Christmas in Australia means big family lunches, backyard BBQs, seafood platters, pavlova, and plenty of temptation for dogs waiting under the table. While it’s natural to want to include your pup in the celebrations, not all festive foods are safe for them. To help you enjoy a stress-free holiday season, here’s your Melbourne-friendly guide to Christmas foods your dog can and cannot eat.
Safe Christmas Foods for Dogs (In Moderation)
These foods are often found on Aussie Christmas tables and are generally fine for dogs -just remember to serve them plain, without seasoning, fats, sauces, or marinades.
✔️ Lean Meats (Plain Only)
- Turkey (no skin, no stuffing)
- Chicken (boneless, no skin)
- Beef or lamb (lean cuts only)
- Prawns (cooked, peeled, no garlic/chilli marinades)
Why they’re safe: Great protein sources.
What to avoid: Cooked bones, fatty skin, glazes, and anything seasoned with onion or garlic.
✔️ Plain Veggies
The perfect low-calorie, nutrient-rich snack:
- Carrot
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Pumpkin (cooked or raw)
✔️ Fresh Dog-Friendly Fruit
A refreshing treat for hot Melbourne Christmas days:
- Watermelon (seedless)
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Mango (no seed)
✔️ Small Amounts of Cheese or Yoghurt Drops
If your dog tolerates dairy, tiny amounts are fine—similar to what we use in our Doghouse cakes and pup-friendly treats.
Christmas Foods That Are Not Safe for Dogs
These common festive foods should never be shared with your dog.
❌ Ham & Pork Crackling
Very high in fat and salt, often leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, and pancreatitis.
❌ Glazed Ham Trimmings
Glazes contain honey, maple, brown sugar, cloves and other spices—too rich and potentially harmful.
❌ Stuffing
Often includes onion, garlic, butter, herbs, and sultanas… all ingredients that can make dogs very sick.
❌ Grapes, Sultanas & Raisins
One of the most dangerous Christmas foods for dogs. Even a small amount can cause kidney failure.
Commonly found in: Christmas pudding, fruit mince pies, fruit cake, panettone, grazing boards, salads.
❌ Chocolate
A Christmas classic but extremely toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous.
❌ Onion & Garlic (Raw, Cooked, Powdered)
Present in marinades, salads, gravy, stuffing and most savoury dishes.
❌ Alcohol
All alcoholic drinks are hazardous, even in tiny amounts.
❌ Macadamia Nuts
Popular on grazing platters and highly toxic to dogs.
❌ Sugary or Rich Desserts
Pavlova, trifle, custard, cream, and most baked goods are far too sugary or rich for dogs’ digestive systems.
A Dog-Safe Christmas Treat Alternative
If you want your dog to enjoy the festivities without risk, Doghouse has plenty of safe, delicious options:
- Christmas Dog Cake
- Festive Treat Packs
- Trainer-approved chews & snacks
All made from simple, dog-safe ingredients and absolutely Lola-approved.
Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe During Christmas
- Keep grazing boards and food platters out of reach.
- Remind guests not to slip food to your dog.
- Bring dog-safe treats when visiting friends or family.
- If your dog eats something dangerous, call your emergency vet immediately.
We hope you and your pup enjoy a safe, happy, treat-filled holiday season.
If you’re unsure about any festive foods or need help choosing dog-safe treats, drop by Doghouse or message us anytime!