The holidays are just around the corner! This is truly our favorite season—full of family, friends, doodles, and wonderful traditions. We love including our doodles in all aspects of the holidays; they make everything special!
With so many doodles—Bernedoodles, Goldendoodles, and Irishdoodles—who all feel like family to us, the holidays are a reminder of how important it is to keep every wagging tail safe and healthy. Over the years, we’ve seen those precious puppy eyes begging for a taste of whatever’s on our plates, and we’ve had more than a few puppy families ask what’s safe to share. So, we’re sharing our guide for safe holiday feasting that will keep your doodle happy and healthy!
The Naughty List: Holiday Foods to Avoid
Holiday tables are usually overflowing with rich, savory dishes that just aren’t doodle-friendly. It might feel natural to let a treat slip from your plate, but many holiday favorites can do more harm than good. Here are the foods we always keep away from our pups—and tell our puppy families to avoid, too!
Cooked Bones & Fatty Meats
That holiday ham or turkey may look perfect for sharing, but cooked bones from any roast can splinter, causing serious hazards like choking or internal injury. The fat and skin, too, are much too rich for doodles and can cause upset stomachs or even pancreatitis. We always keep these out of reach.
Onions, Garlic, and Alliums
From stuffing to casseroles, onions and garlic seem to sneak into everything this time of year. Leeks and chives—any member of the allium family—are toxic to dogs and can cause anemia. We double-check ingredients before offering any “people food” treats, and always encourage new families to do the same.
Grapes and Raisins
Whether in fruitcakes, breads, or sneaky within stuffings, grapes and raisins are a major no-go. They can cause sudden kidney failure in doodles (and all dogs), even in small amounts. For safety, all fruit-laden desserts and breads go on the “just for humans” section of the table.
Chocolate and Sweet Treats
You’d be amazed at how fast a doodle can find chocolate. All types of chocolate are off-limits—the darker, the more dangerous. And watch out for xylitol, a sugar substitute found in some holiday candies and baked goods, which is highly toxic to dogs. Please keep all sweets tucked away from their curious noses!
Nuts and Nutmeg
Certain nuts, especially macadamia nuts, can cause serious problems for doodles, and nutmeg (so common in holiday baking) can lead to tremors and high heart rates.
The Nice List: Safe Holiday Snacks for Your Doodle
Now for the feel-good part! There are plenty of ways to include your Bernedoodle, Goldendoodle, or Irishdoodle in the holiday cheer safely. We love setting aside special plates for our pups, and encouraging our puppy families to do the same.
Plain Turkey or Chicken
A few bites of plain, cooked turkey or chicken—no skin, bones, or seasoning—make great treats for doodles. High in protein and low in fat, these simple snacks are perfect for pups!
Plain Sweet Potatoes or Pumpkin
Both are fantastic for doodles. Baked, mashed, or served in small cooked chunks, sweet potatoes and pumpkin are packed with vitamins and fiber. Just make sure they are plain, with no added butter, sugar, or marshmallows, and 100% pure (not pie filling-it will have nutmeg and other possible dangers!).
Green Beans and Carrots
Set aside some unseasoned, steamed green beans or raw carrots for your doodles. Low in calories and high in crunch—our doodles love these!
Apples (No Core or Seeds)
Crisp apple slices are a favorite around here. Remove the core and all the seeds, and you’ve got yourself a tasty, vitamin-rich snack pups will love.
Tips for a Safe and Happy Holiday
We’ve gathered a few tricks that help keep everyone safe and stress-free when guests and extra treats arrive.
- Create a Safe Space: Set up a cozy spot away from the action—a crate with their favorite toys or a quiet room, so our doodles can relax when things get busy.
- Share the Rules: Remind guests not to feed pups from the table and to watch where they set their plates—especially those with sweets or bones.
- Trash Patrol: Holiday trash is full of tempting (but dangerous) leftovers. We use trash cans with secure lids and double-check that everything’s doodle-proof.
- Stick to the Routine: With all the excitement, we do our best to keep walks, meals, and playtime on schedule to help doodles stay happy and calm.
The holidays are about making memories with those you love! By taking a little extra care with what goes in the food bowl, our entire doodle family can enjoy a season that’s filled with joy, love, and plenty of safe holiday treats.
From all of us at Morning Glory Doodles, we wish you—and your doodles—a wonderful, safe, and tail-wagging holiday season!
As always feel free to explore our website at morningglorydoodles.com to see more blog posts, pictures of cute puppies, current litters looking for their forever homes and upcoming litters!
