How to Choose a Safe Christmas Stocking for Your Dog

Updated July 2026

Christmas stockings for dogs can look like an easy festive present.

They often contain a mixture of:

• treats
• chews
• balls
• rope toys
• squeaky toys
• biscuits
• novelty accessories

Some contain perfectly usable items. Others include products that are too small, too hard, unsuitable for your dog’s diet or unlikely to survive more than a few minutes of chewing.

The problem is not simply whether the stocking came from a supermarket, pet shop or online retailer.

The important question is whether each item is suitable for your dog.

Before giving your dog a pre-filled stocking, open it yourself and inspect everything inside.

Check:

• the toy size
• how easily the toy can break
• whether there are loose parts
• whether the treat ingredients are clear
• whether the chews suit your dog
• whether the food fits their health and diet
• whether packaging could be swallowed
• whether supervision will be needed

You may decide that the complete stocking is suitable.

You may keep one or two items and discard the rest.

You may find it easier to create your own simple stocking using products and food your dog already knows.

For wider festive safety advice, read 12 Christmas Hazards That Could Ruin Your Dog’s Christmas.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only include products that fit the calm, welfare-led approach I use, but you must still choose the correct size and suitability for your individual dog.

The quick answer

A dog Christmas stocking is more likely to be suitable when:

• every item has clear labelling
• treats have a full ingredient list
• toys are large enough for your dog
• toys match your dog’s chewing style
• chews are not extremely hard
• nothing has small detachable parts
• edible items fit your dog’s normal diet
• the contents can be used under appropriate supervision

Avoid or remove items that are:

• too small
• easy to swallow
• brittle
• fraying
• damaged
• unlabelled
• extremely hard
• high in calories without clear portion guidance
• unsuitable for your dog’s medical diet
• likely to encourage resource guarding
• unfamiliar when your dog has a sensitive stomach

PDSA identifies balls, rawhide chews and small toys among common choking hazards. It recommends choosing toys larger than the dog’s throat and chews that are soft enough to indent with a fingernail.

Do not give the stocking directly to your dog

A festive stocking is packaging, not a dog toy.

Do not allow your dog to:

• pull it down from a fireplace
• tear through the fabric
• chew the hanging loop
• swallow decorative material
• eat through plastic packaging
• remove every item without supervision

Open the stocking yourself.

Remove:

• tags
• staples
• plastic ties
• ribbons
• tape
• labels
• cardboard
• plastic wrappers
• silica-gel packets
• promotional inserts

Christmas wrapping, ribbons, string, soft-toy parts and batteries can all cause serious problems when chewed or swallowed.

Check each item separately.

Do not judge the stocking solely by:

• the price
• the packaging
• the shop’s reputation
• the word “premium”
• the number of items
• festive colours
• positive customer reviews

A stocking containing ten inexpensive items is not necessarily better value than one suitable toy your dog will use safely for years.

Ask four questions about every item:

1. Is it suitable for my dog’s size?
2. Is it suitable for how my dog plays or chews?
3. Is it suitable for my dog’s health and diet?
4. Can I supervise it safely?

When the answer to any question is no, do not give that item to your dog.

Choose the correct toy size.

A toy should be too large for your dog to swallow or lodge at the back of their throat.

Consider:

• the width of the dog’s mouth
• the size of the throat
• whether the toy becomes smaller when compressed
• whether pieces could break away
• whether the dog habitually swallows rather than chews

A toy marketed for a medium dog may still be too small for a determined spaniel, Labrador or bull breed.

Equally, an oversized toy may be too heavy or uncomfortable for a small dog.

PDSA recommends choosing toys that cannot fit completely inside the dog’s mouth. (pdsa.org.uk)

Balls

A small ball can become lodged at the back of a dog’s throat.

Choose a ball that:

• cannot fit completely inside the mouth
• is designed for dogs
• remains intact when compressed
• does not have loose decorative material
• suits the dog’s jaw size

Replace it when it becomes:

• split
• cracked
• punctured
• misshapen
• small enough to swallow
• covered in loose fragments

Do not encourage your dog to jump and catch a small ball directly from the air.

PDSA advises offering toys and food from the ground rather than throwing them directly into a dog’s mouth, particularly where choking is a concern.

Soft and squeaky toys

A soft toy may be suitable for a dog who carries it gently.

It may be unsuitable for a dog who immediately:

• opens seams
• removes the squeaker
• pulls out stuffing
• swallows fabric
• tears off eyes, ears or limbs

Check for:

• glued decorations
• plastic eyes
• bells
• squeakers
• loose stitching
• ribbons
• easily removed hats or scarves

Supervise the first play session.

Remove the toy when:

• a seam opens
• stuffing appears
• the squeaker becomes accessible
• pieces begin to detach

Most soft toys should be treated as supervised play items rather than something left available for unrestricted chewing. Blue Cross warns that pieces of damaged toys can be swallowed and cause dangerous blockages.

Rope toys

Rope toys can be useful for interactive tug games when they are:

• large enough
• intact
• used with supervision
• put away after the game

They become unsuitable when strands begin to loosen.

Swallowed strands can create a serious foreign-body risk.

Do not leave a fraying rope toy available for solitary chewing.

A tug toy should also have enough length to keep your hands away from the dog’s mouth.

Rubber toys and food toys

A robust rubber food toy can be a useful Christmas present when:

• it is the correct size
• the rubber strength suits the dog
• the dog does not remove and swallow chunks
• the filling is suitable
• it is cleaned properly

A KONG Classic Dog Toy on Amazon is one product I have used and recommended for years.

It can be filled with part of the dog’s measured meal rather than additional high-calorie treats.

Choose the correct KONG range for your dog. A puppy, gentle adult and extremely powerful chewer may require different rubber strengths and sizes.

Check the toy regularly and replace it when damaged.

No food toy should be described as completely indestructible.

Licking mats

A licking mat can provide a calm food activity for some dogs.

A LickiMat Classic Dog Mat on Amazon can be used with a thin layer of suitable food.

Possible fillings include part of the dog’s normal wet food or another ingredient already known to be suitable.

A licking mat is not a chew toy.

Supervise your dog and remove it when they:

• finish the food
• begin chewing the mat
• lift or tear the edges
• attempt to swallow pieces
• become frustrated

Read Dog Enrichment Safety: When a Brain Game Becomes Frustrating before introducing a new activity.

Are rawhide chews safe?

The old article claimed that rawhide is routinely treated with named toxic industrial chemicals.

That claim should be removed because it cannot be applied reliably to every product.

There are still sound reasons not to include rawhide in a dog’s Christmas stocking.

Rawhide can:

• soften into large pieces
• become a choking hazard
• be swallowed
• create a digestive blockage
• cause stomach upset
• vary considerably in quality

PDSA recommends avoiding rawhide because it may splinter or break into pieces that can cause injury or obstruction. It also warns that the quality and safety of imported products can vary. (pdsa.org.uk)

Blue Cross advises avoiding large rawhide or similar chews for dogs who tend to swallow pieces rather than chewing them properly.

I do not recommend rawhide.

My reason is the unnecessary risk of choking and blockage, not an unsupported claim that every rawhide chew contains the same chemicals.

Very hard chews

A chew can be too hard even when it is natural.

Very hard products may damage:

• teeth
• gums
• existing dental work

PDSA recommends checking whether a chew can be indented with your fingernail. Anything harder may increase the risk of fractured teeth or sore gums.

Take particular care with:

• antlers
• bones
• hooves
• very hard nylon products
• extremely hard dried chews

A product being sold for dogs does not prove it is appropriate for every dog.

Ask your vet for advice when your dog:

• has damaged teeth
• has dental disease
• is elderly
• has had dental surgery
• chews with unusual force
• swallows large pieces

Cooked and natural bones

Do not place cooked bones in a dog’s stocking.

Cooked bones can:

• splinter
• injure the mouth
• damage the digestive tract
• cause constipation
• become stuck
• create a blockage

PDSA advises keeping bones out of pets’ reach because they can choke an animal, obstruct the digestive system or damage internal tissue.

Natural does not automatically mean safe.

Read the complete treat label.

Do not rely only on the picture on the front.

Check:

• full ingredients
• calorie information
• feeding instructions
• expiry date
• storage requirements
• country of manufacture
• allergen information
• suitability for puppies or seniors
• whether the product is a complementary treat
• whether individual pieces are suitable for your dog’s size

Avoid treats with missing or unclear labelling.

The packaging should allow you to identify exactly what your dog is eating.

Check for toxic or unsuitable ingredients

Dog treats should not contain ingredients such as:

• chocolate or cocoa
• raisins
• sultanas
• currants
• grapes
• onion
• garlic
• leek
• shallot
• chives
• macadamia nuts
• alcohol
• caffeine
• xylitol or birch sugar

Christmas human foods containing chocolate, dried vine fruits, alcohol or members of the onion family should remain completely separate from the dog’s stocking. (pdsa.org.uk)

Contact your vet immediately when your dog eats a known toxic food.

Do not wait for symptoms.

Treats for dogs with medical conditions

A festive treat may be unsuitable when your dog:

• has pancreatitis
• has diabetes
• has kidney disease
• has liver disease
• has inflammatory bowel disease
• has food allergies
• is completing an elimination diet
• follows a prescribed veterinary diet
• needs strict weight management
• has difficulty swallowing

Do not assume that one small Christmas treat will not matter.

An unfamiliar rich or fatty treat may trigger digestive problems in a susceptible dog.

For a dog on a veterinary diet, ask your veterinary team whether any extras are permitted.

Count Christmas treats within the daily allowance

A stocking can contain several days or weeks of treats.

It does not need to be eaten on Christmas Day.

Divide the treats into small portions and include them within your dog’s normal food allowance.

Remember that calories may also come from:

• Christmas dinner
• chews
• training rewards
• enrichment activities
• food offered by visitors
• advent calendars
• leftovers

Too many new foods at once can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort even when none of the individual ingredients is poisonous.

Read Dog Treats: How to Choose Healthier Options.

Check the expiry date and storage instructions

Pre-filled stockings may be purchased weeks before Christmas.

Check:

• use-by or best-before date
• whether treats need refrigeration after opening
• whether packaging remains sealed
• whether the contents smell or look unusual
• whether the stocking has been stored somewhere warm or damp

Discard treats that are:

• mouldy
• damaged
• unsealed
• damp
• discoloured
• past their use-by date
• missing essential labelling

Do not keep edible meat-based treats inside a fabric stocking in a warm room.

Be careful with festive biscuits

A biscuit shaped like a snowman or Christmas tree is still a treat.

The shape and colour do not make it healthier.

Check:

• ingredients
• portion size
• calories
• whether icing or decoration is dog-suitable
• whether the treat is hard enough to damage vulnerable teeth
• whether it is appropriate for your dog’s diet

A large decorated biscuit may contain several normal treat portions.

Break it into smaller pieces rather than giving the complete biscuit automatically.

Homemade dog treats

Making your own treats allows you to control the ingredients, but homemade does not automatically mean balanced, low-calorie, or suitable for every dog.

Use a simple recipe with ingredients your dog already tolerates.

Avoid recipes containing:

• human stock
• gravy
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• sugar
• salt
• nutmeg
• dried fruit mixtures
• unknown nut butters
• rich Christmas leftovers

Read Safe Homemade Christmas Dog Treats for simple recipes, storage guidance and portion advice.

Do not leave fresh or meat-based homemade treats in a stocking overnight.

Packaging presents its own risk

A dog may be more interested in the packet than the toy.

Remove and dispose of:

• plastic wrappers
• foil
• cardboard
• string
• ribbons
• sticky tape
• twist ties
• price tags
• staples
• plastic hangers
• silica-gel packets

Do not allow your dog to unwrap edible gifts alone.

PDSA advises keeping sticky tape, bows, ribbons, string, soft-toy parts and battery-powered items away from pets because swallowing them can cause choking, injury or obstruction.

Silica-gel packets

Silica-gel packets are commonly included to control moisture.

The contents are often considered relatively low toxicity, but the packet can still be:

• swallowed
• chewed
• inhaled
• a choking risk
• part of a larger packaging ingestion

Remove every packet before giving the item to your dog.

Contact your veterinary practice when your dog swallows a sachet, particularly when:

• the contents are unknown
• several were eaten
• the packet was large
• the dog is small
• symptoms develop

Keep the packaging so your vet can identify the product.

Batteries and electronic toys

A novelty toy containing a battery is not suitable for unsupervised use.

Chewed or swallowed batteries can cause serious internal injury.

Keep battery-powered human toys and presents away from your dog, particularly during Christmas morning when packaging and gifts are spread across the floor.

Read: The dangers of batteries.

Check that:

• battery compartments are secure
• loose batteries are removed immediately
• children’s toys are put away
• remote controls are inaccessible
• damaged electronic items are discarded safely

Blue Cross and PDSA both warn about batteries and small toy parts during the festive period.

Novelty clothing and accessories

A Christmas jumper, hat, bow tie or antler headband may look amusing, but your dog may not enjoy wearing it.

Signs of discomfort can include:

• freezing
• turning away
• lowering the body
• licking the lips
• pawing at the item
• trying to remove it
• hiding
• becoming restless

Do not force a dog to wear a costume for photographs.

Check that any accessory:

• does not restrict breathing
• does not cover the eyes
• does not tighten around the neck
• does not contain loose decorations
• does not affect movement
• cannot become caught
• is removed when unsupervised

Blue Cross advises considering whether festive clothing causes stress and suggests that a familiar collar or simple bandana may be more comfortable for dogs accustomed to wearing them.

Does your dog actually want another toy?

Dogs do not understand the price, brand or number of presents.

Your dog may value:

• their usual walk
• time to sniff
• a familiar toy
• a quiet rest
• a short training game
• time with you
• part of their normal meal in a food toy
• a calm routine

Christmas does not need to involve a pile of novelty products.

Buying fewer suitable items is better than giving several toys that your dog ignores or destroys.

A simple homemade Christmas stocking

A practical dog stocking could contain:

One familiar food toy

Choose the correct size and durability.

Use part of the dog’s normal food rather than adding a large amount of rich filling.

A small bag of suitable treats

Choose treats already known to agree with your dog.

Divide them over several days.

One interactive toy

A suitable tug toy, ball or soft toy can be used during supervised play.

Choose according to your dog’s play style.

An activity voucher

This could be a handwritten promise for:

• a favourite sniff walk
• a quiet woodland walk
• a scent game
• a one-to-one play session
• a visit to a familiar place

The experience may matter more to your dog than the packaging.

Stocking ideas for puppies

A puppy’s stocking should not contain a selection of unfamiliar chews and foods.

Good ideas may include:

• part of their normal food
• an appropriately sized puppy food toy
• a soft training toy
• a safe supervised tug toy
• a washable blanket
• a simple scent game

Puppies explore with their mouths and may swallow:

• stuffing
• fabric
• squeakers
• plastic
• ribbon
• toy fragments

Supervise carefully.

Read Bringing a Puppy Home for wider puppy preparation.

Stocking ideas for senior dogs

A senior dog may prefer:

• soft treats they can chew comfortably
• a gentle food activity
• a comfortable blanket
• a quiet sniff walk
• easy scent games
• time resting beside you

Avoid assuming that an older dog wants a hard chew because they enjoyed one when younger.

Dental disease, arthritis, reduced vision and changes in digestion may alter what remains suitable.

Nervous and rescue dogs

A nervous dog may find Christmas morning overwhelming.

Do not encourage visitors to surround the dog while they open a stocking.

Provide:

• a quiet room
• familiar bedding
• normal meals
• ordinary walks
• access to a safe resting place
• one item at a time
• space from visiting children and pets

A dog does not need to interact with every visitor or participate in every family activity.

My Rescue Dog Support in Finchley focuses on calm routines, choice and low-pressure care.

Multi-dog households

Do not place several food-filled stockings together and expect the dogs to share.

Christmas excitement can increase competition around:

• food
• chews
• new toys
• wrapping
• people

Give items separately where necessary.

Remove high-value chews when:

• dogs become tense
• one dog tries to steal
• guarding begins
• play becomes too rough
• supervision is difficult

Do not punish growling.

A growl is information that the dog is uncomfortable.

Create distance and manage the resources more carefully.

When a new toy causes frustration

A puzzle or food toy should begin at an achievable level.

Signs that the activity is too difficult may include:

• frantic pawing
• barking
• biting the toy forcefully
• repeatedly throwing it
• leaving and returning in agitation
• guarding it
• chewing parts not intended for chewing

Make the activity easier or remove it calmly.

Read Dog Enrichment Safety for more guidance.

What to do when a dog swallows part of a toy

Contact your veterinary practice immediately when your dog swallows or may have swallowed:

• a squeaker
• stuffing
• rope
• rubber
• plastic
• fabric
• a ball
• a chew fragment
• packaging
• a battery

Do not wait for vomiting or pain.

Foreign objects can cause a serious blockage and may require imaging or emergency surgery. PDSA advises contacting a vet immediately whenever a dog has swallowed something they should not have.

Do not:

• make your dog vomit
• give a large meal
• feed bread or cotton wool
• pull trailing string from the mouth or bottom
• give oil
• wait for the item to pass without advice

Follow the veterinary team’s instructions.

Signs of a possible blockage

Possible signs include:

• vomiting
• repeated retching
• reduced appetite
• abdominal pain
• unusual quietness
• restlessness
• difficulty passing faeces
• diarrhoea
• a swollen abdomen
• collapse

A dog may initially appear normal after swallowing an item.

Contact your vet based on the known or suspected ingestion rather than waiting for symptoms.

What to do if your dog is choking

Choking is an emergency.

Possible signs include:

• struggling to breathe
• choking sounds
• pawing at the mouth
• panic
• blue or grey gums
• collapse

Contact your vet immediately.

Only attempt to remove an object when it is clearly visible, easily accessible and safe to remove. Do not push your fingers blindly into a conscious dog’s mouth.

A frightened choking dog may bite.

PDSA advises distinguishing coughing from complete choking and obtaining immediate veterinary help.

Read my Dog First Aid Guide before an emergency occurs.

Frequently asked questions

Are shop-bought dog Christmas stockings dangerous?

Not automatically.

Safety depends on the individual toys, treats, and chews inside.

Open the stocking yourself and check every item before giving anything to your dog.

Should I avoid every cheap dog toy?

Price alone does not prove safety or quality.

Check the size, construction, labelling and how the toy behaves when your dog uses it.

Remove it as soon as it begins to break.

Is rawhide safe for dogs?

I do not recommend it.

Rawhide can create choking and blockage risks, particularly when dogs swallow softened pieces. PDSA also recommends avoiding it.

Does all rawhide contain arsenic or formaldehyde?

That blanket claim is not supported and should not be repeated.

The clearer evidence-based concern is that rawhide may be swallowed, create choking risks or cause an obstruction.

How do I know whether a chew is too hard?

Try pressing your fingernail into it.

PDSA advises that chews too hard to indent may risk damaging teeth or gums. (pdsa.org.uk)

Can I leave my dog alone with a new Christmas toy?

Not until you understand how your dog uses it.

Supervise new toys and remove anything that begins to split, fray or lose pieces.

Some toys should always remain supervised.

Are squeaky toys safe?

They can be suitable for dogs who play gently.

Remove the toy when the squeaker or stuffing becomes accessible.

Can I give my dog all the stocking treats on Christmas Day?

No.

Spread them over several days or weeks and include them in your dog’s daily food allowance.

Can my dog open their own stocking?

It is safer to open it yourself.

Fabric, plastic, ribbon, tags and packaging can be chewed or swallowed.

What should I put in a homemade dog stocking?

A suitable stocking may contain one correctly sized toy, a small quantity of familiar treats and an activity your dog enjoys.

It does not need to contain many items.

Is a KONG suitable for every dog?

No single toy suits every dog.

Choose the appropriate size and rubber strength, supervise its introduction and replace it when damaged.

Are LickiMats chew toys?

No.

They are designed for licking food from the textured surface. Remove the mat when your dog begins chewing it.

Are Christmas dog biscuits safe?

Check the complete ingredients and portion guidance.

A decorative dog biscuit may still be too large, too hard or unsuitable for a dog with a medical condition.

What if my dog swallows a piece of toy?

Contact your veterinary practice immediately.

Do not wait for symptoms or attempt to make the dog vomit.

Does my dog need a Christmas present?

No.

Your dog is more likely to value routine, appropriate activity, rest and time with familiar people than the number of presents they receive.

A safe stocking is chosen for the individual dog

A pre-filled Christmas stocking is not automatically good or bad.

Open it.

Read the labels.

Check the size.

Test the hardness.

Remove the packaging.

Think about your dog’s health, chewing style and behaviour.

Discard anything unsuitable.

One carefully chosen toy and a few familiar treats are more useful than a stocking filled with products your dog cannot use safely.

For products I regularly use or recommend, visit Dog Products, Equipment and Local Services I Recommend.

For wider festive safety advice, read 12 Christmas Hazards That Could Ruin Your Dog’s Christmas.

Related Finchley Dog Walker guides

• 12 Christmas Hazards That Could Ruin Your Dog’s Christmas
• Safe Homemade Christmas Dog Treats
• The Dangers of Christmas Presents and Your Dog
• Maintaining Your Dog’s Routine at Christmas
• Dog Enrichment Safety
• Dog Products I Recommend
• Dog Food and Nutrition Hub
• Dog Treats: How to Choose Healthier Options
• Dog First Aid Guide
• Rescue Dog Support in Finchley

Veterinary disclaimer

This article provides general information about choosing dog toys, treats and chews.

It cannot determine whether a particular product is suitable for your dog, diagnose choking or a blockage, or replace advice and treatment from a veterinary surgeon.

Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, diagnosis and veterinary treatment are matters for an appropriately qualified veterinary surgeon.

Contact your veterinary practice immediately when your dog is choking, struggling to breathe, has swallowed part of a toy or chew, has eaten a battery or develops another concerning change.