Can Dogs Eat Ham? Christmas Ham, Bones and Glaze Explained
Ham is on the table at Thanksgiving (Thursday 26 November 2026), Christmas and Easter, and dogs find it irresistible. The short answer: a small piece of plain, lean cooked ham will not poison a healthy dog, but ham is a poor treat. It is one of the saltiest and fattiest meats we eat, the glaze is often the most dangerous part, and a cooked ham bone is a real emergency risk. Here is how to handle ham safely around dogs and cats this season.
Why ham is a problem for pets
- Salt: cured and smoked hams are packed with salt. A little extra salt makes dogs thirsty. A lot can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors and, in severe cases, salt poisoning. Small dogs and cats are at higher risk because the dose per kilo is bigger.
- Fat: fatty, rich foods are a well-known trigger for pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Vets see more of it after holiday meals, especially in small breeds and in dogs that have had it before.
- Glazes and seasonings: honey, brown sugar and fruit glazes are sugary, and some recipes add onion, garlic, raisins, cranberries cooked with raisins, or bourbon. Sugar-free glazes and sauces can contain xylitol, which is very dangerous to dogs.
- Bones: cooked bones become brittle and can splinter, cut the mouth or gut, get stuck in the throat or bowel, or break teeth.
Ham by type: quick table
| Ham product | Dogs | Cats | Main concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lean cooked ham, plain, fat trimmed | A fingertip-sized bite as a rare treat | A tiny taste at most | Salt and fat; not a regular treat |
| Glazed Christmas or Easter ham | Avoid | Avoid | Sugar, salt and sometimes onion, garlic, raisins or xylitol in the glaze |
| Ham fat, rind and crackling | Avoid | Avoid | High fat, a common trigger for pancreatitis |
| Ham bone (cooked) | Never | Never | Splinters, choking, blockages, broken teeth |
| Gammon or honey-roast ham | Avoid | Avoid | Very salty, sweet glaze |
| Prosciutto, Parma and other cured hams | Avoid | Avoid | Very high salt |
| Deli or sandwich ham | A shred at most | A shred at most | Salt, preservatives; some contain onion or garlic powder |
| Ham in stuffing, pie or casserole | Avoid | Avoid | Onion, garlic, rich pastry and fat |
If you want to share
- Choose plain, lean, unglazed ham, with all fat and rind removed.
- Keep it to a fingertip-sized piece for a small dog and a couple of small pieces for a large dog, once, not every day.
- Better still, give your pet plain cooked turkey breast or chicken without skin, or their own treats. Our guide to turkey for dogs and cats covers the safe parts of the bird.
- Skip it entirely for dogs that have had pancreatitis, have kidney or heart disease, or are on a low-salt diet.
What to do if your dog ate ham
- A small piece of plain ham: usually nothing to worry about. Make sure fresh water is available and watch for an upset stomach.
- A large amount, the fat or the glaze: call your vet for advice, especially for a small dog. Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, a hunched back, a sore belly or refusing food over the next one to four days, all signs of pancreatitis.
- A ham bone: do not try to make your dog vomit, because sharp pieces can do more damage on the way back up. Call your vet, and go in straight away if your dog is retching, drooling, choking, straining or has a swollen belly.
- Glaze with raisins, onion, garlic or xylitol: call your vet or a poison line right away, even if your dog seems fine. See what to do if your dog ate grapes or raisins.
In the US you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 (both may charge a consultation fee).
Cats and ham
Cats are less likely to steal a whole ham, but they are small, so a salty slice is a bigger dose for them. A tiny taste of plain ham will not usually harm a healthy cat, but it is not a good treat, and onion and garlic in glazes or stuffing are especially harmful to cats.
Holiday table tips
- Carve the ham away from the edge of the counter and never leave it unattended while you answer the door.
- Put the bone and the foil straight into a lidded bin, or outside, before you sit down.
- Ask guests not to slip scraps under the table; give them a pet-safe treat to hand out instead.
- For the full list of dangerous dishes, see Christmas foods that are toxic to dogs and our Thanksgiving pet safety guide.
Quick FAQ
Is ham toxic to dogs? No, ham itself is not toxic, but it is very salty and fatty. A tiny plain piece is fine for most healthy dogs; a large amount, the fat or the glaze can make them ill.
Can dogs eat ham bones? No. Cooked ham bones can splinter, choke or block the gut. Call your vet if your dog eats one.
Can dogs eat deli ham? A small shred will not hurt most dogs, but sandwich ham is salty and some brands add onion or garlic powder, so it should not be a regular treat.
How long after eating ham can pancreatitis start? Signs usually appear within one to four days. Call your vet if your dog vomits repeatedly, seems in pain or stops eating.
Sources: ASPCA: people foods to avoid feeding your pets; Merck Veterinary Manual: pancreatitis in small animals.