Hanukkah With Pets: Menorah Safety, Holiday Foods and 8 Nights of Fun

Last updated: December 2025

Why is Hanukkah a risky time for pets?

Hanukkah 2025 began at sundown on Sunday, December 14, and ends at nightfall on Monday, December 22. That is eight nights in a row of open flames, fried food, chocolate coins, small toys, gifts and, in many homes, a steady stream of visitors. That gives a curious dog or cat more chances than usual to get burned, eat something toxic or slip out the door.

Candles are the hazard most people underestimate. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), US fire departments responded to an average of 7,610 home fires started by candles per year from 2014 to 2018, about 21 a day. December was the peak month. Three of every five of those fires started when something that could burn was too close to the flame, and in 16% the candle was unattended. A wagging tail or a cat leaping onto a sideboard is exactly the kind of “too close” that turns a candle into a fire.

Food is the second big risk. The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York flags the same four Hanukkah hazards most veterinarians mention: lit candles, chocolate gelt and its foil, fried latkes made with onion, and dreidels that look like pet toys.

How do you keep pets safe around a lit menorah?

The NFPA’s safety sheet for religious candles says candles should sit in a sturdy holder, should be kept out of the reach of children and pets, and when placed on or near tables must be watched by an adult. It also warns against putting lit candles in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire.

• Choose a heavy, stable menorah. A wide base is harder to tip. Set it on a clear, flat surface such as a metal tray, not a tablecloth a pet could pull.
• Give the flames space. The US Fire Administration recommends keeping candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns. That includes curtains, napkins and wrapping paper.
• Think like a cat. Cats jump onto counters and shelves without warning, and a fluffy tail can sweep across a flame before they notice. If your cat can reach the surface, the menorah needs to move or the cat needs to leave the room while it burns.
• Think like a dog. Large, happy dogs clear coffee tables with one swish. Keep the menorah above tail height and away from where your dog greets people.
• Never leave it burning alone. The AVMA advises never leaving a pet alone in an area with a lit candle. If you leave the room, blow out the candles or take your pet with you.
• Consider an electric menorah. The Animal Medical Center notes that LED candles are a safe alternative.

Can dogs eat latkes?

No. Latkes are a poor choice for dogs and cats for two reasons: the oil and the onion.

First, the fat. Latkes are fried. Dr. Lee Pickett, a companion animal veterinarian who writes the “Ask the Vet” column, put it plainly:

“Their high fat content can cause vomiting, diarrhea and painful pancreatitis in dogs, and the onions in latkes are toxic to dogs.”

Dr. Lee Pickett, VMD, companion animal veterinarian, Reading Eagle

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, and it is often triggered when a pet eats far more fat than usual. The Veterinary Medical Center of Central New York lists signs to watch for: vomiting, diarrhea, a hunched posture from belly pain, loss of appetite, weakness or collapse.

Second, the onion. Most latke recipes include grated onion, and many add garlic. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that onions and garlic damage red blood cells and can cause hemolytic anemia, and that garlic is 3 to 5 times more toxic than onion. Cats are the most sensitive. Signs have been reported in cats after less than a teaspoon of cooked onion, and in dogs after 15 to 30 grams of raw onion per kilogram of body weight.

A plain, unsalted, unseasoned bite of cooked potato is not the problem. The problem is everything that turns potato into a latke.

Which other Hanukkah foods are unsafe for pets?

The rest of the Hanukkah table carries its own risks, mostly fat, sugar, dough and a few ingredients that are toxic to dogs and cats.

Sufganiyot and other fried sweets

Sufganiyot are jelly doughnuts fried in oil and dusted with powdered sugar. Like latkes, they are high in fat, which raises the risk of stomach upset and pancreatitis. The bigger concern is what else might be inside. The AVMA warns that sweets and baked goods may contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener linked to liver failure and death in dogs. If anyone brings sugar-free treats, keep them well away from pets.

Brisket, roasts and bones

Brisket is usually boneless, but it comes with a thick fat cap, rich gravy and often onion and garlic in the braise. The Veterinary Medical Center of Central New York names brisket and latkes together as classic triggers for pancreatitis. If your holiday table also includes roast chicken, a rib roast or other bone-in meat, the bones are a separate danger. The FDA warns that bones can get stuck in a dog’s esophagus, stomach or windpipe, and that sharp pieces can cause severe internal injuries. Symptoms of a blockage may not appear for hours or days. Wrap bones, fat trimmings and the string used to tie roasts in a sealed bag and put them in a trash can your pet cannot open.

Challah and raw dough

Baked challah in a small piece is unlikely to harm most dogs, but it is not a good habit, and the dough is a real hazard. The ASPCA explains that raw yeast dough can keep rising in a pet’s stomach, causing painful bloating that can become a twisted stomach and a life-threatening emergency. The yeast also produces alcohol as it ferments, so a dog who eats rising dough can develop alcohol poisoning too. If you bake challah or sufganiyot from scratch, let the dough rise somewhere your dog cannot reach, such as a closed oven that is turned off or a high shelf behind a closed door.

Raisins and raisin challah

Some families make challah, kugel or baked goods with raisins. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage in dogs, and the AVMA lists raisins alongside onions among the people foods that are poisonous to pets. There is no known safe amount, so treat any raisin-studded dish as off limits.

Applesauce, sour cream and cheese

Plain, unsweetened applesauce in a small lick is generally fine for dogs, but sweetened versions add sugar, and some contain xylitol. Sour cream and cheese-filled dishes add fat and lactose. The ASPCA notes that pets do not have much of the enzyme that breaks down lactose, so dairy can cause diarrhea. For cats, our guide to foods cats can’t eat covers the full list.

The simplest rule for the week is the one most veterinarians repeat: keep your pet’s diet the same as any other day. Ask guests, especially children, not to share from their plates, clear dishes promptly, and put leftovers in the fridge rather than on the counter.

Is chocolate gelt dangerous for dogs and cats?

Yes. Gelt is a double hazard because it combines chocolate with a metal foil wrapper, and it is often scattered on low tables and in gift bags.

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs and cats cannot process well. Pet Poison Helpline explains that too much causes vomiting and diarrhea, a racing heart and high blood pressure, and neurological signs such as hyperactivity, tremors and seizures. How sick a pet gets depends on the amount, the type of chocolate and the pet’s size. The ASPCA notes that the darker the chocolate, the greater the risk, while white chocolate has the lowest levels. The foil adds a second problem: the Animal Medical Center warns that gelt wrappers can cause choking or a blockage in the gut.

Here is how the main Hanukkah foods compare.

Are dreidels, gelt foil and gift wrap choking hazards?

They can be. A dreidel is roughly the size and shape of a dog toy, it spins and rattles, and it is usually played with on the floor or a low table. Dr. Pickett warns that a puppy who snaps up a spinning dreidel may need surgery to remove it from the intestines, and the Animal Medical Center calls dreidels a serious choking hazard.

Gelt foil is just as tempting. It crinkles, smells like chocolate and ends up on the floor, alongside gift wrap, ribbon and string. The FDA notes that ribbons and string look like easy-to-catch prey to cats and dogs, and can cause serious damage to the stomach and intestines.

• Keep a lidded bin next to the gift spot and drop wrapping, ribbon and foil in as soon as each gift is opened.
• Play dreidel at the table, not on the floor, and count the dreidels back into a box afterward.
• Use something other than gelt, such as buttons or chips stored up high, for dreidel stakes if your dog is a food thief.
• Watch for batteries in new toys and electronics. The ASPCA warns that punctured batteries can burn a pet’s mouth and throat.
• Remember that wrapped presents hide food. The ASPCA points out that pets can smell wrapped candy, so keep gifts containing gelt or treats off the floor.

How do you keep pets from bolting when Hanukkah guests arrive?

Holiday parties mean the front door opens again and again, often while hands are full of coats and dishes. The AVMA advises watching pets closely as people enter and leave, giving them a quiet room or crate away from the commotion, and making sure every pet has an ID tag and a registered microchip with current contact details.

For many pets, the easiest plan is to settle them in a closed room with water, a bed and a long-lasting chew before the first guest rings the bell. If your pet does join the party, keep a leash on a dog during arrivals, or assign one family member to door duty. Cats who dash are covered in detail in our guide to keeping an indoor cat from escaping.

Guests bring a few other risks with them. The ASPCA suggests asking overnight visitors to keep their medications in a closed cabinet rather than in an open bag or suitcase.

Finally, check your pet’s tag before the first night. It should list a phone number that will be answered during the party, not a landline no one checks. Our checklist on what to put on a dog ID tag walks through every line.

What are good Hanukkah gifts for pets?

A pet gift each night, or one bigger gift on the first night, lets your pet join in without sharing anything from the table.

• A puzzle toy or treat-dispensing toy. This keeps a dog or cat busy during candle lighting and dinner. Our guide to the best dog puzzle toys has options for beginners and experts.
• A durable chew. Pick one sized for your dog’s jaw and chewing style, and supervise the first few sessions. The FDA warns that gobbled treats can get stuck in the windpipe or gut.
• Pet-safe treats in blue and white. Plenty of bakeries make dog cookies shaped like dreidels or Stars of David. Read labels and skip anything with chocolate, raisins or xylitol.
• A new collar or ID tag. It is one of the few gifts that keeps working long after the holiday.
• A portrait of your pet. A cartoon of your dog or cat on a card, wallpaper or sticker is a gift for the whole family, and the pet is the star.

Skip costumes with small parts and anything with bells, ribbons or strings that can be chewed off. If you dress your pet in a Hanukkah sweater, keep them supervised and away from the menorah.

What pet-friendly activity can you do on each of the 8 nights?

Here is a simple plan for Hanukkah 2025 that gives your pet something to look forward to each night, paired with the safety note that matters most that evening. Flame counts include the shamash, the helper candle.

How can you send Hanukkah greetings starring your pet?

If your dog or cat is part of the family, they belong in the holiday greetings too. The free Lohji app from Shiloh’s House turns one clear photo of your pet into a 3D animated-movie-style character, called a Base Lohji, and then puts that character into stickers, images, wallpapers, collector cards and videos you can share.

The easiest Hanukkah greeting is a sticker. The app’s seasonal sticker category includes a Hanukkah design, along with dozens of others for holidays across the year. Each sticker is a cut-out PNG with a transparent background, so it drops cleanly into a chat. To use one in iMessage, save it to Photos, open it, press and hold, and tap “Add Sticker.” Many stickers also let you choose colors, so you can lean into blue and white.

• Themed images and phone wallpapers. Pick from more than 200 scene themes, or tap Surprise Me, and set your pet as a lock-screen wallpaper for the season.
• 4K collector cards. Trading-card style “Petopia” hero cards make a fun Hanukkah gift to print or share with the kids.
• Short videos. Animate any image from your pet’s library into a 6- or 10-second clip.
• A free Slideshow or Mini Movie. The Slideshow shuffles your pet’s stickers, cards, images and videos with music generated in the app, then exports as a movie to share. Mini Movie stitches 2 to 10 videos into one file. Both are free.

New accounts get 10 welcome coins, coins never expire, and it is not a subscription. For more ideas, see our list of fun things to make in Lohji or how to turn your pet into an emoji. The same app also holds your pet’s Smart Tag profile, so you can update contacts before guests arrive. Get the Lohji app on the App Store or Google Play.

Frequently asked questions