Checked against the SaluPaws toxic-food database
Mincemeat is mostly raisins, sultanas and currants — dried grapes, which can cause acute kidney failure in dogs with no known safe amount — and it's often soaked in brandy too. Mince pies left on coffee tables are one of the most common Christmas poisonings UK vets see. One pie = call your vet.
Dried vine fruits are considered more dangerous weight-for-weight than fresh grapes, and one mince pie contains a concentrated dose. The toxicity is unpredictable — some dogs are fine after a stolen pie, others develop kidney failure from the same amount, and there's no way to know in advance which your dog will be. Full details in our grapes & raisins guide.
The same warning covers the whole festive baking family:
Call your vet or an animal poison line immediately (UK: Animal PoisonLine · US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control), even if your dog seems fine — early treatment is what protects the kidneys. Have ready: your dog's weight, how much was eaten, and when. Over Christmas, note your nearest out-of-hours emergency vet before you need it.
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Plain pastry isn't toxic, but it's rich and fatty — and be honest about whether any mincemeat went with it. If there's any chance filling was eaten, ring your vet; mincemeat clings to pastry more than it looks.
Immediately. Within the first couple of hours a vet can often induce vomiting before the toxin absorbs — that's the window where outcomes are best. Grape/raisin kidney damage that has set in cannot be undone.
Chocolate (advent calendars, selection boxes, tree decorations — see our chocolate guide), Christmas cake and pudding, onion gravy and stuffing, macadamia nuts, alcohol, cooked turkey bones, and blue cheese from the board (cheese guide).
Pet shops sell festive dog treats made without vine fruits, chocolate or alcohol — those are the safe route. Anything from the human tin is off-limits, and remember treats should stay under 10% of daily calories — check your dog's budget with the calorie calculator.
Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals — grape & raisin toxicity · The Kennel Club — seasonal poisons. This page is general guidance, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your dog has eaten a mince pie, contact your vet immediately.