Dog Christmas treats are a category that ranges from genuinely excellent to genuinely problematic, often with very similar packaging. Here's a complete guide to navigating it well.
What Makes a Christmas Treat Actually Good
A good dog Christmas treat is, first and foremost, a good dog treat. The seasonal element — the shape, the flavour, the packaging — should be an addition to quality ingredients, not a substitute for them.
The ingredients list is your guide. A short, recognisable list is good. A long list of derivatives, additives, and artificial colourings is not — regardless of how festive the packaging is.
Christmas Treat Categories
Festive Flavour Natural Treats
Treats made with genuinely seasonal ingredients: turkey, cranberry, venison, game birds, winter herbs. These bring something new to the dog's palate while maintaining natural ingredient standards. Our Christmas dog treats range focuses on this category — seasonal flavours without compromising ingredient quality.
Advent Calendar Treats
The daily treat format — small enough to give every morning for 24 days without overfeeding. Our dog advent calendars use natural treats in appropriately sized daily portions. The format is the fun; the ingredients still matter.
Long-Lasting Christmas Chews
Christmas is a brilliant time for long-lasting chews — they keep the dog occupied during meals, during guest visits, and during the afternoon chaos. Premium natural chews from our treats range are the most practical Christmas present a dog owner can receive.
The Dog Christmas Cake
Our dog birthday cakes work equally well as Christmas cakes — naturally made, safe ingredients, genuinely enjoyable for the dog. The Christmas moment of presenting a cake is genuinely worth having.
What to Absolutely Avoid
- Anything containing xylitol — toxic to dogs, found in some festive baked products
- Chocolate in any form — including carob-coated products that aren't specifically dog-safe
- Mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake — all contain raisins or sultanas, which are highly toxic
- Turkey bones — cooked bones splinter and can cause serious internal damage
- Gravy and stuffing — typically contain onion and garlic, both toxic to dogs
- Alcohol in any form — even a small amount can be seriously harmful
The Best Christmas Treat Strategy
Buy a small selection of genuinely good natural treats for Christmas Day itself. Have long-lasting chews ready for the busy periods. Use an advent calendar to build the daily ritual through December. And stock up in advance — delivery times slow around Christmas and the best options sell out.
👉 Browse our full Christmas dog treats range here
👉 Explore our full natural dog treats range
👉 See our dog advent calendars
