Supporting Pet Welfare at Christmas: Seasonal Insights from Buitelaar Pet Food
The festive season is a time of celebration for families — and for many, that includes their dogs. However, Christmas also brings a set of predictable welfare challenges that can impact canine health and wellbeing.
At Buitelaar Pet Food, pet welfare is central to how we approach nutrition, ingredient selection, and long-term partnerships. By understanding seasonal risks, we help ensure that the food dogs eat — and the environments they live in — continue to support their health during periods of change and indulgence.
Festive Foods: A Seasonal Risk to Canine Health
Christmas celebrations often centre around rich, indulgent foods that are unsuitable — and in some cases toxic — for dogs. From a pet nutrition perspective, this time of year consistently presents a higher risk of accidental ingestion of harmful ingredients.
Common festive foods that pose a danger to dogs include:
🍫 Chocolate
Contains theobromine, which dogs cannot metabolise effectively. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, tremors, irregular heart rhythms, and in severe cases, seizures.
🍇 Raisins, sultanas, and grapes
Often found in Christmas pudding, mince pies, and fruitcake, these fruits are associated with acute kidney failure in dogs, even when consumed in small quantities.
🧄 Onions and garlic
Widely used in stuffing, gravy, and cooked dishes, these ingredients can damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia.
🥂 Alcohol
Dogs are highly sensitive to alcohol, and ingestion can result in disorientation, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and more serious complications.
🦴 Rich or fatty table scraps
High-fat foods can trigger digestive upset or pancreatitis, particularly in dogs not accustomed to them.
Understanding these risks reinforces the importance of feeding dogs nutritionally appropriate diets, particularly during periods when human food is more accessible.
Seasonal Decorations and Household Hazards
Beyond food, Christmas introduces a range of environmental hazards that can affect pet safety. Decorations, plants, and festive accessories often enter the home for short periods, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Key seasonal hazards include:
- Tinsel, ribbons, and decorative packaging, which can cause choking or intestinal blockages if ingested
- Festive plants such as poinsettia, holly, mistletoe, and lilies, many of which are toxic to dogs
- Candles and open flames, which pose a burn or fire risk if knocked over
From a welfare standpoint, awareness of these hazards is an important part of creating safe environments for dogs during the festive season.
Noise, Visitors, and Changes in Routine
Christmas can also be a stressful time for dogs due to changes in routine, increased visitors, and seasonal noise, including fireworks. Dogs may experience heightened anxiety or stress, particularly if they are sensitive to loud sounds or unfamiliar environments.
Providing stability through familiar routines, safe resting spaces, and appropriate enrichment can play a role in supporting canine wellbeing during this period.
Why Seasonal Pet Welfare Matters to Us
At Buitelaar Pet Food, our commitment to pet welfare goes beyond individual products. Seasonal insights like those seen at Christmas help inform responsible nutrition strategies and reinforce the role of high-quality, appropriate pet food in supporting long-term health.
By recognising when welfare risks increase, we continue to support our partners with knowledge rooted in real-world experience, strong supply-chain relationships, and a shared commitment to doing what’s right for pets.
Supporting Pet Health — at Christmas and Beyond
Christmas is just one example of how seasonal change can influence pet welfare. From ingredient sourcing to product development, Buitelaar Pet Food works closely with its partners to ensure dogs receive nutrition that supports their health all year round.
From all of us at Buitelaar Group, we wish you a happy Christmas — and a festive season filled with safe snacks, fresh air, and plenty of wagging tails.
