AVOID — We recommend not giving holiday bread stuffing to dogs; it often contains onion, garlic or raisins.
This page covers bread-based stuffing, the kind served with a holiday turkey. Recipes often include onion and garlic, and sometimes raisins or grapes, all of which are toxic to dogs.
If your dog ate stuffing, check the recipe. If it contained raisins or grapes, contact a veterinarian, or an emergency veterinary clinic out of hours, straight away. If it contained onion or garlic, contact your veterinarian. Contact a veterinarian urgently if your dog is weak, has pale gums or is vomiting.
onion and garlic; raisins or grapes in some recipes; fat
Suitable as everyday food
no
The full answer
Stuffing, also called dressing, is a bread-based side dish usually cooked with or served alongside a holiday turkey.
PetMD warns that stuffing often contains onions, garlic, and sometimes raisins or grapes, which are toxic to dogs. AKC also lists onion-filled stuffing among holiday foods to keep away from dogs.
This page covers bread-based holiday stuffing only, not other fillings or stuffed foods.
Risks and Things to Know
Onion and garlic, including powders and stock.
Raisins or grapes in some recipes.
Butter, fat and seasonings: stomach upset.
How Much Can Dogs Eat?
Not recommended as food or a treat.
How Should I Prepare It?
Not recommended in any form.
Keep holiday leftovers and plates out of reach.
What If My Dog Ate Too Much?
If your dog ate stuffing that contained raisins or grapes, contact a veterinarian, or an emergency veterinary clinic out of hours, straight away. If it contained onion or garlic, contact your veterinarian, and urgently if your dog is weak or has pale gums.
This guide is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. If your dog has eaten something potentially toxic or is showing concerning symptoms, contact a veterinarian promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend not. Stuffing often contains onion and garlic, and sometimes raisins or grapes.
Bread-based holiday stuffing or dressing, the kind served with turkey.
Check the recipe. Contact a veterinarian straight away if it had raisins or grapes, and contact your veterinarian if it had onion or garlic.
It is still a rich, seasoned dish and is not covered by this answer.
They are toxic to dogs; see our Onions and Garlic pages.
Plain bread has its own page.
How this guide was written
Last updated 2 October 2026. We write from widely published, mainstream pet-health sources and avoid presenting feeding amounts as veterinary prescriptions.
