Hot Dog! It’s barbecue season. Your pets don’t have to be left out of the summertime fun! We have compiled a list of foods your dog can indulge on at the cookout and a few they should stay away from.

Safe Foods for Your Dog

Corn (But Not on the Cob)

Corn on the cob is a summertime staple at many cookouts. Corn is safe to give to your dog in small quantities, but make sure you take it off the cob. The cob can pose a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed. While humans may load their corn up with mayo, butter or salt, if you’re sharing it with your dog it is best to leave it plain. 

Seafood, Beef, Pork & Chicken

If anything is going to have your dog drooling during a cookout, it’s probably meat! Most meats - including hamburger, chicken, pork and seafood - are safe to share with your dog. However there are a couple precautions to take when giving your dog meat. If possible, give your dog unseasoned meat. Many seasonings and marinades can contain onion and garlic, which is unsafe for your pup. It is also important to make sure there are no bones in the meat that could cause health issues for your dog.

Fresh Veggies

The vegetable tray is a great place to head when you are looking to treat your dog at a cookout. Raw carrots, broccoli, cucumber and celery are all safe and healthy to give your dog. Many raw vegetables provide health benefits for your pooch. As long as you leave off any dip, veggies are a great choice!

Fresh Fruits

After you stop at the veggie tray keep on walking to the fruit tray! Many fresh fruits are healthy for your pooch! Blueberries, watermelon, bananas and apples all provide health benefits for your dog. They can also help keep your pup hydrated during those hot summer days. While you are feeding your dog fruits, make sure that the seeds are removed.

Foods to Stay Away From

Hotdogs

What cookout would be complete without hotdogs? Even though hotdogs are a summertime favorite, it is best that they are not shared with your pup. Not only can hot dogs be a choking hazard for your pooch, they are also filled with additives that might upset your dog's digestive system. Consider giving your dog a plain, unseasoned and well done hamburger instead.

Potato Salad

Creamy, cold and delicious - potato salad is a perfect side to enjoy on a nice summer day. However, potato salad can contain many ingredients that are unhealthy or unsafe for your dog. These ingredients may include mayonnaise, onions or garlic powder.

Desserts

You can’t have a cookout without dessert! However most deserts are high in fat and sugar, which are not good for your dog. Many desserts contain chocolate which is highly toxic for dogs. Your pooch doesn’t have to be left out of the fun - treat them to a Dogs Love Kale Pupsiclez! These low calorie treats include beneficial ingredients and can keep your dog cool!

Bones and Fat

While it might be tempting to toss your dog a bone or excess fat from the grill, it is not safe or healthy to do so. Bones pose a choking hazard for your dog and can cause intestinal blockages. Excess fat from meat is not healthy for your pet and we do not recommend sharing these pieces with your pet.