From Brussel Sprouts to Turkey Bones: How to keep pets safe this Christmas

Every Christmas, as turkeys roast and pigs in blankets sizzle, one age-old question echoes through households across the globe: “Can I give this to my pet?”

This year, curiosity is at an all-time high, with global Google searches for “Pet Christmas dinner” having surged 231% in the past month as families plan the big day and try to include their four-legged loved ones in the festivities.

To keep pets safe (and sitters stress-free), the team at TrustedHousesitters has created the ultimate guide to what you can and can’t feed animals this holiday season. From dogs, cats and rabbits to goldfish, goats and even alpacas – every Christmas companion is covered.

The Christmas foods you should NEVER give your pets
TrustedHousesitters has crunched the numbers and pulled together a list of 17 of the most common animals their users pet sit for and 20 classic Christmas dinner items to help pet owners and sitters know exactly what’s safe and what’s not:

701d243f67bbd90705082d071234719

Onions and garlic: Found in stuffing, gravy, roast vegetables, and Yorkshire puddings, these staples are toxic to dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and most other animals.
Raisins and grapes: A festive must in mince pies, Christmas pudding, and stollen – but can cause severe poisoning, particularly in dogs.
Chocolate: From advent calendars to dessert boards, chocolate is extremely toxic for pets, especially dogs and parrots.
Rich, fatty foods: Gravy, pigs in blankets, goose fat, and turkey skin may delight humans, but they can trigger pancreatitis in dogs and cats, a potentially life-threatening emergency.
Bones (especially cooked poultry bones): Despite being a common treat for pets, bones splinter easily and can pose serious choking or internal injury risks, so they are better avoided.

Top tip: If it’s seasoned, sweet, glazed, boozy, oily or rich – it’s not pet food, you should avoid feeding it to your four-legged friends.

The Christmas treats that safe to share with your furry friends
Dogs 🐶🍗🥕

With global Google searches for “can dogs eat Brussels sprouts” up 401% in the past month, it’s clear pet owners are wondering what’s safe for their furry friends this Christmas.

While the majority of Dogs would jump at the opportunity of a Christmas feast, only a few treats are safe: plain turkey, cooked carrot, a small piece of potato, and even steamed, unseasoned Brussels sprouts. Everything else – stuffing, pigs in blankets, gravy, chocolate, and mince pies – stays firmly on the human side.

Top serving tip: Serve just a tablespoon or two of turkey or veg, depending on your dog’s size. Think of it as a festive nibble, not a full plate.

Cats 🐱🍗🥕

It’s clear cat owners are also checking what’s safe for their curious companions this Christmas, as global Google searches for “can cats eat turkey” have surged by 303% in the past month.

Cats can enjoy a tiny piece of plain turkey breast, or a teaspoon of plain veg or potato, but turkey skin, stuffing, gravy, ham, dairy, and anything with garlic or onion is a no-go. Even the sneakiest pigs in blankets aren’t worth a tummy upset.

Top serving tip: Keep it to a teaspoon-sized taste – enough to let them join the fun without upsetting their delicate stomachs.

Rabbits, Hamsters and Guinea Pigs 🐰🐹🥕

If these little creatures ran Christmas, the menu would be all raw veggies. They can happily nibble carrots, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and herbs – chopped small and fed in moderation. Keep it plain, keep it tiny, and keep it safe: no roast potatoes, cooked/starchy foods, stuffing, gravy, meat, cheese, chocolate, or dessert crumbs.

Top serving tip: Serve fingernail-sized pieces only – a fresh veggie platter is their festive treat of choice, keeping them included in the cheer without upsetting tummies.

Expert advice for a worry-free festive season
Dr Joanna Woodnutt (BVM BVS BVMedSci MRCVS) commented: “Even foods that are generally safe can upset a pet’s tummy if introduced suddenly. Start with tiny portions, observe their reaction, and avoid offering anything new if the pet has known digestive sensitivities. Prevention is always easier than cure, so politely keep pets away from the dinner table, low coffee tables with plates, and gift bags containing chocolate.

“Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for preventable pet emergencies, most of which are caused by well-meaning sharing of festive foods. If a pet does eat something toxic – like chocolate, raisins, or large amounts of onion or garlic – follow these steps immediately:

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear
Identify what and how much was eaten
Contact an emergency vet immediately and inform the owner
Keep any packaging or recipe details for reference

“With just a little awareness, sitters and owners can easily enjoy a safe, happy, worry-free holiday with the animals they love.”