11.20.2025

The holidays are all about cozy traditions, festive feasts, and spending time with loved ones, including your four-legged best friend. But not everything on your table is safe for pups to enjoy. In fact, some holiday foods can cause serious harm. In this blog, we’re unwrapping the biggest holiday food hazards for dogs, offering safe (and tasty) alternatives, and sharing a few festive treat ideas using our favorite clean-ingredient goodies from Farmland Traditions!

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🚫 Holiday Foods That Are Unsafe for Dogs

Not everything on the holiday menu belongs in your dog’s bowl. Here are the top holiday culprits to avoid:

• Chocolate: Contains theobromine, toxic to dogs, especially dark chocolate and baking chocolate.
• Xylitol: A common sugar substitute in candy and baked goods that can cause hypoglycemia and liver failure.
• Fatty meats & turkey skin: High-fat scraps can lead to pancreatitis or digestive upset.
• Onions & Garlic: Found in stuffings and gravies; both are highly toxic and can damage red blood cells.
• Grapes & Raisins: Just a few can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs.
• Macadamia nuts & nutmeg: Can lead to tremors, vomiting, and nervous system issues.
• Alcohol & eggnog: Even small amounts can cause vomiting, tremors, or worse.
• Pies & rich desserts: Loaded with sugar, spices, and dairy that can wreak havoc on your pup’s stomach.

✨ Tip: Remind guests not to slip treats under the table, no matter how cute the puppy eyes are. 🥺

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✅ Holiday Foods That Are Safe for Dogs (in Moderation!)

Not all holiday food is off-limits! These dog-friendly options are safe, nutrient-rich, and festive:

• Plain pumpkin (not pie mix!): Great for digestion
• Sweet potatoes: Fiber-packed and soothing
• Seedless apples: A crunchy source of vitamins
• Carrots & green beans: Low-cal, high-fiber snacks
• Plain turkey breast: Lean and protein-rich (no skin, salt, or seasoning)
• Blueberries or cranberries: Antioxidant powerhouses in small amounts

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🍴 3 Festive Recipes Your Dog Can Enjoy

Here are three easy, pup-approved holiday recipes using Farmland Traditions favorites:

1. Mini “Meatball” Morsels

• Crumble up The Good List air-dried dog food (in chicken, beef, or lamb & venison)
• Add a bit of water
• Shape into mini meatballs and freeze for a fun snack

2. Holiday Jerky Bark

• Cut Dogs Love Jerky treats into bite-sized bits
• Mix with chopped carrots and blueberries
• Freeze in silicone molds or spread flat and break into “bark” pieces

3. Tiny Loves Toppers

• Sprinkle Tiny Loves with Bone Broth over your dog’s regular meal
• Add a small spoonful of pumpkin or green beans for a holiday twist
• Garnish with a couple Simple Snacks for crunch!

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😋Want to Give Your Dog a Holiday Treat They’ll Love?

All of our treats and food are:🐾 Made in the USA
🐾 Grain-free, soy-free, and corn-free
🐾 Air-dried for 9–12 hours to lock in nutrients & taste
🐾 Soft and easy to chew, perfect for seniors or picky eaters

Farmland Traditions Holiday Favorites:
🎁 The Good List – A complete meal or topper with 90% protein and 10% superfoods
🎁 Dogs Love Jerky – 95% real meat jerky your pup will beg for
🎁 Tiny Loves –  2-calorie training treats with savory bone broth
🎁 Simple Snacks – Simple ingredients, various pup-approved recipes

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📌 Holiday Food Safety Tips for Dog Parents

• Keep toxic foods out of reach (use baby gates or close kitchen doors)
• Don’t let guests feed from the table
• Stick to your dog’s normal feeding schedule
• Always supervise around food spreads and trash cans
• When in doubt, choose a trusted treat from Farmland Traditions!

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🐶 Final Thoughts

This holiday, show your pup some love with treats they can safely enjoy. Farmland Traditions is here to make every holiday moment dog-friendly and delicious.

➡️ Shop Farmland Traditions Holiday Favorites on Amazon

Happy Holidays from our family to yours – because good dogs deserve great traditions. ❤️