Jingle Bells and Tasty Smells: Safe Holiday Treats for Pets

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and indulgence, and pet owners want to include their furry friends in the festivities. Sharing your favorite holiday treats with your pet may be tempting, but it's crucial that you be mindful of their safety and wellbeing. Let’s explore holiday treats and activities you can safely share with your four-legged friend and make their season special.

Harmful Holiday Treats to Avoid Giving to Pets

Before we dive into safe treats you can share with your pet, you should first learn the drool-worthy dangers on your plate. Foods and ingredients to avoid include:

  • Dark turkey meat
  • Ham
  • Meat bones
  • Onions, garlic, and chives
  • Grapes, raisins, and currants
  • Corn on the cob
  • Alcohol
  • Xylitol
  • Chocolate
  • Nuts

Keep these items out of your pet’s reach and educate family and guests about the importance of not sharing these treats. Your four-legged friend may also try to sneak snacks out of the trash, so securely latch the trash can lid to keep your pet out, and empty the trash early and often, so your dumpster-diving pet won’t be tempted.

Safe Holiday Treats to Share with Pets

All your favorite holiday dishes may seem off-limits to your pet, but you can easily modify hazardous foods to make pet-healthy treats. Tasty, yet safe, holiday foods you can share with your pet include:

  • Turkey — Lean, boneless, and skinless turkey can be a delightful treat for your meat-loving pet. Cook thoroughly, and do not add spices, herbs, or seasonings.
  • Sweet potatoes — Rich in vitamins and fiber, plain cooked sweet potatoes are nutritious and tasty, but you must skip the butter, sugar, and marshmallow toppings commonly found in holiday recipes.
  • Green beans — Fresh or steamed green beans make a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many four-legged friends enjoy. If you are offering canned beans, ensure they are salt-free. Avoid green bean casserole, which contains condensed soup and onions.
  • Fresh fruits — Apples, bananas, berries, and melons can safely satisfy your pet’s sweet tooth in moderation. Avoid toxic fruits like grapes, raisins, and currants.
  • Pumpkin — Plain canned pumpkin—not pumpkin pie filling—is an excellent source of fiber and a delicious dessert to end your pet’s meal.

Homemade Holiday Treats to Share with Pets

Nothing says “I love you” more than spending time making homemade treats that satisfy your pet’s taste buds and treat preferences. Whether they prefer crunchy or chewy treats, sweet or savory flavors, you can create the perfect snack just for them. Ideas include:

  • DIY biscuits — Biscuits can be easy to bake, make a satisfying crunch, and can be packed with your pet’s favorite flavors. Create simple, pet-safe biscuits using ingredients like whole wheat flour, xylitol-free peanut butter, honey, and bananas. Look for recipes online to add to your holiday baking list.
  • Stuffed rubber Kong — Rubber Kongs are stuffable food puzzles suitable for cats and dogs of all sizes. Concoct a mouthwatering mixture of your pet’s favorite foods, such as canned food and cheese or peanut butter, bananas, and apples. Fill the Kong and freeze it overnight for a long-lasting treat that your four-legged friend will savor while you enjoy your own holiday feast.

Fun Alternatives to Holiday Treats for Pets

While few pets can turn down a mouthwatering holiday treat, some pets have food sensitivities or medical conditions that preclude them from diet variations. In these cases, spoil your furry pal with extra love and attention. Alternatives include:

  • Interactive toys — Engage your pets with puzzle toys that dispense treats as a reward. These not only provide mental stimulation, but also encourage physical activity, and can ward off problem behaviors during a hectic holiday season.
  • Playdates — Some pets love making new friends or playing with old ones. Set up playdates, so your furry pal can burn off steam before your holiday celebrations.
  • Training classes — An opportunity for your pet to learn and flex their brain is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving. Sign up your furry pal for advanced training classes, or enroll in courses that teach a specific skill (e.g., tracking or herding).
  • Quality time — Sometimes, the best gift you can give your pet is your time and attention. Play with them, go for a walk, or simply cuddle on the couch.

If your furry pal gets spoiled rotten during the holidays, they may end up with GI issues or other health problems. For vomiting, diarrhea, or other tummy troubles, count on our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team to get your pet relief.