Pomeranian licking its lips on a pink background

Can Dogs Eat Christmas Ham? No — Here's Why (And What to Give Instead)

No, dogs shouldn't eat Christmas ham. It's very salty, very fatty and usually glazed with sugar, spices and sometimes onion or garlic. A tiny bit of plain lean meat is unlikely to cause harm, but a slice of glazed Christmas ham, the fatty trimmings or the bone can make your dog properly unwell. So the kindest thing you can do on Christmas Day is keep the ham on your plate.

Below we explain why ham is a problem, what to do if your dog sneaks some, which other Christmas foods to watch, and the safe treats you can give them instead so they don't miss out.

Why Christmas ham is a problem for dogs

1. It's very salty

Ham is cured, which means it's packed with salt. Dogs need a little salt, but a big salty meal can leave them very thirsty and upset their stomach. Small dogs feel it the most, because a single slice is a lot of salt for a small body.

2. It's very fatty

The fat on a Christmas ham, plus the crackling and trimmings that end up on the floor or in the bin, is the biggest worry. Rich, fatty food can upset a dog's stomach and is linked to pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas that often needs a vet visit.

3. The glaze isn't dog-friendly

Ham glazes are often made with brown sugar, honey, mustard, cloves and other spices. Some recipes and gravies also include onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs. You usually can't tell what's in a glaze just by looking at it, so it's safest to skip it entirely.

4. Cooked bones splinter

Never give your dog a ham bone. Cooked bones go brittle and can splinter, which can injure the mouth or cause a blockage in the gut. Keep the leftover ham bone well out of reach, and double-bag it before it goes in the bin.

Quick guide: what's safe at Christmas lunch?

Food

Safe for dogs?

Why

Glazed Christmas ham

❌ No

Too salty and fatty, and the glaze may contain onion or garlic

Ham fat, crackling and trimmings

❌ No

Very fatty, linked to pancreatitis

Cooked bones (ham, turkey, chicken)

❌ No

Can splinter and cause injury or blockages

Christmas pudding, fruit mince pies, fruitcake

❌ No

Contain grapes, raisins or sultanas, which are toxic to dogs

Chocolate

❌ No

Toxic to dogs, and dark chocolate is the worst

Macadamia nuts

❌ No

Toxic to dogs

Stuffing and gravy

❌ No

Often contain onion, garlic and lots of fat

Lollies and gum with xylitol

❌ No

Xylitol is very dangerous for dogs

Alcohol

❌ No

Never safe for dogs

Plain cooked turkey or chicken meat (no skin, no bones, no seasoning)

✅ A little

Lean protein, in small amounts

Plain carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato, green beans

✅ Yes

Simple veg with nothing added

Want more detail on the safe ones? We've written about carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato and chicken.

My dog ate ham. What should I do?

Don't panic. If your dog stole a small piece of lean ham, most dogs will be fine. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and keep an eye on them for the next day or two.

Call your vet, or an emergency vet, if:

  • they ate a lot of ham, fat or trimmings
  • they ate a bone, or you can't find a bone that was on the table
  • the ham had a glaze or stuffing that might contain onion or garlic
  • they're vomiting, have diarrhoea, seem flat or tired, won't eat, or their belly seems sore

Small dogs and dogs who've had tummy troubles before are more at risk, so call earlier rather than later. Before Christmas Day, look up the opening hours of your nearest emergency vet, because some regular clinics close over the holidays. RSPCA Australia's Knowledgebase also has more information on foods that aren't safe for pets.

7 tips for a dog-safe Christmas Day

  • ✅ Brief your guests. Ask everyone, especially kids, not to feed the dog from the table.
  • ✅ Secure the bin. Ham bones and fatty scraps in the bin are easy for a dog to get into.
  • ✅ Keep plates up high. Clear the table as soon as everyone's finished.
  • ✅ Watch the presents. Chocolates and macadamias under the tree are easy for a dog to sniff out.
  • ✅ Keep their routine. Normal meals at normal times help avoid tummy upsets.
  • ✅ Give them their own job. A snuffle toy with a few treats hidden inside keeps them busy and happy while you eat.
  • ✅ Have their own treats ready so they still feel included.
Small dog cuddling the Cinnamon Roll Snuffle Toy on a blanket

A snuffle toy with a few treats inside keeps them busy while you eat.

What to give your dog instead of ham

Your dog doesn't need ham to have a great Christmas. They just need something tasty that's made for them. All our protein treats are one protein and one vegetable, slow-dehydrated in our Melbourne kitchen, with nothing else added.

Pooches Pantry Turkey and Sweet Potato Patties pouch

Turkey & Sweet Potato Patties: their own Christmas turkey.

Remember that treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily food, even at Christmas. Looking for gift ideas too? See our Christmas gift guide for dogs.

FAQs

Can dogs eat ham?

It's best not to. Ham is high in salt and fat, and most hams are cured and glazed. A tiny piece of plain lean ham is unlikely to hurt, but it's not a good treat and it's easy to give too much.

Is ham toxic to dogs?

Plain ham isn't toxic in the way chocolate or grapes are. The problems are the high salt and fat, and anything toxic in the glaze, such as onion or garlic.

Can dogs eat ham bones?

No. Cooked bones can splinter and cause injuries or blockages. Never give your dog a cooked ham bone, and keep leftover bones out of reach of the bin.

Can dogs eat Christmas turkey?

A little plain cooked turkey meat, with no skin, bones, stuffing or gravy, is fine for most dogs. Our Turkey & Sweet Potato Patties are an easy way to share the Christmas turkey safely.

Can dogs eat pork crackling?

No. Crackling is very fatty and very salty, the same problems as ham, only worse.

Can dogs eat Christmas pudding?

No. Christmas pudding, fruit mince pies and fruitcake contain grapes, raisins or sultanas, which are toxic to dogs. If your dog eats any, call your vet straight away.

My dog ate ham and seems fine. Do I need to do anything?

Give them fresh water and watch them closely for the next 24 to 48 hours. If they start vomiting, have diarrhoea, seem tired or sore, or stop eating, call your vet.

What can I give my dog for Christmas instead?

Their own treats, a snuffle toy to keep them busy, or a dog advent calendar. Our Sleeps 'til Christmas calendar gives them a treat every day from 18 to 24 December.

So, can dogs eat Christmas ham?

No. Keep the ham, the fat and the bone for the humans, and give your dog something made for them instead. A few Turkey & Sweet Potato Patties, a snuffle toy to keep them busy, or their very own advent calendar will make their Christmas just as merry, without the tummy ache.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Pooches Pantry. 🎄🐾

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