What to include in your dog’s Christmas dinner
That smell of Turkey drifting from the oven, freshly made gravy ready to pour and pigs in blankets cooking.... your dog’s mouth must be watering. And rightly so! A Christmas dinner is for the whole family, and that includes your furry friend patiently (or buoyantly) waiting for a few crumbs from your roast.
However, making a safe and tasty Christmas dinner for your dog is easy! Whether you choose to add flair with specialist dog treats or just set aside a small portion from your Christmas dinner, there’s plenty of ingredients that are healthy and safe for dogs to eat.
In this article:
- Is it safe to give your dog a Christmas dinner?
- What parts of a Christmas dinner can dogs eat?
- What to avoid in your dog’s Christmas dinner
- The ultimate dog Christmas dinner recipe
- Do you need to buy special ingredients for your dog?
- Christmas-Themed Dog Treats
- What to give puppies and senior dogs
- FAQs
- Get your dog ready for Christmas
Is it safe to give your dog a Christmas dinner?
Yes, it is safe to give your dog a Christmas dinner, and they’ll love you even more for it. However, it is important to use ingredients that are safe for dogs to eat. This means avoiding too much seasoning, rich sauces or high fat ingredients that could be unhealthy for your dog or cause digestion issues.
Veterinarians recommend plain, lean meats and simple veggies for dogs to eat and if your dog has a sensitive stomach or allergies, make sure to avoid foods that could trigger this.
What parts of a Christmas dinner can dogs eat?
There are several parts of the Christmas dinner which, in moderation, dogs are fine to eat:
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Carrots
- Peas
- Brussels sprouts
- Mashed potato (no butter or milk)
- Green beans
- Cranberry sauce
- Parsnips
- Broccoli
- Swede
- Red cabbage
What to avoid in your dog’s Christmas dinner
Not all foods will cause big problems for dogs, but they are best to be avoided, whilst some ingredients are simply not okay for your dog’s digestive system. Some foods which should be avoided include:
- Yorkshire puddings
- Gravy
- Cauliflower cheese
- Roast potatoes
- Pigs in blankets
Food that is toxic for dogs to eat includes:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Crisps
- Christmas cake
- Christmas pudding
- Chocolate logs (or any sort of chocolate)
- Stuffing
- Blue cheese
- Pate
- Mince pies
The ultimate dog Christmas dinner recipe
So, how can you make a delicious Christmas dinner for your dog, that’s safe to eat and still relatively healthy? We’ve put together our recommended recipe below to make sure your dog doesn’t miss out.
Lean protein
- 50-75g of cooked turkey breast
You can’t have your Christmas dinner without some protein. Turkey can be swapped for chicken and salmon, but make sure it doesn’t include skin, bones, oil or seasoning. Turkey, chicken and salmon are all ideal choices, being gentle on the stomach and lower in fat.
Dog friendly veggies
Most veg are healthy and suitable options for dogs. This can include:
- 30g carrots, steamed or boiled
- 25-30g parsnips, peeled and sliced, then steamed or boiled
- 30g green beans, trimmed and cooked
- 20-25g peas, lightly boiled or steamed
- 40g sweet potato, boiled and mashed, with no butter or milk
Veg is high in fibre and nutrients, without adding unnecessary calories, making it a great addition to your Christmas dinner.
Healthy extras
Not only do these special additions add flavour to your dog's Christmas dinner, they also support with their overall health.
- 1 tsp salmon oil (optional, for skin and coat)
- 1 tbsp cooked brown rice (optional, for extra fibre)
Festive toppings & extras
With a huge selection of dog treats available, you can always find healthy options to add the final festive touch to a Christmas dinner. Just some of the great choices include:
- Lung food topper, sprinkled on top
- Turkey & stuffing Christmas mini sausages, cut
- Pure turkey strips, cut and crushed
These all make fantastic final additions, and whilst it may not be your classic pigs in blankets, our Christmas-themed mini sausages are the perfect treat to add to your Christmas dinner.
Example Christmas dinner bowl for your dog
- 50g Turkey breast
- 10g steamed carrots
- 5g peas
- 10g sweet potato mash
- 10g green beans
- 1 tsp salmon oil
- 2 turkey & stuffing Christmas mini sausages
Christmas day desserts for dogs
And once their Christmas dinner is scoffed down, it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the ideal after dinner dessert! The Christmas Yule log is made with 100% natural ingredients and will keep your dog stimulated with its long lasting properties. So whilst you’re nibbling on turkey leftovers, your pup can chew on the Christmas yule log.
Shop the T.Forrest Christmas Yule Log
Do you need to buy special ingredients for your dog?
Whilst some specialist ingredients may be needed if your dog has specific allergies or dietary requirements, usually this is not needed. By setting aside a portion of food with your normal Christmas dinner, creating a mini meal for your dog is usually pretty easy.
It can always be improved with additional treats and special extras, but you’ll be okay working with what you’ve got!
Christmas-themed dog treats
If you’re looking to reward your dog this Christmas and keep them busy chewing going well into the new year there are a range of Christmas-themed dog treats available. This includes:
Christmas meat filled bones: Available in Turkey or Goose meat filling
Christmas jumbo sausages: Available in Pork & Apple or Turkey & Stuffing flavours
Christmas mini sausages: Available in Pork & Apple or Turkey & Stuffing flavours
Christmas yule log: Made from natural beef trachea with a delicious meaty recipe
What to give puppies and senior dogs
Puppies can have a small portion of Christmas dinner, with plain cooked turkey and a mix of veg. Make sure to avoid toxic ingredients as well as any foods that we recommend being avoided. Treat suggestions are also suitable for puppies aged over 3 months.
Older dogs can also enjoy your Christmas dinner, but make sure this is free from high fat foods which could cause digestive issues. Foods that support your dog's overall health, energy levels and joint health are ideal for senior dogs.
FAQS
Can dogs have gravy?
Dogs should not have gravy, especially gravy that could include onion, garlic or alcohol which is toxic to dogs. It's also crammed full of salt, so whilst you may think a small amount is harmless, it’s best to be avoided.
Can dogs have Yorkshire puddings?
Yorkshire puddings are made with high fat and salt content, which can lead to digestive issues for dogs. For this reason, they should be avoided when making your dog’s Christmas dinner.
Are there any meats dogs shouldn’t eat?
Whilst air dried treats made that meat that are 100% natural, some processed meats should not be eaten by dogs as it can cause digestive issues, as well as larger health problems for meats that are high in fat. This includes:
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Ham
- Cooked bones
- Seasoned meats
- Raw or undercooked fish
- Goose & duck should also be avoided due to high fat content
Can dogs eat Christmas pudding?
Traditional Christmas pudding is bad for dogs and should be avoided. It can also include dried fruit such as raisins which is toxic to dogs. However, you can find dog-safe Christmas puddings online.
Can dogs eat Christmas cake?
Similar to Christmas puddings, dogs cannot eat Christmas cake, and it can again include dried fruit which is toxic. Other non-traditional Christmas cakes should also not be given to dogs.
Get your dog ready for Christmas
Make sure your home is ready for friends, family and pets and get prepped with Christmas dog treats and all the ingredients needed for an ultimate Christmas dinner. For 100% natural dog treats, order online at T.Forrest.
