Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread? No — Skip the Cookies
No, dogs should not eat gingerbread. A plain crumb is unlikely to cause harm, but gingerbread cookies, houses and cake are high in sugar and fat, often spiced with nutmeg, and some contain xylitol or raisins, which can poison dogs. Decorations add candy, frosting and sometimes chocolate. If your dog ate gingerbread with xylitol, raisins or chocolate, or a large amount of any kind, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why gingerbread is a problem for dogs
Ginger itself is not the issue. Gingerbread is a sweet baked good made with flour, butter, molasses or brown sugar and a blend of spices, so it is calorie-dense and rich. The AKC notes that the sugar, fat and calories in baked goods can contribute to obesity and digestive upset in dogs.
The spice blend usually includes cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Cinnamon is not considered toxic in the amounts used in baking, and Pet Poison Helpline says the small amounts of nutmeg in recipes are very unlikely to cause serious toxicity. A dog that eats a whole tray or a gingerbread house is a different matter.
Warning: xylitol, raisins, chocolate and nutmeg
Some sugar-free and reduced-sugar baked goods are made with xylitol, which VCA warns causes a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. Raisins and currants, common in spiced cakes and fruit breads, can cause kidney failure. Chocolate chips, chocolate decorations and cocoa are also toxic to dogs.
A large amount of nutmeg can cause disorientation, a fast heart rate, high blood pressure and abdominal pain, lasting up to 48 hours, according to Pet Poison Helpline. Raw gingerbread dough is risky too, and leavened doughs can expand in the stomach.
If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.
What to do if your dog ate gingerbread
Check the recipe or packaging. If it contains xylitol, raisins, currants or chocolate, or your dog ate a large amount, a whole gingerbread house, or raw dough, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 now; a fee may apply. Have your dog's weight and the amount ready.
If it was one plain cookie with none of those ingredients, watch your dog for the rest of the day for vomiting, diarrhea or restlessness and make sure water is available. Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Is any amount of gingerbread okay?
There is no amount worth recommending. A single crumb is unlikely to harm a dog over 50 lb, but one whole cookie is a large share of the daily calories of a dog under 20 lb, and you rarely know every ingredient in store-bought or gifted cookies.
Dogs that are overweight, diabetic or have had pancreatitis should not have any. If you want your dog to join in, bake a dog-safe treat with plain ingredients instead.
Can puppies eat gingerbread?
No. Puppies are small, so sugar, fat and spice hit them harder, and a single cookie can be a large share of their daily calories. Puppies are also the most likely to raid a gingerbread house or a plate left on the coffee table.
If your puppy ate gingerbread, check the ingredients and call your vet if it contained xylitol, raisins or chocolate, or if your puppy vomits more than once or seems unwell.
Signs gingerbread disagreed with your dog, and when to call the vet
Rich food often causes vomiting, diarrhea or gas within a few hours. After xylitol, signs such as vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, collapse or seizures can begin quickly. After a large amount of nutmeg, watch for disorientation, a racing heart or agitation.
After raisins, vomiting may start within hours, with reduced urination and lethargy over the next one to three days. Any of those signs, or vomiting that will not stop, means your dog needs to be seen by a vet today.
Keeping dogs safe around Christmas baking
Cool cookies and gingerbread houses well out of reach, not on a low table or the edge of the counter. Keep cookie tins closed, and ask guests not to share treats. Gift boxes of cookies under the tree are easy for a dog to find and open.
For a festive treat, mix a little plain canned pumpkin and flour into a dough with no sugar, spices or xylitol, and bake small shapes. A food puzzle or long-lasting chew keeps your dog busy while the family enjoys dessert.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat ginger snaps?
It is best not to share them. Ginger snaps are sugary and spiced like gingerbread, and some brands may include ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. Check the label for xylitol if your dog ate some.
Can dogs eat gingerbread cookies with icing?
No. Icing and candy decorations add more sugar, and some sprinkles and decorations contain chocolate. Check the ingredients for xylitol, raisins and chocolate, and call your vet if any are present.
My dog ate a gingerbread house, what should I do?
Call your vet or a poison helpline now. A gingerbread house combines a large amount of sugar and fat with candy and frosting, and you need to check for xylitol, chocolate and raisins.
Is nutmeg toxic to dogs?
Nutmeg contains myristicin, which can cause disorientation, a fast heart rate and high blood pressure in large amounts. The small amounts in baking are unlikely to cause serious harm.
Can dogs eat gingerbread made for dogs?
Treats made and labeled for dogs are formulated without the sugar and ingredients that cause problems. Check the ingredient list and feed them within the treat allowance on the package.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
