Holiday & BBQ Foods for Dogs: What's Safe and What to Skip

Holidays and cookouts are peak begging season. Those puppy eyes work hard when the table's full — but some festive favorites are a hard no for dogs. Before the plates start piling up, here's your simple safe-vs-skip guide so your co-pilot can join the fun without a midnight vet trip.

Foods That Are Generally Safe to Share (Plain & In Moderation)

Kept plain — no butter, oil, salt, seasoning, or sauces — these are usually fine as an occasional bite:

• Plain turkey or chicken (boneless, skinless, unseasoned)
• Green beans (plain, cooked or raw)
• Carrots (raw or cooked)
• Plain sweet potato or pumpkin (no sugar or spice)
• Apple slices (no seeds or core)
• Blueberries and watermelon (seedless)

Keep portions small — treats and table scraps together should stay around 10% of daily calories.

Foods to Keep Far Away From Your Dog

These are common at gatherings and range from "upsets their stomach" to genuinely dangerous. The ASPCA and AKC keep detailed lists, but the big ones to memorize:

• Chocolate and anything with xylitol (a sweetener in gum, candy, some peanut butters)
• Grapes and raisins (can cause kidney failure)
• Onions, garlic, chives, leeks (damage red blood cells)
• Cooked bones (splinter — never give turkey or chicken bones)
• Seasoned stuffing, gravy, and fatty trimmings (salt, spices, and fat can trigger GI upset or pancreatitis)
• Alcohol, coffee, and macadamia nuts

Why Fatty and Seasoned Foods Are Sneaky Dangerous

Even "safe" proteins become risky when they're loaded with butter, oil, or seasoning. A sudden hit of rich, fatty food can trigger pancreatitis — a painful, sometimes serious inflammation of the pancreas that spikes around holidays. Keeping it plain isn't just picky; it's protective.

The Easy Move: Bring Their Own Treats

The simplest way to include your dog without the risk? Hand them their own holiday snack. Single-ingredient freeze-dried treats like our beef liver or a festive Pup-Ornaut treat let your pup feel like part of the party with zero guesswork. Keep a stash in your bag so guests aren't tempted to "just give one bite" of something they shouldn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat turkey?

Plain, boneless, skinless, unseasoned turkey is generally fine in small amounts. Skip the skin, bones, gravy, and seasoning.

My dog ate something on the toxic list. What now?

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) right away. Don't wait for symptoms.

Are bones ever safe?

Cooked bones are never safe — they splinter. Stick to appropriate commercial chews instead.

How much people-food is okay?

Very little. Treats and scraps together should stay around 10% of daily calories to avoid tummy trouble and weight gain.

Celebrate Safely With Your Co-Pilot

Keeping it simple keeps them safe. Share the plain, skip the risky, and let your dog enjoy their own treats made just for them. Stock up before the next gathering with the dog collection or a grab-and-go Sample Pack — happy snacking and happy tails.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.

Sources: ASPCA – People Foods to Avoid; AKC – Foods Dogs Should Never Eat