Most dogs are foodies that want to eat whatever you’re eating. So, it’s no surprise if you find your dog sniffing around and staying close by your side while you prepare Christmas dinner. Fortunately, there are several common ingredients that go in Christmas dishes that are also safe for dogs to eat.
If you want to include your dog in Christmas festivities, you can prepare some dishes that they can also enjoy. Here are some different kinds of food that your dog can eat and how you can prepare them properly.
The 10 Christmas Foods Your Dog Can Eat
1. Turkey
Your dog will be thrilled to munch on a piece of turkey during Christmas dinner. Turkey is a safe treat for dogs to eat, but it should be unseasoned. The typical herbs and spices for roasted turkey can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs, like powdered garlic, allspice, and onions. For this reason, avoid feeding your dog any skin from a roasted turkey.
When giving your dog turkey, make sure to take out any bones. It’s also unsafe to sneak your dog any bits of uncooked turkey while you’re preparing it. Uncooked meat can contain Salmonella, Campylobacter, and other harmful bacteria that can make your dog sick.
Remember to consult your veterinarian first if you’re planning to feed your dog any Christmas foods that are not included on this list.
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2. Cranberries
Cranberries are a tart treat that you can give to your dog. If you’re preparing cranberry sauce from scratch, you can set aside a small, unsweetened portion for your dog. While added sugars aren’t toxic to dogs, they are unnecessary and don’t provide nutritional value.
Dogs also shouldn’t eat canned cranberry sauce because of the added sugars. Some may also contain artificial sweeteners that are unsafe for dogs, like xylitol.
3. Potatoes
Dogs can eat cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes. If you’re preparing roasted potatoes, you can set aside a small, unseasoned portion for your dog to enjoy. Your dog can also enjoy mashed potatoes before you add butter, milk, and seasonings.
Never feed a dog unpeeled raw or partially cooked potatoes. Raw potatoes, and especially potato peels, contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs in large amounts. Peeling and cooking potatoes will lower the amount of solanine, making it completely safe for dogs to eat.
4. Green Beans
Green beans are a nutritious treat for dogs. They contain many essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Your dog can also eat them raw or cooked.
Making a dish with green beans can be a great way to include your dog in the Christmas festivities. They’re a great snack to give them while you cook and before you season them with spices. It’s best to feed them fresh green beans rather than canned green beans because canned vegetables tend to be higher in sodium since salt is used as a preservative.
5. Broth
Homemade broth is an excellent ingredient to use in gravies and soups. If you plan to make your own broth, you can prepare a version that’s safe for dogs to eat. Dogs can eat broths that contain carrots, celery, rosemary, and thyme. They can also eat very small portions of peppercorns, but some may experience an upset stomach.
Dogs cannot eat any vegetables in the Allium family, which includes onions, garlic, and shallots. They also cannot eat bay leaves.
6. Eggs
Eggs are a common ingredient in many dishes. So, if you’re making a batch of homemade cookies or dinner rolls, you can set aside a cooked egg for your dog. Avoid feeding your dog raw eggs because they can be contaminated with Salmonella.
Keep in mind that a small number of dogs can be allergic to eggs. If you’ve never fed your dog an egg before making Christmas dinner, it’s best to offer a tiny amount first. You can’t completely rule out that your dog has never been exposed to eggs since some commercial diets include them as an ingredient. Therefore, an obvious allergic reaction might develop.
7. Dog-Friendly Gingerbread Cookies
Dogs can safely eat ginger, so if baking cookies is a family tradition, your dog can participate in this activity. Ginger has proven health benefits in humans, helping with nausea and vomiting, to name some. To date, there haven’t been enough studies in dogs to show exactly the same benefits, but it could be possible.
There are plenty of dog-friendly gingerbread cookie recipes you can find online. You can also find some yogurt-based icing that is safe for dogs to eat. Try to look for recipes that don’t contain maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, or other added sugars.
8. Carrots
Carrots are a nutritious and popular snack amongst dogs. They can be fed raw or cooked, but many dogs prefer the crunch of a raw carrot stick. Raw carrots can also help improve a dog’s dental health. They also contain high levels of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber.
When feeding your dog a raw carrot, make sure to break it down into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. Cooked carrots should be unseasoned for dogs and avoid feeding your dog any canned carrots.
9. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is another vegetable that’s safe for dogs to eat. It contains many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and it’s low in calories, making it a great treat for overweight dogs. Pumpkin is also easily digestible, so it’s an excellent option for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Along with plain pumpkin puree, dogs can safely eat raw or roasted pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and protein, and your dog may prefer their crunchy texture over a smooth pumpkin puree.
10. Cheese
Charcuterie boards and cheese platters are popular appetizers and snacks for Christmas parties. Some dogs may safely eat cheese, but they should only be given small quantities. Cheese doesn’t really have many health benefits, and it’s high in fat. So, moderation is key, and overweight dogs shouldn’t eat any cheese.
Some dogs can also be lactose-intolerant, so even if they enjoy eating cheese, it can cause them to get sick. Dogs also shouldn’t eat blue cheese, Roquefort cheese, goat cheese, brie, feta, or any cheese with herbs and other flavorings. These cheeses can contain ingredients that are harmful or toxic to dogs, such as garlic powder.
Final Thoughts
It’s nearly impossible to resist your dog’s begging eyes while preparing a Christmas dish. Fortunately, there are plenty of ingredients that dogs can eat safely while you cook. Just remember to feed them unseasoned foods, and when in doubt, give your dog something cooked rather than a raw ingredient. Remember to consult your veterinarian first if you’re planning to feed your dog any Christmas foods that are not included on this list.
See Also:
- Can Dogs Eat Roast Beef? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQs
- Can Dogs Eat Cranberries? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: robertos0621, Shutterstock
The 10 Christmas Foods Your Dog Can Eat
