The Dog's Christmas Menu: Food-Shaped Gifts for Dogs and Cats (Australia)

Every Christmas lunch has the same guest. They sit perfectly still beside the table, staring at the ham with the sorrow of a character in a very long film.

This guide is for that guest. It starts with what must stay on the people's table, then covers a Christmas menu they are allowed to keep: squeaky roasts, snuffle toys and a few outfits for the family photo, all from our pet snacks shelf. We started with a burrito pencil case, so a plush roast for the dog was always where this was heading.

What stays on the people's table

Lots of Christmas food is risky for pets. These are the big ones from RSPCA NSW and other RSPCA branches, so it is worth reading theirs too:

• Chocolate. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, so keep the tree presents and advent calendars up high.
• Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants. That means fruit cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies. They can damage a pet's kidneys.
• Cooked bones. Ham and turkey bones can splinter and cause serious internal injuries.
• Ham, gravy and fatty scraps. Rich food can bring on pancreatitis.
• Onion, garlic, chives, macadamias and alcohol. Check the stuffing and leave no glasses at nose height.
• Lilies. A cat risk rather than a food one, and a serious one. Keep them out of any house with a cat.

If your pet eats any of these, ring your vet straight away rather than waiting to see what happens. Tell your guests too.

The Christmas roast that squeaks

Give them their own lunch before yours comes out, and the staring may ease off. No promises.

Food-Shaped Squeaky Pet Plush Toys (from $28.95 AUD)

Twelve squeaky dishes to choose from, including turkey, ham, taco, double burger, popcorn and a very earnest Chinese cabbage. Each one has a squeaker and weighs about 70 to 250 g depending on the dish, so pick the size that suits your dog.

Food Plush Squeaky Dog Toy (from $24.95 AUD)

Smiling plush toast, pizza, fries, hot dog, drumstick and more, each with a built-in squeaker. Buy two and swap them over, which brings us neatly to the next bit.

How to run a snuffle game

Snuffle toys hide treats in the folds, so your pet has to use their nose to find them. It is a handy way to keep a dog busy while the oven is on. The trick is making it easy at first:

1. Start in plain sight. Leave a few treats poking out, so your dog learns the toy has food in it.
2. Use their usual food. Take some of the day's kibble or treats rather than adding extras, especially at Christmas.
3. Tuck deeper as they improve. Fold the pieces in further once they are finding everything quickly.
4. Finish while it is still fun. Pick the toy up when the food is gone, so it stays special rather than becoming a chew.

Roast Dinner Snuffle Dog Toy ($31.95 AUD)

A soft fleece roast with veg tucked inside and room for hiding treats. It is the only roast in the house your dog is encouraged to take apart.

Bread Machine Snuffle Dog Toy ($42.95 AUD)

A red plush bread machine, 27 x 15 x 16 cm, with plush toast slices that pull out and treat spots to fill. The size suits medium to large dogs.

Burger Sandwich Pet Toy ($27.95 AUD)

Plush fillings and ribbons tuck into a stitched bun, with crinkly paper inside. It is about 13 x 13 x 6 cm, and it comes as a Burger or a Sandwich.

Takeaway for the small dogs

Little mouths do better with light toys, so start here. The sushi at the end is the one to try on a cat.

Fast Food Pet Plush Toy Set ($23.95 AUD)

Burger, fries, milkshake or pizza, each with a squeaker and crinkle paper. They weigh just 31 to 55 g, so even a tiny dog can carry one around with pride.

Cheese Wedge Crinkle Dog Toy ($23.95 AUD)

A soft plush wedge, about 12 x 11 cm, with crinkle paper and a squeaker, made for small to medium dogs. Finally, cheese nobody has to share.

Donut Squeaky Pet Plush Toy ($23.95 AUD)

A 15 cm squeaky donut, about 53 g, with embroidered sprinkles. Choose Pink, Brown, Green or Blue, so each dog in the pack can have their own.

Sushi Roll Plush Pet Toy ($25.95 AUD)

One for the cat, or the dog who shares. This soft salmon sushi plush is about 20 x 16 cm and suits both dogs and cats.

Choosing a safe toy

Plush food toys are for playing with, not for leaving a determined chewer alone with. A few habits help:

• Size up if unsure. A toy should be too big to fit fully in your pet's mouth.
• Stay nearby. Supervise play, particularly with anything that squeaks or has small parts.
• Bin it when it opens up. If stuffing or a squeaker comes out, the toy is finished.
• Know your chewer. A dog who destroys everything in minutes may be better off with snuffle time and you close by.

Dressed for the Christmas photo

Outfits are for a quick photo, not for the whole day. Have treats ready, keep it short, and take it off the moment your pet looks unhappy. Never leave ties on a pet you are not watching.

Strawberry & Froggy Crochet Cat Hat Set ($25.95 AUD)

Two hand-crocheted hats in one set, made for cats around 3 to 7 kg, with ties so you can set the fit. Your cat will judge you either way.

Gingerbread Crochet Pet Collar ($25.95 AUD)

A crocheted bib collar with a tiny gingerbread man at the front. M fits necks up to about 25 cm and L up to about 30 cm. For more of the same theme, see our gingerbread gifts guide.

Hot Dog Pet Costume for Dogs & Cats (from $33.95 AUD)

A soft bun, sausage, mustard and lettuce frill, held on with hook-and-loop straps. It comes in six sizes from XS to XXL, so measure the back and chest first and check the size guide.

Quick picks by budget

• Stocking filler: the donut or the cheese wedge, both on our gifts under $30 AUD shelf.
• Keeps them busy during lunch: the Roast Dinner or Burger snuffle toy.
• For the family photo: the hot dog costume or the gingerbread collar.
• One gift for the human too: browse our Christmas gifts or the stocking fillers guide.

The whole menu lives on the pet snacks shelf.

Shipping

Shipping is free on orders of $50 AUD or more (a flat $7.95 AUD under that). We pack within 1 to 3 business days and items arrive in 10 to 18 business days. For Christmas, order by Friday 20 November.

FAQ

What can I give my dog for Christmas instead of table scraps?

A toy of their own, or a little of their usual food hidden in a snuffle toy. Both give them a share of the day without the risks of ham, gravy or cooked bones.

Are food-shaped dog toys a good idea, or do they teach dogs to want food?

Your dog already wants the food. A toy shaped like a burger is simply a toy to them, and the important part is choosing the right size and supervising play.

Are these toys suitable for cats?

The sushi plush and the crochet hats and collar are made with cats in mind. For the rest, check each product page, because most are designed for dogs.

Merry Christmas to you and your very patient guest,
Poppy x
Store Manager, Scribble Snacks