Food safety · 2 min read

Can cats eat Christmas pudding?

No — dangerous

No. Christmas pudding contains currants, sultanas, raisins, and often alcohol — a triple-risk combination for cats.

If your cat has just eaten christmas pudding

  1. Move your cat away from any remaining Christmas pudding. Do not try to make them vomit at home — this is dangerous in cats and rarely works.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
  3. Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
  4. If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.

What's the full picture?

Traditional Christmas pudding is packed with dried vine fruit (currants, sultanas, raisins) and soaked in brandy or rum. All three dried fruits are potentially kidney-toxic to cats, and the alcohol is a separate and dangerous exposure.

Christmas pudding is a classic Christmas Day emergency — cats licking plates, stealing bits of cold pudding from the worktop, or finding leftovers in the bin.

Symptoms to watch for

0–12 hours
Vomiting, diarrhoea, disorientation or wobbliness from alcohol.
12–72 hours
Lethargy, changes in urine output indicating kidney injury.

Safer alternatives

  • A tiny piece of plain cooked turkey breast

Questions owners ask

Would alcohol-free Christmas pudding be safe?

No — it still contains dried vine fruit (currants, sultanas, raisins), which are the main concern.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, the Animal PoisonLine (UK) is on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) directly.

Alcohol no Christmas cake no Currants no Grapes no Mince pies no Raisins no Sultanas no

About this guidance

Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.

This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.

Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.

Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team

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