How to Keep Your Dog Safe at Christmas: Essential Tips for 2025 🎅🐕
The festive season brings cosy moments, sparkling decorations, and plenty of delicious food — but it also introduces a few hidden hazards for our four-legged family members. With a little awareness and planning, pet parents can help ensure their dogs enjoy a safe, calm, happy Christmas.
Here’s what to look out for this season.
1. Christmas Foods to Keep Away From Dogs
The Christmas table is full of ingredients that are perfectly harmless to us but potentially dangerous for dogs.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine that dogs cannot metabolise effectively. Even small amounts may cause vomiting and diarrhoea; larger quantities can lead to tremors, seizures, heart problems, or worse.
All varieties — milk, dark, semi-sweet, baking chocolate — are unsafe. So be a hero and eat that chocolate yourself!
Mince pies, puddings & dried fruits
Traditional Christmas desserts often include raisins, sultanas, currants, and sometimes alcohol — all of which are toxic for dogs and can cause kidney issues, even in small quantities.
See here, for how to transform our dog cake into a fun Christmas pudding which they are sure to love.
Other common hazards
Xylitol (found in sugar-free sweets and some peanut butters). This one can be a killer so do look out for it,
Onions and garlic (including cooked, powdered, dried)
Leftovers with bones, rich fats, or heavy seasoning
A good rule of thumb: if you didn’t prepare it specifically for dogs, keep it out of reach.
2. Tinsel, Ornaments & Decorations: Pretty but Risky
Dogs are naturally curious, especially around shiny new objects that appear in the home overnight.
Tinsel can easily be swallowed and may cause choking or serious intestinal blockages.
Glass or ceramic ornaments can shatter if chewed, leading to cuts in the mouth or digestive tract.
Fairy light wires can be tempting to nibble, creating a risk of burns or electric shock.
3. Keeping Your Dog Warm in Winter Weather
With colder temperatures and damp days, dogs often need a little extra care:
Warmth & clothing
Short-haired, elderly, or smaller breeds may benefit from a well-fitted winter coat.
Paw care
Salt, grit, and cold pavements can irritate dog paws.
Wipe paws after walks
Check for cracks
Use a dog-safe balm to protect pads and noses
Indoor enrichment
If walks are shorter due to weather, add puzzle toys, sniffing games, or a new indoor activity to help them burn mental energy.
Diet adjustments
Less active dogs may need fewer calories, while dogs spending more time outdoors might need slightly more. Check with your vet if unsure.
4. Stay Visible During Dark Evenings
With early sunsets, visibility becomes crucial for safety.
Use reflective harnesses, collars, coats, or leads
Add a small LED light to your dog’s collar
Wear reflective gear yourself so drivers and cyclists can see you both clearly
These small additions make a big difference on winter walks.
Conclusion
By staying aware of these festive hazards, you can make sure your dog enjoys Christmas as much as you do — safely and stress-free.
At Dog & Bond, we’re all about helping pet parents celebrate the season through bonding, baking, and dog-safe treats made with 100% natural, human-grade ingredients. Explore our festive mixes and seasonal ideas to make this Christmas joyful, cosy, and safe for your four-legged best friend.