Fact-checked October 31, 2026
Demi's bed has a purple toy and a fluffy friend in it, and her wish list has a few more. Here's how to choose gifts that are as safe as they are fun.
Foods dogs should never have
The ASPCA lists these people foods to avoid feeding pets:
- Chocolate and caffeine
- Grapes and raisins (can lead to kidney damage)
- Xylitol
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Macadamia nuts
- Alcohol
- Raw meat, raw eggs and bones
- Salt
- Yeast dough
The FDA warns that xylitol hides in sugarless gum, some nut butters, toothpaste and mints, and can cause low blood sugar in dogs within 10 to 60 minutes. Use only pet toothpaste, and check nut-butter labels.
Picking a safe toy
- Size: VCA says a toy should never be small enough to fit entirely in your dog's mouth.
- Softness: toys should be soft enough to dent with a fingernail. For teething puppies, VCA says to avoid extremely hard toys like nylon, bones or antlers.
- Condition: remove toys that are breaking apart.
- Supervise: VCA's advice for chewing is simple: always supervise.
Chews to skip
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association advises avoiding cooked and raw bones and excessively hard chews such as antlers and hooves. VCA adds cow hooves, pig ears and hard rawhides to the avoid list. The ASPCA notes that chews that are too small may be swallowed whole and that smaller dogs may be more prone to rawhide blockage. Call a vet immediately if a chunk is swallowed.
For dental chews, the American Animal Hospital Association suggests choosing products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, in a size made for toy breeds.
How many treats?
WSAVA says treats should always make up less than 10% of a dog's daily calories, and should be an appropriate size and shape to reduce choking risk. For a dog Demi's size, that means tiny pieces. (VCA notes that small snacks add up to weight gain quickly in Chihuahuas.)
Friendly info, not veterinary, medical or legal advice. Rules, hours and fees change, so check the official source, and always ask your own vet about your pup.
