What Christmas food can be harmful to pets?
Learn about the Christmas foods that can be harmful to pets. Keep your dog or cat safe this festive season with Tesco Pet Insurance.
Published: 11 December 2025
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Paws off the festive food and drink!
Want to give your dog or cat a tasty treat at Christmas? You’re not alone. Our research shows that owners like to give their pets something extra at this time of year. Including sweet treats, meaty morsels and leftovers from the dinner table.
- 24% say their pets have eaten chocolate*24% say their pets have eaten chocolate*
- 9% say their pets have eaten mince pies or Christmas puddings*9% say their pets have eaten mince pies or Christmas puddings*
- 14% say their pets have eaten turkey bones*14% say their pets have eaten turkey bones*
While it might seem like spoiling you dog or cat is fine during the festive season, you could be doing them more harm than good. Human food can have serious side effects for cats and dogs. And some foods can even be fatal.
Here’s the Tesco Pet Insurance guide to what your cat or dog can and can’t eat this Christmas.
Can dogs eat Christmas dinner?
Some plain foods are fine for dogs in small amounts, but many festive extras can be harmful.
A safer dinner plate for your dog
Here’s the kind of Christmas dinner your dog can have, if you want to include them in the festivities.
- Plain, cooked turkey meat - no skin, no bones, no seasoningPlain, cooked turkey meat - no skin, no bones, no seasoning
- Plain veg - like carrots, green beans, peas or broccoliPlain veg - like carrots, green beans, peas or broccoli
Foods to avoid giving your dog this Christmas
- Cooked bones - either turkey or chicken. They can splinter, which can cause choking or internal damage.Cooked bones - either turkey or chicken. They can splinter, which can cause choking or internal damage.
- Stuffing, gravy and sauces - these often contain onions, garlic, leeks or chives. And they can damage your dog’s red blood cells.Stuffing, gravy and sauces - these often contain onions, garlic, leeks or chives. And they can damage your dog’s red blood cells.
- Grapes and raisins - they can be toxic to dogs.Grapes and raisins - they can be toxic to dogs.
- Chocolate, alcohol, macadamia nuts and rich or fatty foods (like pigs in blankets). These can cause anything from tummy upsets to something more serious.Chocolate, alcohol, macadamia nuts and rich or fatty foods (like pigs in blankets). These can cause anything from tummy upsets to something more serious.
- Cheese in large amounts - 30% of owners say their pets have eaten cheese*, but too much can trigger stomach issues.Cheese in large amounts - 30% of owners say their pets have eaten cheese*, but too much can trigger stomach issues.
Top tip for your dog’s Christmas dinner
Make a small, dog-safe plate with plain turkey and veg - then stop there.
- No bonesNo bones
- No sweetsNo sweets
- No boozy treatsNo boozy treats
Is chocolate bad for dogs?
In the wrong quantities, some types of chocolate can be dangerous for dogs. And because chocolate is more common at Christmas, it can pose a greater risk to dogs that can’t resist it.
- Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can be toxic for dogs. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous.Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can be toxic for dogs. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous.
- The risk depends on your dog’s size, the type of chocolate and how much they eat. The risk depends on your dog’s size, the type of chocolate and how much they eat.
- Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, shaking, a fast heart rate or seizures. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, shaking, a fast heart rate or seizures.
- Call your vet straight away if your dog has eaten milk chocolate or plain chocolate.Call your vet straight away if your dog has eaten milk chocolate or plain chocolate.
- Keep chocolate well out of reach to be on the safe side.Keep chocolate well out of reach to be on the safe side.
Mince pies and dogs
Mince pies and Christmas puddings aren’t dog-friendly. So keep them hidden away and don’t dish them out as a festive treat.
- Mince pies and Christmas puddings often contain raisins, sultanas and currants, which can cause kidney failure in dogs.Mince pies and Christmas puddings often contain raisins, sultanas and currants, which can cause kidney failure in dogs.
- If your dog eats any of these dried fruits, call your vet straight away. Even small amounts can be dangerous.If your dog eats any of these dried fruits, call your vet straight away. Even small amounts can be dangerous.
What other food is bad for dogs?
It can be hard to resist those sad, puppy-dog eyes. But you’ll be doing it for their good. Watching what you dog eats can help to keep them healthy and happy in the long run.
Learn more in our guide - What food is bad for dogs?
Can you make Christmas dinner for cats?
Cats can have a tiny festive dish. But keep it plain and simple.
A safer dinner plate for your cat
Here’s the kind of Christmas dinner your cat can have, if you want to include them in the festivities.
- Plain, cooked turkey meat - no skin, no bones, no seasoningPlain, cooked turkey meat - no skin, no bones, no seasoning
- A spoonful of plain, cooked white fish - no bones, no seasoningA spoonful of plain, cooked white fish - no bones, no seasoning
- A few bites of plain cooked veg - like carrot or green beans, if your cat will eat themA few bites of plain cooked veg - like carrot or green beans, if your cat will eat them
Foods to avoid giving your cat this Christmas
- Cooked bones - either turkey or chicken. They can splinter, which can cause choking or internal damage in cats.Cooked bones - either turkey or chicken. They can splinter, which can cause choking or internal damage in cats.
- Stuffing, gravy and sauces - these often contain onions, garlic, leeks or chives. And they can damage your cat’s red blood cellsStuffing, gravy and sauces - these often contain onions, garlic, leeks or chives. And they can damage your cat’s red blood cells
- Chocolate and alcohol - both are toxic to catsChocolate and alcohol - both are toxic to cats
- Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants - these should be avoided completelyGrapes, raisins, sultanas and currants - these should be avoided completely
- Rich or fatty foods (like skin, crackling or pigs in blankets) - they can upset a cat’s stomach or cause something much more seriousRich or fatty foods (like skin, crackling or pigs in blankets) - they can upset a cat’s stomach or cause something much more serious
- Cheese, cream and other dairy - you might think a saucer of milk is a staple of a cat’s diet, but many cats - especially older ones - are lactose intolerantCheese, cream and other dairy - you might think a saucer of milk is a staple of a cat’s diet, but many cats - especially older ones - are lactose intolerant
- Very salty or heavily seasoned foodsVery salty or heavily seasoned foods
Top tip for your cat’s Christmas dinner
Make a tiny, cat-safe plate - a few pieces of plain turkey or white fish is plenty. Fresh water only. If your cat eats something they shouldn’t, call your vet straight away.
Is chocolate bad for cats?
Chocolate is a definite no for cats. Even a small amount can cause serious problems.
- Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic for cats. As with dogs, dark chocolate is the most dangerous.Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic for cats. As with dogs, dark chocolate is the most dangerous.
- Cats are less likely to go looking for chocolate. But if they do, call your vet straight away.Cats are less likely to go looking for chocolate. But if they do, call your vet straight away.
- Symptoms include restlessness, vomiting, rapid breathing or seizures.Symptoms include restlessness, vomiting, rapid breathing or seizures.
What other food is bad for cats?
It’s tempting to treat your little furball, but human foods can be harmful. And some can even be fatal for cats.
Learn more in our guide - What food is bad for cats?
Other Christmas hazards to watch out for
It’s not just food that can pose a risk to your pet. Decorations and gifts can be dangerous too.
In our research, 3 out of 5 owners say their pets have chewed or eaten their personal belongings*. That includes shoes, clothes, children’s toys and even the furniture.
These things can often lead to a pet insurance claim. Our claims data shows that ‘foreign body - gastric claims’ amount to an average of £1,453 for dogs and £1,166 for cats**.
You know your cat or dog better than anybody. Maybe they like to have fun ripping up wrapping paper or tearing apart a cardboard box. But it might be best to keep decorations, ribbons and small toys out of reach.
No festive spirits for cats and dogs
It probably goes without saying, but you shouldn’t give your cat or dog any kind of alcohol at Christmas or any other time of the year.
Even in small amounts, it can cause disorientation, vomiting and, in severe cases, liver or brain damage, which can result in death.
Our specialist says:
“Christmas is a time for tasty treats and big family dinners. But pets can sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. This can lead to vomiting, poisoning, or items getting stuck in their throat or stomach.
With the busy festive season coming up, make sure food is stored in the fridge or cupboards. Keep belongings out of reach too. A little care now can help avoid an emergency trip to the vet.”
Alex Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Insurance
What to do if your pet eats something harmful
Act fast and get expert advice.
- Don’t wait - call your vet straight away. Tell them what your cat or dog ate, how much and when.Don’t wait - call your vet straight away. Tell them what your cat or dog ate, how much and when.
- Don’t try to make your pet sick - a vet will usually advise against this.Don’t try to make your pet sick - a vet will usually advise against this.
- Keep any packaging to hand - it’ll help your vet assess the risk.Keep any packaging to hand - it’ll help your vet assess the risk.
Please note, this information is for general guidance. You should always follow your vet’s advice.
Avoid the emergency vet - and an expensive vet bill
You want to give your cat or dog a treat, it’s only natural. They’re one of the family after all. But the last thing you want at Christmas is to be rushing your pet to the vet.
If your dog or cat does get sick, pet insurance can help to give you peace of mind, knowing they’ll be well looked-after - and that you won’t end up with a huge bill you have to pay yourself.
Learn how pet insurance can help in our guide - The benefits of pet insurance.
Finding pet insurance for cats and dogs
We know how important it is to find the right pet insurance, so you can give your cat or dog the care they deserve.
With Tesco Pet Insurance you can choose from 3 different types of cover. And if you insure more than one pet with us, you’ll get a multi pet discount on each policy.
The benefits of Tesco Pet Insurance
These are just some of the benefits with Tesco Pet Insurance.
- Cover for any age of cat or dog. We provide pet insurance from 8 weeks old to very old. There’s no upper age limit.Cover for any age of cat or dog
We provide pet insurance from 8 weeks old to very old. There’s no upper age limit. - 24/7 vetfone helpline. Get advice for your pet by phone or video call, whenever you need it. From behavioural and nutritional issues to age-related medical problems.24/7 vetfone helpline
Get advice for your pet by phone or video call, whenever you need it. From behavioural and nutritional issues to age-related medical problems. - Multi pet discount. Take out cover for more than one cat or dog and get a discount on each pet insurance policy you buy. Terms and conditions apply.Multi pet discount
Take out cover for more than one cat or dog and get a discount on each pet insurance policy you buy. Terms and conditions apply. - Clubcard Prices. Save money on all Tesco Pet Insurance policies with your Clubcard.Clubcard Prices
Save money on all Tesco Pet Insurance policies with your Clubcard.
Refer a friend - and get a Tesco Gift Card
Refer a friend if you’re a Tesco Pet Insurance customer. And you’ll both get a £30 Tesco Gift Card as part of our pet insurance rewards. T&Cs apply.
Help for Pet Insurance customers
Find out how to manage your policy or make a claim if you have Tesco Pet Insurance.
Important information
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd.
vetfone is provided by Vetsdirect Ltd.
You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
About our research
*An online survey was conducted by WALR among cat and dog owners. Fieldwork took place from 8-13 October 2025. Data was collected in line with MRS (Market Research Society) and ESOMAR guidelines, to make sure it was done ethically and accurately.
**Tesco Pet Insurance claims data, 2024
Learn more about Pet Insurance for cats and dogs
Find cover for your four-legged friend and save money with your Clubcard. Choose Lifetime Pet Insurance, Maximum Benefit or Time Limited.