Holiday Dishes and Leftovers: What Can Dogs Eat?
We’ve reviewed 10 holiday dishes and leftovers so far. 7 are better skipped. 3 are toxic.
Reviewed by Dr. Adam Polosetski, DVM · 89 foods, each with its veterinary sources · updated Oct 20, 2026
Quick answers
Which holiday dishes and leftovers can dogs eat?
None of the holiday dishes and leftovers we’ve reviewed so far make a good treat.
Which holiday dishes and leftovers should dogs avoid?
Toxic: Moldy food and compost, Stuffing and S’mores. Better skipped: Birthday cake (human), Coleslaw, Cooked bones, Fatty trimmings and fried food, Gravy, Kimchi and Pumpkin pie. If your dog ate something toxic, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away, even if she seems fine. Both answer 24/7. Don’t try to make her vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Which holiday dishes and leftovers can dogs eat?
| Food | Can she eat it? | The short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Birthday cake (human) | Skip it | No, skip regular birthday cake; a lick of plain sponge won't usually hurt, but human cake has sugar and milk, and can hide chocolate, raisins, nuts or xylitol. |
| Coleslaw | Skip it | No, skip coleslaw: many recipes include onion and the dressing is mostly mayo and sugar, so give her a few plain shreds of cabbage before the dressing goes on instead. |
| Cooked bones | Skip it | No, dogs should never get turkey bones, because they splinter and can get stuck or cut the throat or stomach. |
| Fatty trimmings and fried food | Skip it | No. Fat trimmings, grease and fried foods aren't poisonous, but they can upset her stomach and can trigger pancreatitis, which can be serious or even fatal. |
| Gravy | Skip it | No, dogs shouldn't have gravy, since it is mostly fat and salt and often contains onion or garlic. |
| Kimchi | Skip it | No, don't give dogs kimchi, because it's usually made with garlic and green onion. |
| Moldy food and compost | Toxic | No, moldy food, garbage and compost can contain mold toxins that cause tremors and seizures in dogs, even in small amounts. |
| Pumpkin pie | Skip it | No, skip pumpkin pie and sweetened pie filling; give her a spoonful of plain 100% pumpkin instead. |
| Stuffing | Toxic | No, dogs shouldn't eat stuffing, because it often contains onion and garlic and sometimes raisins or grapes. |
| S’mores | Toxic | No, s'mores are risky for dogs because of the chocolate, not the marshmallow or graham cracker. |
