loss of appetite—common signs of toxic ingestion or foreign-body obstruction that require immediate veterinary attention.

For our feathered friends, food sensitivities can include those mentioned above, plus dairy products, raw peanuts or other grains (which can cause respiratory infections from mold exposure or pose a choking hazard), and nightshade-family produce, such as tomatoes and peppers. Many exotic pets are smaller-bodied, so even a minimal amount of exposure to a harmful food can mean a big dose of unfun. If you know that your exotic friend has ingested any of these foods, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian right away, even if they’ve yet to show illness.

Many holiday plants pose serious risks to cats and other species prone to chewing, including poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, and amaryllis, all of which can cause gastrointestinal or systemic toxicity if ingested. Pets should also be kept away from festive decorations that may be chewed or swallowed—tinsel, ribbon, electrical cords, and fragile ornaments are especially hazardous and can lead to intestinal blockages or injury. The Pet Food Institute reminds pet owners to secure trash, store leftovers safely, and keep festive foliage well out of pets’ reach. Watch decorations on trees or elsewhere if you have climbers (such as ferrets) or flying pets, so they don’t get tangled. Rabbits and cats are especially inclined to chew on electrical cords, so cord placement or shielding is important. Pine needles or holiday tree water can be toxic to many species if ingested, and scented candles or oils can be an issue for birds especially, or for small animals with similarly sensitive respiratory systems.

Keeping the Celebration Safe and Joyful

The simplest way to keep everyone safe is to plan ahead. Feed your pet their regular meal before the big dinner so they’re not hungry or begging at the table. Prepare a few pet-safe snacks ahead of time—plain turkey pieces, cooked vegetables, or a dollop of pumpkin puree—so that you can share something without risk. Let your guests know the rules, too. Not everyone realizes how dangerous certain foods can be for animals, and well-meaning visitors might offer treats that aren’t safe for them.

If your bird, reptile, or small mammal lives in its own enclosure, check latches before guests come over to head off accidental escapes. Don’t let guests handle exotic pets unsupervised—not only for the good of your pet, but also because some species can cause human illness if folks don’t wash their hands after handling. It’s also smart to keep emergency contacts handy. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available at 1-888-426-4435 for immediate advice if your pet eats something concerning.

A Mom’s Perspective on the Holidays

As pet moms ourselves, we know how easy it is to give in to those pleading eyes during the holidays. But the truth is, love is sometimes saying, “No.” It’s making the safe choice so your pet can curl up in their favorite place later instead of in a vet’s waiting room.

The best holiday memories aren’t made from shared leftovers; they’re made from shared moments. Whether it’s an extra walk after dinner, a cozy nap under the twinkling lights, or a special toy in their stocking, there are countless ways to make your pet feel included and loved.

This season, celebrate wisely. Fill your plate, fill your heart, but keep your pet’s bowl healthy and simple. After all, the holidays are about joy, and there’s nothing more joyful than keeping every member of the family safe.

What holiday food questions do you have for our veterinary team? Drop them in the comments below.  Please also share your tips for keeping pets safe during holiday gatherings.

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About the Authors

Lee Ann Hagerty is Director of Customer Enrichment and Consumer Insights on the BSM Product Innovation team with 29+ years in the pet food industry, working for Iams/Eukanuba, Procter & Gamble, and Mars Pet Care. She brings a unique combination of project management skills with consumer insights, product design, animal nutrition, and sensory science which drives an in-depth understanding of the pet and consumer. Lee Ann has a passion for helping dogs. Over the last year and a half, she has fostered over 22 dogs. Many of them were senior dogs who had lived their entire lives outside as hunting dogs. She has been a foster pet parent for many years, and it brings her great joy to see these pets find fur-ever homes where they live with families indoors with love and care.

Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Jen completed a B.S. in Animal Science at Colorado State University, an M.S. in Zoology with a focus on nutritional ecology at Oklahoma State University, and a PhD in Animal Nutrition at Mississippi State University. After completing her doctoral research on giant panda dietary management at the Memphis Zoo, she worked as an Associate Nutritionist at the San Diego Zoo for 5 years, followed by 4 years at the Denver Zoo as Nutritionist and director of the nutrition program. Since early 2018 she's been a Senior Nutritionist in technical support, research and development, and formulation and ingredient strategy with Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy spoiling their two cats, rooting for the 49ers, and enjoying the waterfront and surrounding nature of the San Francisco Bay Area.