A vet has issued a stark warning
Pet experts have issued a warning to all owners this festive season as some of the UK’s millions of dog owners have been forced to fork out more than £1,000. Households with dogs are being warned that surprising Christmas dinner items could be dangerous – and many pet owners may not know it.
While most owners already know things like chocolate and raisins can cause dogs harm, new research by ManyPets shows it’s actually gravy and stuffing causing chaos with many owners not knowing why it can be bad. Now, these “harmless” trimmings are behind a shocking number of emergency vet visits every Christmas.
Dr Kirsten Ronngren, ManyPets’ resident vet, says: “People might think it’s ok to hand over a little gravy or stuffing, but both can contain ingredients that are harmful for dogs.
“It’s not always the obvious things like chocolate – the biggest dangers can be hiding in plain sight on your Christmas plate. Stuffing often contains onions and garlic, which are toxic to dogs, while gravy is packed with salt and fat.”
The survey of 2,000 UK pet owners conducted by ManyPets in November 2025 found that one in three pet owners admitted their furry friend caused some kind of Christmas disaster – think toppled trees, shredded wrapping paper, chewed fairy lights and even pets swallowing decorations like baubles and tinsel.
But the real carnage is all about food. Over 40% say their pet ate something they shouldn’t and it was gravy, stuffing, pigs in blankets and mince pies that topped the list. Many of these foods hide dangerous ingredients like onions, garlic and cooked bones, all of which can trigger vomiting, digestive issues and even organ damage.
And it’s not cheap with half of the owners admitting they’ve had to fork out around £251 to £500 fixing festive mishaps whilst emergency vet bills have tipped past £1,000. Dr Kirsten adds that the chaos of Christmas also ramps up stress for pets.
The expert concluded: “The noise, the smells, the visitors – it can be overwhelming. Give your pet a quiet ‘safe zone’ with their bed and toys to help provide a space to decompress if they’re feeling anxious.”
