Can dogs eat Christmas pudding or fruit cake?

Dried vine fruits are the biggest concern, because they can damage the kidneys, and the toxic amount varies from dog to dog. Alcohol in the pudding or cake adds the risk of alcohol poisoning, especially for small dogs. Suet and butter make it very fatty, which can bring on vomiting or pancreatitis.

Brandy butter and rum sauce served with the pudding add more alcohol and fat.

Be ready with your dog's weight, what was eaten, roughly how much, and when. Keep the packaging or recipe. For homemade puddings, estimate how much fruit and alcohol went in. Early treatment gives the best chance of protecting the kidneys, so do not wait for signs.

Signs of alcohol poisoning, such as wobbliness and drowsiness, can appear within an hour.

Mince pies are filled with dried fruit and suet. Christmas cake is often fed with brandy for weeks before it is iced. Stollen and panettone contain dried fruit and candied peel. Chocolate coins, selection boxes, and liqueur chocolates are also common around the same time.

Advent calendars left on low shelves are another frequent target.

Keep festive food on high surfaces or in closed cupboards, and clear plates quickly after meals. Brief guests, especially children, that the dog cannot share desserts. Prepare a small plate of plain turkey or a dog-safe chew so your dog has something special while everyone else enjoys pudding.