Can Dogs Have Christmas Cookies?

As you bake up your family’s favorite cookies this holiday, your dog is sure to spend plenty of time in the kitchen with you. Dogs can’t resist the warmth of the oven, the smell of cookies baking, and the chance that you’ll drop something delicious. Enjoy a safe holiday by getting to know the most common Christmas cookie ingredients that are toxic to dogs.

Christmas Cookie Ingredients That Are Toxic To Dogs

Both store-bought Christmas cookies and family recipes can contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. For some toxins, it only takes a tiny amount to cause an adverse reaction, while others are unlikely to be harmful if your dog sneaks just a bite or two. Since it’s not known exactly how much of an ingredient is “safe,” and some dogs are more sensitive than others, it’s best to steer clear of these ingredients or take extra care to make sure your dog does not get into them.

Cream of tartar is a lesser known toxin that’s dangerous to dogs even in small amounts. Cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate, is a byproduct of the winemaking process. It causes kidney failure in dogs, though it’s not known how much your dog would have to eat to be at risk for toxicity. Keep in mind that baking powder, another common cookie ingredient, contains cream of tartar.

Raisins are highly toxic to dogs, causing toxicity with as little as one raisin for dogs under ten pounds. Grapes and raisins contains tartaric acid, the component used to make cream of tartar, that, similarly, can cause severe kidney damage.

Chocolate is widely known to most pet parents as a danger to dogs, though it’s lesser known how dangerous it can be. Chocolate contains stimulants caffeine and theobromine, to which dogs are more sensitive than humans. Chocolate accelerates the heart rate and can cause vomiting, seizures, muscle tremors, and heart failure. The toxic components are found in cacao, which is found in higher concentrations in dark chocolate, semisweet chocolate, and baking chocolate than milk chocolate.

Butter and other fats including vegetable oil, coconut oil, and canola oil are not necessarily toxic to dogs, but can cause acute pancreatitis if consumed in high amounts, which can be found in butter cookies, rich cakes, and other sweets.

Sugar is not toxic to dogs, but too much sugar over time can lead to dental decay, obesity, and diabetes. Dogs love sweet foods and can easily overindulge.

Artificial sweetener, particularly xylitol, also known as birch sugar, is highly toxic to dogs even in tiny amounts. It stimulates dangerously low blood sugar and can kill in as little as one hour. Xylitol is not a common ingredient in Christmas cookies, though it’s found in “diet,” “sugar-free” “keto” and “diabetic-friendly” foods like peanut butter and chocolate chips.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Christmas Cookies

If your dog eats Christmas cookie batter, unsafe ingredients, or baked cookies that may contain toxins, call your veterinarian, nearest emergency vet hospital or pet poison helpline right away. Do not induce vomiting unless under the guidance of a veterinary professional, as the risk of aspiration could be life-threatening.
It takes about 20-45 minutes for your dog’s stomach contents to begin to reach the bloodstream, so do not delay care, even if you’re unsure if your dog has consumed an unsafe dosage of a toxin.

Making Dog Safe Christmas Cookies

Baking special dog-safe Christmas cookies is a great way to include your dog in the festivities without putting their health at risk. Popular, safe ingredients for dog Christmas cookies include 100% pure pumpkin puree, oatmeal, bananas, yogurt, eggs, and whole wheat flour. You can use carob chips in place of chocolate, and even add a little cinnamon and ginger to make doggy versions of your favorite family recipes.