Once you’ve had your fill of turkey, the honey-glazed ham that just teases you with its glistening exterior, and all your extended family has returned home, what are you to do with all the leftovers?

It may be tempting to just make a plate for your dog or cat and let them eat and eat to their heart’s content. You may even think you are giving them the treat of a lifetime. But there are many “human food” items that are unhealthy, and even dangerous for your pet.

Pet diet no-nos for the holiday season:

1. Avoid items that you know will upset your pet’s stomach.
Not every pet’s gastrointestinal system is capable of taking on all foods and digesting or absorbing them properly. If you know your pet has had digestive sensitivities in the past, you should avoid new foods, especially in large portions, or combined with other new foods. Your holiday can be easily ruined by a carpet full of the resulting “reaction.”

2. Don’t overwhelm your pet with a bunch of new things all at once.
If your pet isn’t already used to eating a variety of foods, anything that digresses from its current diet may prove disastrous. Small, low-fat, non-spicy portions of food are the key.

3. Nothing with onions or alliums (i.e., garlic, leeks, scallions).
Though small, well-cooked portions of this plant group can be okay when pets are accustomed to them, larger quantities can lead to toxic anemia—especially in dogs. Also, be careful with turkey stuffing. Many stuffing recipes include onions.

4. No chocolate.
Everyone knows that chocolate causes abnormally high heart rhythms in dogs, among other problems. But not everyone is aware that the kind of chocolate we bake with over the holidays is especially toxic. While an M&M or two may not hurt, a dog that snatches a large chunk of baking chocolate from the counter may end up in the ER. Be careful to keep ingredients out of reach when baking.

5. No grapes or raisins.
These fruits have been found to cause kidney failure in dogs, and studies have shown that these products tend to cause problems when given in large quantities over a period of time, so there’s no need to risk it.

6. No xylitol.
Most people don’t cook with this sugar substitute, but diabetics often do. Anything with Xylitol in it is toxic and absolutely deadly to dogs. Do not keep it in your house (or if you must, keep it safe and secure away from your animal). Sugar-free cupcakes, gums, and mints may also contain this product, so be careful all year round.

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