Safe Holiday Treats for Dogs: What to Give Instead of Table Food
Holiday foods can be rich, sugary, salty, or unsafe for dogs. Learn which simple treats and chews can help your dog feel included without risking table-scrap trouble.
The holidays come with rich foods, sugary desserts, dropped bites, and well-meaning guests — but many festive foods are not safe for dogs.
Chocolate, cookies, gravy, stuffing, bones, alcohol, raisins, onions, garlic, and fatty scraps can all create serious problems for dogs. Even foods that seem harmless can cause stomach upset when they are seasoned, buttered, sweetened, or served in large amounts.
The safer approach is simple: keep your dog away from table food and offer dog-friendly treats with clear ingredients instead. For more seasonal guidance, read our guide to safe holiday foods and what dogs should avoid.
Quick rule: if a holiday food is seasoned, sweetened, fatty, chocolate-based, or contains onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, alcohol, or xylitol, keep it away from your dog.
What Holiday Treats Are Safe for Dogs?
The safest holiday treats for dogs are treats made specifically for dogs, served in small portions, and chosen based on your dog’s size, digestion, allergies, and chewing style.
Simple treats are usually easier to manage during busy gatherings because you know exactly what your dog is eating. They also make it easier to tell guests, “Please only give this treat.”
Dog-Specific Treats
Treats made for dogs are easier to portion and safer than modified table food.
Holiday Table Scraps
Rich, salty, sugary, fatty, or seasoned foods can quickly upset your dog’s stomach or worse.
Sweet Potato Slices
A simple plant-based treat option that feels seasonal without the butter, sugar, spices, or table-scrap risk.
- Simple everyday snack
- Great for light chewers
- Easy treat tracking
What Christmas Treats Can Dogs Have?
Dogs can enjoy festive treats as long as the ingredients stay simple and dog-safe. Think small portions, no added sugar, no chocolate, no seasoning, no sauces, and no rich table scraps.
Good holiday treat options include soft jerky-style treats, simple plant-based treats, light protein rewards, and natural chews that redirect your dog away from the dining table.
Chicken Jerky Dog Treats
A savory protein treat option for dogs who tolerate chicken and need a special reward during holiday gatherings.
- Protein-packed reward
- Easy to break into pieces
- Great for chicken-loving dogs
Holiday Foods That May Be Safe in Small Portions
Some plain holiday ingredients may be safe for many dogs in small amounts, but only when they are unseasoned and free from butter, sauces, onion, garlic, sugar, and unsafe add-ins.
Even safe foods can cause stomach upset if your dog eats too much or is not used to them. When in doubt, skip the table food and use a dog treat instead.
Holiday portion tip: the 90/10 rule still applies. Most calories should come from complete dog food, not holiday extras.
Holiday Foods Dogs Should Avoid
Holiday danger often comes from foods left on counters, guests sharing scraps, or dropped bites under the table. Keep these away from dogs.
Call your vet or pet poison helpline urgently if your dog eats chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, alcohol, bones, large amounts of fatty food, or anything that may be toxic.
Holiday-Friendly Chews to Offer Instead of Table Food
During gatherings, it helps to give your dog something planned and safe while everyone else eats. This can reduce begging, keep guests from feeding scraps, and give your dog a positive way to participate.
Choose treats that match your dog’s chewing style and digestion. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, stick with familiar treats instead of introducing something brand new during a party.
Cow Ears for Dogs
A light natural chew option for supervised holiday downtime when your dog needs something better than table scraps.
- Rawhide-free chew
- Crunchy texture dogs love
- Great for supervised chew time
Beef Lung Bites
A light, protein-focused reward for quick holiday training moments, redirection, and small snack portions.
- Protein-rich treat option
- Great for quick rewards
- Light crunchy texture
Warm-Weather Holiday Treat Ideas
Not every holiday happens in cold weather. For warm climates or outdoor gatherings, chilled dog-safe treats can give your dog something refreshing to enjoy while guests are around.
Keep frozen treats small, avoid hard choking-sized chunks, and only use ingredients your dog already tolerates. Frozen or chilled treats should still count toward your dog’s daily treat limit.
Warm-weather holiday tip: chilled treats are fine as a snack, but shade, water, and cool indoor rest are still the real heat-safety essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Takeaway
Holidays are fun for the whole family, but food safety matters. Rich dishes, desserts, bones, gravy, stuffing, and well-meaning guests can all create risks for dogs.
The safest holiday routine is simple: keep table food away, offer dog-specific treats, supervise chew time, and keep portions small. Your dog can still feel included without eating risky holiday foods.
Build a Safer Holiday Treat Routine
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