I've always been extra when it comes to my dogs.
From documenting their daily lives on Instagram to once spending over £200 on Christmas presents for Viv (oh the joys of living at home), I definitely don't do things by halves! So, to celebrate my big-little-baby turning 1 in October, it felt only natural to throw a 1st birthday party complete with puppacinos, party bags and, of course, homemade dog-friendly birthday cake.
After trawling the internet to find the best dog-friendly recipe and eventually settling on my own hybrid creation (Mary Berry, who?), I noticed that peanut butter was a recurring ingredient throughout - a firm favourite of Vivienne and Trixie's, so a must for my cake! What surprised me, however, was that many of the recipes failed to highlight that a xylitol free version must be used. For those who don't know, xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can cause a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to dangerously low blood sugar and potentially liver failure. It’s not just in peanut butter, either; it can also be found in sugar-free gum, sweets, and even some baked goods.
This got me thinking about other human foods that are toxic to dogs - some well-known and others less discussed but just as dangerous and prevalent, especially as we enter the festive season.
With that in mind, I've rounded up 8 toxic and potentially dangerous foods to avoid not only over the festive season, but all year round.
Chocolate
I used to think it was universally known that chocolate was toxic to dogs - that was until a few years back when a friend was genuinely shocked when I mentioned it to them! Despite this, chocolate remains one of the most well-known dangers for dogs due to its theobromine content, which dogs can’t metabolise effectively. More specifically, dark and baking varieties are particularly toxic.
It's not uncommon to see homes flooded with chocolate over the festive season - whether this be in advent calendars, chocolate tree decorations or wrapped up as gifts - but just because your dog can't see the chocolate, it doesn't mean they can't smell it!
To avoid any emergency vet visits, ensure that all chocolate items are stored well away from your furry friends and only treat them to dog-friendly alternatives such as carob-based dog chocolate.
Pets at Home, in particular, offer a wide range of dog-friendly options for Christmas, such as their Mini Pudding Dog Treats – a firm favourite of Vivienne’s!
Onions, Garlic, Chives & Leeks
Part of the Allium family of plants, onions, garlic, chives and leeks all contain toxins called disulphides and thiosulfanates that damage red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
Garlic, in particular, is considered to be about five times as toxic as onions, so while some dog products such as natural sausages list it as an ingredient (e.g. beef and garlic sausages), I always err on the side of caution and avoid these for my girls.
A common Christmas dinner staple, sage and onion stuffing should also be kept off your fur baby's menu.
Raw White Potatoes
Christmas simply wouldn't be Christmas without roast potatoes - in my family at least! But it wasn't until earlier this year when a very cheeky Trixie ran off with a small piece of raw potato from my stew prep that I discovered it is actually toxic to dogs - luckily, after a quick Google, I managed to retrieve it before she tucked in!
Unlike their cooked counterparts, raw potatoes contain high levels of solanine which is potentially toxic to dogs and causes a number of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.
While duck fat laden roast potatoes are also not recommended for your furry friends, there’s no harm in treating them to a small amount of unseasoned boiled or mashed potato as part of their Christmas dinner – and it even makes a delicious dog-friendly cake frosting as used on Trixie’s birthday cake!
Raisins, Currants & Sultanas
Commonly found in a number of popular festive foods including Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and Santa's favourite, mince pies, raisins, currants and sultanas (alongside their undried counterparts) can cause gastrointestinal complaints and even sudden kidney failure in dogs.
As with all other items on this list, it's important to ensure that these and all products containing them are kept well out of your four-legged-friend's reach - especially if you're partaking in some festive home baking!
But that doesn’t mean they can’t partake in some dog-friendly alternatives! Pets at Home’s Christmas Tarts (another favourite of Viv’s) are a great alternative.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a staple of the festive season for many, but it’s a big no-no for our four-legged friends! Even a small amount can cause intoxication, low blood sugar, and even respiratory failure.
But that doesn't mean your fur baby can't still celebrate in style - Woof and Brew's range of dog-safe wine and beer is a great way to include them in the festivities!
In particular, their Posh Pooch Wine for Dogs is another firm favourite of Vivienne and Trixie’s!
Cooked Meat Bones
It can be hard to say no to those puppy dog eyes - and surely just one leftover turkey leg can’t hurt, right?
While not toxic, cooked bones can splinter easily, posing a choking hazard and causing blockages. If consumed in large quantities, they may also lead to constipation or even perforate the gut, which could be fatal.
But if those puppy dog eyes are still drawing you in, a small slice of unseasoned meat off the bone will make a healthy, safe treat.
Or why not treat your fur baby to their very own pre-made dog friendly dinner? Exclusive to Jollyes, NakedDog's Country Mix and Four Bird Roast complete raw meals both get Vivienne and Trixie's seal of approval - not only at Christmas, but all year round!
Raw Bread Dough
The art of home bread making may not be as common or popular these days, but if you do fancy challenging yourself this festive season, it's important to ensure that all raw dough is kept far away from curious pets.
If consumed, the dough expands in the stomach as it ferments, which can lead to bloating and, in severe cases, cause toxicity from alcohol produced during fermentation.
Blue Cheese
If your dogs are anything like mine, they can hear a packet of cheese being opened from a mile away!
And while most cheeses are safe in small amounts, blue cheese should be strictly avoided as it contains roquefortine C, which some dogs are highly sensitive to and may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, a high temperature, and even seizures.
If you are enjoying a cheeseboard as part of your festive feast and want to include your four-legged friend, a small amount of cheddar is generally the best option.
Or why not try a cheese-flavoured dog treat, such as Pooch and Mutt's Cheese Fondue Christmas Range?
Don't tell the girls, but Santa’s elves have already delivered one of their Luxury Dental Stick Advent Calendars for them to share come December!
Keep Your Dog Safe This Festive Season
Dogs are family, and it’s natural to want to spoil them, especially during the holidays when everyone’s indulging in a few extra treats. But for a safe and happy festive season, it's vital to keep these toxic foods off your four-legged friend's menu.
For a safer approach, there are many human foods your fur baby can enjoy in moderation, like pumpkin, blueberries and Vivienne and Trixie's favourite, carrots. Plus, all of the products mentioned above have been tried and tested by Vivienne and Trixie so you can rest assured they pass they spoilt dog test!
If you want to make the festive season extra special, I’ve included my dog-friendly birthday cake recipe below - perfect for a holiday treat!
Recipe: Dog-Friendly Birthday Cake (Also Great for Christmas!)
Ingredients
Dog-Friendly Cake:
• 2 Large Eggs
• 120g Peanut Butter (I used Peamutt Butter purchased at Jollyes)
• 65ml Vegetable Oil
• 165ml Milk (I used whole milk but you can also use water)
• 2 Large Carrots (peeled & grated)
• 300g Wholemeal Flour
• 2.5 Tsp Baking Soda (safe for dogs in small amounts as part of baked products)
Dog-Friendly Frosting:
• 700g White Potatoes (peeled & cut into small chunks)
• 200g Plain Unsweetened Yoghurt
• 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter (optional)
Instructions
Cake:
• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan.
• Grease and line the base and sides of 2 x 20cm/8" cake tins.
• Whisk together eggs, peanut butter, oil and milk using an electric whisk or stand mixer with whisk attachment.
• Switch to a wooden spoon and stir in carrots. Then add flour and baking soda, and stir until just combined (be careful not to over mix).
• Divide batter evenly between the cake tins, spread and smooth the surface.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Leave to cool and frost per below.
Frosting:
• Boil potato until very soft (around 20 minutes in preboiled water).
• Whip together potato and yoghurt with an electric beater until fluffy and smooth as possible. Add peanut butter if using and mix again until combined.
• If the mixture is a little thick, add small amounts of boiled water as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency - similar to that of human buttercream.
• While warm, spread 1/4 frosting on one cake and top with the other cake. Frost top of cake, reserving some frosting for piping (optional).
• Decorate as desired - I used Peamutt Butter Balls and Wagg Peanut Butter and Banana Cookies.
Once the frosting has cooled, the decorated will keep for 5 days in the fridge, making it the perfect festive treat for your four-legged friend to enjoy while you fill up on leftovers.
Turkey sandwich, anyone? 😍
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