A small plain bite only. A small bite of plain, boneless, skinless, fully cooked white-meat turkey is generally fine for dogs. Skip the dark meat, skin, gravy, and seasoning, which can upset the stomach or cause pancreatitis.

Can dogs eat turkey skin or gravy?

Skip it. Skin, drippings, and gravy are rich and fatty and hard for dogs to digest. They can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes even a small amount can cause pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.

Can dogs eat green beans?

Safe. Plain, unseasoned green beans are safe for most dogs in small amounts. Keep them free of butter, salt, onion, and casserole toppings.

Can dogs eat stuffing?

Skip it. Stuffing often contains onion, garlic, or chives, which can irritate a dog’s stomach and damage red blood cells. It is also rich and can be hard for dogs to digest, and any raisins in it can harm the kidneys.

Can dogs eat sweet potatoes?

Safe. Plain cooked sweet potato is a safe, healthy snack for most dogs in small amounts. Skip versions made with butter, sugar, marshmallows, or spices.

Can dogs eat turkey bones?

Skip it. Cooked poultry bones can splinter. They can cause choking, damage the digestive tract, or get stuck and block the intestines.

Can dogs eat canned pumpkin?

Safe. Plain canned pumpkin is safe for most dogs in small amounts. Check the label: pumpkin should be the only ingredient, because pie filling can contain sugar, spices, or xylitol.

Can dogs eat pumpkin pie?

Skip it. Pumpkin pie is a sweet dessert that can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs, including spices and sometimes the sweetener xylitol. Plain canned pumpkin is the dog-friendly version.

Can dogs eat carrots?

Safe. Plain carrots, raw or cooked, are a low-calorie treat that is fine for most dogs in small amounts. Skip buttered or glazed carrots.

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?

Skip it. Butter-rich mashed potatoes can upset a dog’s stomach and may lead to pancreatitis, and garlic or onion adds a risk to red blood cells.

Safe. Plain apple slices are a fine treat for most dogs in small amounts. Remove the core and seeds first: they can cause choking or a blockage, and the seeds contain a small amount of cyanide.

Can dogs eat grapes or raisins?

Skip it. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in some dogs, and the effect of a given amount is hard to predict. Check stuffing, breads, and baked goods for raisins too.

Is raw bread dough dangerous for dogs?

Skip it. Raw dough can keep rising in a dog’s warm stomach, causing painful bloating that can become an emergency. The yeast also makes alcohol as it ferments.

Can dogs eat chocolate?

Skip it. Chocolate contains stimulants called methylxanthines that can cause vomiting, restlessness, an abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, and seizures in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the greater the risk.

Is xylitol dangerous for dogs?

Skip it. Xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, and nut butters, can cause a sudden, dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs and can damage the liver.

Can dogs eat corn on the cob?

Skip it. Corn cobs are one of the most common things dogs swallow that get stuck. A cob or a large piece can block the intestines and may need surgery to remove.

Is a Christmas cactus poisonous to dogs?

Safe. Christmas cactus is non-toxic to dogs and one of the safer festive plants to keep at home. Eating any plant can still cause mild stomach upset, so discourage chewing.

Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs?

Skip it. Poinsettia sap can irritate a dog’s mouth and stomach and sometimes causes vomiting. It is less dangerous than its reputation and serious poisoning is not expected, but it is still best kept out of reach.

Are holly and mistletoe poisonous to dogs?

Skip it. Holly and mistletoe can cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten, and mistletoe can occasionally affect breathing, heart rate, or blood pressure. Keep sprigs and fallen berries off the floor.

Are orchids poisonous to dogs?

Safe. Moth orchids are non-toxic to dogs and a pet-safe choice for holiday decorating. As with any plant, chewing on one may cause a mildly upset stomach.

Can dogs drink Christmas tree water?

Skip it. Standing tree water can grow bacteria that upset a dog’s stomach, and tree preservatives or additives can be harmful if swallowed. Cover the stand or block access to it.

Is tinsel dangerous for dogs?

Skip it. Tinsel and ribbon are not poisonous, but a swallowed strand can bunch up or anchor in the gut and cause a serious blockage that may need surgery.

Are African violets poisonous to dogs?

Safe. African violets are non-toxic to dogs. Chewing any plant can still cause mild stomach upset, so keep it where your dog won’t snack on it.

Are Christmas lights dangerous for dogs?

Skip it. A dog that chews an electrical cord can get burns in the mouth or a dangerous electric shock. Keep cords and wires out of reach.

Are batteries dangerous for dogs?

Skip it. Chewed or swallowed batteries can leak and cause chemical burns in the mouth and gut, and button or disc batteries can also burn tissue by passing an electric current. This needs a veterinarian right away.

Are essential oil diffusers safe for dogs?

Skip it. Many liquid potpourris and essential oils are poisonous to dogs, and even a few licks or a little on the skin can be harmful. Breathing in diffused oils in a small room or for a long time can also cause breathing problems. Run a diffuser only briefly in a room your dog can’t get into, and if your dog has a history of breathing problems, it may be best not to use one at all.

Are fireworks dangerous for dogs?

Skip it. Fireworks noise can frighten dogs into panicking or bolting, and some dogs may eat fireworks or debris, which can contain harmful chemicals. Plan ahead: keep your dog inside in a quiet, escape-proof room.

← All free guides

A SMALL GAME · HOLIDAY SAFETY

Safe or skip?
The holiday table.

By Gina Wilt · October 2026 · Sources checked October 2026

Plain, boneless, skinless white-meat turkey, plain green beans, plain sweet potato, plain canned pumpkin, carrots, and apple slices without the core are generally fine for dogs in small amounts. Skip the dark meat, skin, gravy, and bones, anything made with onions, garlic, grapes or raisins, chocolate, or xylitol, and raw bread dough.

Tap a dish or a decoration and guess: safe, a small plain bite only, or skip. Then see why, with the veterinary source. Your score stays in this browser.

Round 1: the Thanksgiving table

Plain cooked white-meat turkey
A small plain bite only
A small bite of plain, boneless, skinless, fully cooked white-meat turkey is generally fine for dogs. Skip the dark meat, skin, gravy, and seasoning, which can upset the stomach or cause pancreatitis.
Call your vet If your dog got turkey bones, call your veterinarian right away. If it ate skin, dark meat, or a large fatty helping and then vomits, has diarrhea, or seems unwell, call your veterinarian.
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
Turkey skin, fat drippings, and gravy
Skip it
Skin, drippings, and gravy are rich and fatty and hard for dogs to digest. They can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes even a small amount can cause pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian if your dog vomits, has diarrhea, or seems unwell after eating fatty scraps.
Source: AVMA (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
Plain cooked green beans
Safe
Plain, unseasoned green beans are safe for most dogs in small amounts. Keep them free of butter, salt, onion, and casserole toppings.
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
Stuffing
Skip it
Stuffing often contains onion, garlic, or chives, which can irritate a dog’s stomach and damage red blood cells. It is also rich and can be hard for dogs to digest, and any raisins in it can harm the kidneys.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line if your dog eats stuffing, especially a large amount or any made with raisins.
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab)
Plain cooked sweet potato
Safe
Plain cooked sweet potato is a safe, healthy snack for most dogs in small amounts. Skip versions made with butter, sugar, marshmallows, or spices.
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
Cooked turkey bones
Skip it
Cooked poultry bones can splinter. They can cause choking, damage the digestive tract, or get stuck and block the intestines.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian right away if your dog swallows turkey bones or a piece of the carcass, or is choking.
Source: AVMA (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
Safe
Plain canned pumpkin is safe for most dogs in small amounts. Check the label: pumpkin should be the only ingredient, because pie filling can contain sugar, spices, or xylitol.
Source: Pet Poison Helpline (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
Pumpkin pie
Skip it
Pumpkin pie is a sweet dessert that can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs, including spices and sometimes the sweetener xylitol. Plain canned pumpkin is the dog-friendly version.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line if your dog eats pie that may contain xylitol, or if it vomits or seems unwell.
Source: AVMA (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
Plain carrots (raw or cooked)
Safe
Plain carrots, raw or cooked, are a low-calorie treat that is fine for most dogs in small amounts. Skip buttered or glazed carrots.
Source: Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (opens in a new tab), Tufts Petfoodology (opens in a new tab)
Mashed potatoes made with butter, garlic, or onion
Skip it
Butter-rich mashed potatoes can upset a dog’s stomach and may lead to pancreatitis, and garlic or onion adds a risk to red blood cells.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian if your dog vomits, has diarrhea, or seems unwell after eating rich food, or if it ate a dish with a lot of onion or garlic.
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
Apple slices (no core or seeds)
Safe
Plain apple slices are a fine treat for most dogs in small amounts. Remove the core and seeds first: they can cause choking or a blockage, and the seeds contain a small amount of cyanide.
Source: Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (opens in a new tab), Pet Poison Helpline (opens in a new tab)
Grapes and raisins
Skip it
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in some dogs, and the effect of a given amount is hard to predict. Check stuffing, breads, and baked goods for raisins too.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line right away if your dog eats any grapes or raisins. Vomiting or diarrhea can start within hours.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), Merck Veterinary Manual (opens in a new tab)
Raw yeast bread dough
Skip it
Raw dough can keep rising in a dog’s warm stomach, causing painful bloating that can become an emergency. The yeast also makes alcohol as it ferments.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line right away if your dog eats raw dough, especially if its belly looks swollen or it seems wobbly.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
Chocolate desserts
Skip it
Chocolate contains stimulants called methylxanthines that can cause vomiting, restlessness, an abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, and seizures in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the greater the risk.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line right away if your dog eats chocolate. Note the type and how much was eaten.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), AVMA (opens in a new tab)
Sugar-free desserts or gum with xylitol
Skip it
Xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, and nut butters, can cause a sudden, dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs and can damage the liver.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line right away if your dog may have eaten xylitol. Signs can include vomiting, weakness, staggering, collapse, or seizures.
Source: US FDA (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
Corn on the cob (the cob)
Skip it
Corn cobs are one of the most common things dogs swallow that get stuck. A cob or a large piece can block the intestines and may need surgery to remove.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian right away if your dog swallows a cob or a piece of one.
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)

Round 2: the holiday house

Christmas cactus
Safe
Christmas cactus is non-toxic to dogs and one of the safer festive plants to keep at home. Eating any plant can still cause mild stomach upset, so discourage chewing.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
Poinsettia
Skip it
Poinsettia sap can irritate a dog’s mouth and stomach and sometimes causes vomiting. It is less dangerous than its reputation and serious poisoning is not expected, but it is still best kept out of reach.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian if your dog keeps vomiting or seems unwell after chewing a poinsettia.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), Pet Poison Helpline (opens in a new tab)
Holly and mistletoe
Skip it
Holly and mistletoe can cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten, and mistletoe can occasionally affect breathing, heart rate, or blood pressure. Keep sprigs and fallen berries off the floor.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line if your dog eats holly or mistletoe, and right away if it has trouble breathing.
Source: ASPCA (opens in a new tab), ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab)
Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Safe
Moth orchids are non-toxic to dogs and a pet-safe choice for holiday decorating. As with any plant, chewing on one may cause a mildly upset stomach.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
Christmas tree water
Skip it
Standing tree water can grow bacteria that upset a dog’s stomach, and tree preservatives or additives can be harmful if swallowed. Cover the stand or block access to it.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line if your dog drinks tree water that has preservatives or additives, or if vomiting or diarrhea follows.
Source: ASPCA (opens in a new tab), AVMA (opens in a new tab)
Tinsel and ribbon
Skip it
Tinsel and ribbon are not poisonous, but a swallowed strand can bunch up or anchor in the gut and cause a serious blockage that may need surgery.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian right away if your dog swallows tinsel or ribbon, or starts vomiting.
Source: ASPCA (opens in a new tab), Pet Poison Helpline (opens in a new tab)
African violet
Safe
African violets are non-toxic to dogs. Chewing any plant can still cause mild stomach upset, so keep it where your dog won’t snack on it.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
String lights and cords
Skip it
A dog that chews an electrical cord can get burns in the mouth or a dangerous electric shock. Keep cords and wires out of reach.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian right away if your dog bites through a cord or has burns in its mouth.
Source: AVMA (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
Batteries (including button and disc batteries)
Skip it
Chewed or swallowed batteries can leak and cause chemical burns in the mouth and gut, and button or disc batteries can also burn tissue by passing an electric current. This needs a veterinarian right away.
Call your vet Get veterinary care right away if your dog chews or swallows a battery, even if it seems fine at first. Drooling, mouth pain, or pawing at the mouth are warning signs.
Source: Pet Poison Helpline (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
Liquid potpourri and essential oil diffusers
Skip it
Many liquid potpourris and essential oils are poisonous to dogs, and even a few licks or a little on the skin can be harmful. Breathing in diffused oils in a small room or for a long time can also cause breathing problems. Run a diffuser only briefly in a room your dog can’t get into, and if your dog has a history of breathing problems, it may be best not to use one at all.
Call your vet Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line if your dog licks or gets oil or potpourri on its coat, or starts drooling, wobbling, trembling, or having trouble breathing.
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)
New Year’s Eve fireworks
Skip it
Fireworks noise can frighten dogs into panicking or bolting, and some dogs may eat fireworks or debris, which can contain harmful chemicals. Plan ahead: keep your dog inside in a quiet, escape-proof room.
Call your vet If loud noises make your dog panic, talk with your veterinarian before the holiday. Call right away if your dog is injured or eats fireworks or debris.
Source: AVMA (opens in a new tab), ASPCA (opens in a new tab)

That’s the whole table.

Traveling for the holidays? Daycare and boarding in Laveen begin November 2026. Book directly with Gina, or through Rover or Wag.

Request a holiday stay Get the monthly dog-safety note ↓

If your dog ate something on this list, call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic right away. Two animal poison control lines are always open: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in a new tab), (888) 426-4435, and the Pet Poison Helpline (opens in a new tab), (855) 764-7661. Pet Poison Helpline charges a fee for each case, and the ASPCA says a consultation fee may apply.

Educational information, not an individual veterinary assessment.

Sources

VCA Animal Hospitals. Thanksgiving Foods Safe for Dogs. vcahospitals.com/resources/lifestyle-dog/hazards-safety/thanksgiving-f (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA. Thanksgiving Safety Tips. www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/thanksgiving-safety-tips (opens in a new tab)
AVMA. Thanksgiving pet safety. www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/thanksgiving-pet-safet (opens in a new tab)
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Healthy eating for dogs during this time of year. vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/healthy-eating-dogs-during-time-year (opens in a new tab)
AVMA. Winter holiday pet safety. www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/holiday-pet-safety (opens in a new tab)
VCA Animal Hospitals. Top safety tips to avoid a pet emergency for your dog this Thanksgiving. vcahospitals.com/shopmyvca/articles/top-safety-tips-to-avoid-a-pet-eme (opens in a new tab)
VCA Animal Hospitals. 4 Tips to Avoid Common Pet Hazards this Thanksgiving. vcahospitals.com/press-center/vca-news/4-tips-to-avoid-common-pet-haza (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding (opens in a new tab)
Pet Poison Helpline. Pumpkins: A Safe and Nutritious Treat for Your Furry Friend. www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/pumpkins-a-safe-and-nutritious (opens in a new tab)
Tufts Petfoodology. The most popular holiday foods that your pet should avoid. sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2023/12/08/the-most-popular-holiday-foods (opens in a new tab)
Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (K-State news release). K-State veterinarian shares tips to keep your pets safe and less stressed this holiday season. www.k-state.edu/news/newsreleases/2024-12/K-State-veterinarian-shares- (opens in a new tab)
Pet Poison Helpline. Friendly Fall Foods. www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owner-blog/friendly-fall-foods/ (opens in a new tab)
Merck Veterinary Manual. Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind (Vitis spp, Tamarindus spp) Toxicosis in Dogs. www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/grape-raisin-and-tamari (opens in a new tab)
US FDA. Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs. www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA. One-Year-Old Pup Swallows Corn Cob, Undergoes Surgery at the ASPCA Animal Hospital. www.aspca.org/news/one-year-old-pup-swallows-corn-cob-undergoes-surger (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Christmas Cactus. www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants (opens in a new tab)
VCA Animal Hospitals. Tips For A Pet-Safe Holiday. vcahospitals.com/resources/lifestyle/tips-for-a-safe-hazard-free-pet-h (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Poinsettia. www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plant (opens in a new tab)
Pet Poison Helpline. Holiday Pet Poison Myths. www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/holiday-pet-poison-myths-deb (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA. Holiday Safety Tips. www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Mistletoe "American". www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Phalaenopsis Orchid. www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: African Violet. www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA. Do You Know Which Flowers and Plants are Toxic to Pets? Our Experts Explain!. www.aspca.org/news/do-you-know-which-flowers-and-plants-are-toxic-pets (opens in a new tab)
Pet Poison Helpline. Batteries Are Toxic To Pets. www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/batteries/ (opens in a new tab)
VCA Animal Hospitals. Essential Oil and Liquid Potpourri Poisoning in Dogs. vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/essential-oil-and-liquid-potpourri-pois (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA. Is the Latest Home Trend Harmful to Your Pets? What You Need to Know!. www.aspca.org/news/latest-home-trend-harmful-your-pets-what-you-need-k (opens in a new tab)
AVMA. July 4 safety. www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/july-4-safety (opens in a new tab)
ASPCA. Four Ways Fourth of July Fireworks Can Harm Our Pets. www.aspca.org/news/four-ways-fourth-july-fireworks-can-harm-our-pets (opens in a new tab)

KEEP READING

ONE EMAIL A MONTH

What to watch for,
before it matters.

A short note at the start of each month: the Arizona risks coming up for dogs, one practical tip with its source, and new free guides when we publish them.

Educational information, not an individual veterinary assessment.

Round 1: the Thanksgiving table

Plain cooked white-meat turkey

Turkey skin, fat drippings, and gravy

Plain cooked green beans

Stuffing

Plain cooked sweet potato

Cooked turkey bones

Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling)

Pumpkin pie

Plain carrots (raw or cooked)

Mashed potatoes made with butter, garlic, or onion

Apple slices (no core or seeds)

Grapes and raisins

Raw yeast bread dough

Chocolate desserts

Sugar-free desserts or gum with xylitol

Corn on the cob (the cob)

Round 2: the holiday house

Christmas cactus

Poinsettia

Holly and mistletoe

Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Christmas tree water

Tinsel and ribbon

African violet

String lights and cords

Batteries (including button and disc batteries)

Liquid potpourri and essential oil diffusers

New Year’s Eve fireworks

That’s the whole table.

Sources

What to watch for,before it matters.

What to watch for,
before it matters.