Can dogs eat Mince Pies?
No - Mince Pies is toxic to dogs
No - mince pies are dangerous for dogs. The mincemeat is packed with raisins, currants and sultanas, all of which can cause sudden kidney failure. Suet, sugar and often brandy make it worse.
Last reviewed
How much is safe?
None. Mince Pies is never safe for dogs - not even a little.
None. There is no safe quantity of mincemeat for a dog.
Symptoms to watch for
Vomiting is usually first, often within a few hours, followed by lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and increased or decreased urination. Kidney damage can develop over 24 to 72 hours, so a dog that seems fine on the evening is not in the clear.
Think they have eaten Mince Pies?
Immediately, even if your dog seems perfectly well and even if it was only part of one. Early treatment matters enormously with vine-fruit poisoning, and waiting for symptoms is waiting too long. Tell them roughly how much and when.
We read labels, we are not vets - in an emergency your vet is the only right answer.
What happens
Dried vine fruit is the problem, and mincemeat is mostly dried vine fruit. Raisins, sultanas and currants can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, and nobody has worked out why some dogs are affected badly while others seem fine - which means there is no safe amount. A single mince pie is a genuine risk to a small dog. On top of that the pastry is rich in suet, the filling is heavy with sugar, and many recipes include brandy or rum.
Can dogs eat these?
Common questions
My dog ate a mince pie - what should I do?
Phone your vet now, before symptoms appear. Mincemeat is mostly raisins, sultanas and currants, which can cause acute kidney failure, and there is no established safe dose. Treatment is far more effective started early.
Are mince pies toxic to dogs?
Yes. The dried vine fruit in the filling is the danger, and it is the bulk of the filling. The suet, sugar and alcohol in many recipes add further problems on top.
Sources
Veterinary and animal-welfare references behind this verdict. We are not vets - these are the published sources we read.
- Food Hazards in Animals MSD Veterinary Manual
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Foods Dogs Can't Eat Battersea
Looking for a food to feed instead? browse the directory or read the guides.
This is label analysis, not veterinary advice - if your dog has a health condition, talk to your vet before switching foods.