Christmas Foods and Decorations That Harm Dogs and Cats

Chocolate is the most commonly reported type of dog poisoning reported to the VPIS, and Christmas is when most of it is in the house¹. It contains theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to cats, dogs and other pets, and the RSPCA's advice is simple: never give chocolate to your pet². Dark chocolate and cocoa are the most dangerous because they contain more theobromine than milk chocolate, while white chocolate carries a much smaller risk².

Chocolate is not the only festive hazard. Alcohol is toxic to pets and turns up in drinks and in household products such as mouthwash, perfume, aftershave, cologne and glue⁴. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants contain toxins that are potentially fatal to dogs, and in severe cases can cause kidney failure⁴. Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in sugar-free chewing gum, sweets and some nut butters, is extremely harmful to dogs and can be fatal if eaten⁴.

The practical answer is to treat the Christmas house as a series of small risks to be closed off: chocolates and cakes out of reach, glasses cleared away, bins lidded, and pets kept away from the tree, the presents and the party food. Most of what follows is about knowing which items matter, what a poisoned pet looks like, and what to do if the worst happens.

Chocolate is the most common cause of dog poisoning

Chocolate poisoning is the most commonly reported type of dog poisoning reported to the VPIS, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service¹. That single fact explains why so much festive advice centres on it: chocolate is everywhere in December, in advent calendars, selection boxes, tree decorations, cakes and gifts, and dogs are good at finding it.

The risk is not limited to dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that can be fatal to dogs, cats and rabbits, and the darker the chocolate the higher the risk⁴. The RSPCA's guidance is to keep pets away from any foods containing chocolate, such as cakes, sweets, cookies and cocoa powder⁴. For rodents, the same chemical is described as a powerful stimulant similar to caffeine, which is poisonous to them, and dark chocolate and cocoa contain high levels of it³.

Two other festive foods deserve the same care. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants contain toxins that are potentially fatal to dogs, and in severe cases toxicity can cause kidney failure, so call your vet if you suspect your dog has eaten them⁴. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is extremely harmful to dogs and can be fatal if eaten; it is found in sugar-free chewing gum, sweets, medications, some nut butters and nicotine replacement chewing gums, and may be listed on a label as "birch sugar"⁴. The RSPCA's instruction is blunt: never feed your pets any foods that contain xylitol².

Why dark chocolate and cocoa are the most dangerous

Not all chocolate carries the same risk. Dark chocolate is the most toxic, as it contains more theobromine than milk chocolate, and white chocolate has a much smaller risk². Cocoa powder and cocoa mulch sit at the top of the scale: the RSPCA lists dark chocolate, cocoa mulch and cocoa as containing high levels of theobromine¹.

That matters in two places at Christmas. In the kitchen, cocoa powder used for baking and hot drinks is a concentrated source, and the RSPCA advises keeping pets away from any foods containing cocoa powder⁴. In the garden, cocoa mulch used on borders is the same hazard in a form a dog may sniff and eat. If you use it, keep pets away from newly mulched beds.

The other common source is medication. Tablets, capsules, liquid medication and medicinal hot drink cold and flu remedies contain dangerous substances for pets, including vitamins, painkillers, antihistamines and caffeine². A pet that chews a blister pack or laps a mug of cold remedy is taking in more than the active ingredient.

Signs of chocolate poisoning: vomiting, a racing heart and seizures

The signs of chocolate poisoning reflect the stimulant in it. The RSPCA lists vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, hyperactivity, high temperature and blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm and tremors¹. In rabbits, chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, increased heart rate, restlessness, tremors, seizures and lethargy if ingested⁶.

If you see any of these after a pet has had access to chocolate, treats or the bin, treat it as urgent and contact your vet. The same principle applies to other festive poisons. Rat and mouse poisons can cause bleeding, as many of the poisons prevent clotting, along with coughing, vomiting and seizures⁴. Blue cheese contains a substance called Roquefortine C that is toxic for pets, with symptoms including tremors and seizures that can last days². Onions, garlic, leeks and chives can cause anaemia in severe cases of poisoning in dogs and cats⁴.

For more on the specific signs and what to do, see chocolate poisoning in dogs and rat poison and pets.

Alcohol is toxic to pets, in drinks and household products

Alcohol is toxic to pets and can be found in some household products, including mouthwash, perfume, aftershave, cologne and glue⁴. At Christmas the drinks themselves are the obvious risk: a half-finished glass on the floor, a punch bowl within reach of a curious dog, or a spilled drink under the table.

The RSPCA's advice for the party is to keep pets away from Christmas cakes, mince pies, unsalted nuts, savoury snacks and grated cheese left out for wildlife⁷. The same care applies to the drinks: clear glasses away as you go rather than at the end of the night, and keep bottles closed and out of reach.

There is a second reason to clear up promptly. Small amounts of alcohol can be harmful to children, so clear up any glasses⁵. The same instruction protects both the toddler and the dog.

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in dogs and cats

The signs of alcohol poisoning in pets can look like drunkenness. In cats, antifreeze poisoning produces signs that include seeming depressed or sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordinated, seizures (fits) and difficulty breathing². In dogs, the signs include seeming depressed or sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordinated, seizures, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst and urination, a complete lack of urination 12 to 24 hours after ingestion, vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of appetite, coma and kidney failure⁹.

Antifreeze is a particular danger in winter, and poisoning in cats and dogs can cause kidney failure, which can be fatal; it is also sometimes found in snow globes². Very little antifreeze can be toxic to dogs, and death can follow sometimes within 24 to 72 hours¹⁰. If you suspect your pet has swallowed antifreeze, contact your vet immediately.

Clearing up glasses and food after a party

The clean-up is where most of these risks are closed off. Clear glasses, plates and bowls as the evening goes on, not the morning after. Put chocolates, cakes and nuts into sealed containers and into a cupboard a pet cannot open. Take the bin out, or at least put a lid on it, before you go to bed.

If a pet does get into something, the same hygiene rules that protect people apply to the clean-up. NHS Inform advises disinfecting any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated, using a bleach-based household cleaner, and washing contaminated clothing or bedding separately on a hot wash¹¹. Flush away poo or vomit and clean the surrounding area¹¹.

Outdoors, the winter hazards continue. Grit or rock salt can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats if ingested¹². The RSPCA advises thoroughly wiping your pet's paws, legs, tummy and fur after being outside, and washing affected areas with mild pet-safe shampoo and warm water if there are signs of discomfort⁷. For cats, thoroughly wipe down their paws and tummy to remove any antifreeze and rock salt, which is poisonous to cats¹³. For dogs, dry the dog off after a walk and thoroughly wipe down their paws and tummy to remove grit, antifreeze and rock salt, which are poisonous to dogs⁹.

Decorations, plants and the Christmas tree

The tree itself is a low-level hazard rather than a severe one. Christmas trees are of low toxicity, but their pines and oils can cause mouth pain, excess salivation, vomiting or diarrhoea². Needles can embed in paws, and the water in the stand can become contaminated⁷.

Some plants are more serious. The RSPCA lists plants that can cause much more serious symptoms in pets, including Autumn Crocus, Azalea and Rhododendron, Cotoneaster, Cordyline and Dracaena, Daffodil, Dumbcane, Horse Chestnut, Oak, Potato plants, Yew, Mushrooms and Fungi, and Giant Hogweed⁴. Daffodils, especially the bulbs, are toxic to dogs¹⁴. For more, see garden and house plants that are poisonous to dogs and cats.

Small furries need their own care. Don't put tinsel around cages, and keep fairy lights and electrical cables out of reach to prevent small pets from nibbling objects². Batteries contain strong acids, and if a pet eats a battery it could cause burns to their mouth, throat and stomach, as well as difficulties breathing and swallowing⁴.

Christmas cards, reindeer food and glitter

Shop-bought reindeer food is a festive tradition with a hidden risk: many shop or website versions contain ingredients that can be dangerous for animals, particularly edible glitter⁷. If children make reindeer food at home, keep it to bird-friendly ingredients and scatter it where pets cannot reach it.

The RSPCA removed glitter and foil from its FSC certified Christmas cards in 2019 to make them more environmentally friendly⁷. That is a useful prompt for households with pets: cards, wrapping paper and decorations that shed glitter or foil are best kept off the floor.

Where to get help

If you think your pet has eaten something poisonous, contact your vet immediately, including out of hours. For guidance on finding a vet when your own practice is closed, see emergency vets: out-of-hours care.

For the wider picture on keeping pets safe through winter, see pets in cold weather, snow and ice and antifreeze poisoning in cats and dogs. If you are planning for a power cut or a storm over the holidays, including your pets in a household emergency plan sets out what to prepare.