Christmas Foods You Can Share With Your Dog

Christmas dinner is the highlight of the festive calendar, a magnificent spread of turkey, sprouts, potatoes, and gravy. As you tuck into your plate, it’s only natural for your furry best friend to be gazing up at you with those irresistible puppy-dog eyes. We all want to include our dogs in the family celebrations, but the question every pet owner asks is: which Christmas foods are safe for dogs?

It’s crucial to know that many traditional British staples are actually toxic or dangerous for our canine companions. However, with a little preparation and careful selection, you can safely treat your dog to a few healthy, human-grade morsels.

Your Dog’s Safe Christmas Dinner Plate: Keep it Plain!

When it comes to sharing human food, the golden rule for dogs is plain, plain, plain! Any food you give your dog must be unseasoned, unbuttered, and cooked simply.

1. Turkey Meat

The star of the show can be shared, but only the right part!

• Safe: Small amounts of cooked, lean, white turkey meat (the breast).
• Crucial Rule: It must be completely boneless and skinless. The skin is far too fatty and can cause severe stomach upset or even trigger pancreatitis. Cooked bones are brittle and can splinter, causing a serious choking hazard or internal damage.

2. Vegetables

Many of the healthy greens on your plate are perfectly safe, provided they are served plain.

• Carrots (boiled or steamed)
• Parsnips (boiled or steamed, not roasted in oil or honey)
• Brussels Sprouts (boiled or steamed, in moderation—they can cause wind!)
• Green Beans (boiled or steamed)
• Peas (boiled or steamed)

Tip: Vegetables like carrots are full of fibre and vitamins, making them a healthy, low-calorie treat.

3. Potatoes

You can give your dog a small serving of potato, but you need to bypass those glorious, fat-soaked roasties.

• Safe: Small amounts of plain, boiled or mashed potato (mash must have absolutely no butter, milk, cream, or salt added).
• Avoid: Roast potatoes, as they are cooked in excessive fat, which is hard on a dog’s digestive system.

4. Cranberry Sauce

A tiny taste of this festive accompaniment can be okay, but check the label first!

• Safe: A very small amount of pure cranberry sauce that contains no xylitol (a highly toxic sweetener), grapes, raisins, or nuts.
• Moderation is key due to the sugar content.

The Best Alternative: A True Dog-Friendly Christmas Dinner

If the thought of carefully preparing tiny portions of plain food, completely separate from your main dinner prep, seems a bit too much on an already busy Christmas Day, there is a perfect, stress-free alternative.

Why not treat your best pal to a dedicated, high-quality meal that’s already complete and balanced?

COYA Pet's Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Food: The Ideal Festive Meal

For a Christmas dinner that is genuinely healthy, safe, and tastes incredible, we highly recommend COYA Pet's Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Food.

COYA's Turkey Recipe is the ultimate festive substitute, offering a raw-equivalent meal with all the flavour and goodness, but none of the fuss. It's a fantastic, complete, and balanced food made right here in the UK.

Why COYA is the Perfect Christmas Treat:

• High-Quality Protein: Made with 80% turkey, providing lean, easily digestible protein without the fatty skin or dangerous bones found on your roast.
• Dog-Safe Vegetables & Fruit: It’s formulated with wholesome ingredients like sweet potato, carrot, and pumpkin, which are all excellent, fibre-rich, dog-safe alternatives to your roasted vegetables—and they’re already perfectly prepared!
• Raw Nutrition, Zero Hassle: The freeze-drying process locks in all the natural nutrients and flavour of raw food, meaning you can simply pour it into your dog’s bowl (no cooking or defrosting required!), giving them a festive feast that is far healthier than any table scraps.
• Grain-Free & Hypoallergenic: Perfect for dogs with sensitive tummies, ensuring a happy, healthy digestion on Christmas Day.

This year, give your dog a truly special, safe, and nutritionally sound dinner. Whether you choose a few plain, carefully selected scraps or opt for the complete, convenient goodness of COYA Pet's Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Food, you can ensure your dog enjoys the holiday as much as you do!

Top Tip for a Safe Christmas Day

Remember that even a small amount of new food can cause an upset tummy. Always introduce new treats, even safe ones, slowly and in very small quantities.

The most important thing is to keep all toxic human foods—especially chocolate, grapes, and mince pies—securely out of your dog’s reach. A safe and happy dog makes for a joyful Christmas for the whole family!