Barbeque season has officially begun. Learn what cookout foods are safe for your pup to eat and which to keep away. 

Can Dogs Eat Burgers? 

The all-time classic barbeque foods are hamburgers and hotdogs. Nothing beats that smoky flavor of a hamburger fresh off the grill. Top it with cheese, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and a sesame bun for the perfect poolside entree. But can dogs eat burgers? 

As long as they’re cooked, hamburger patties are usually safe for dogs to eat. Never feed raw burger patties to your dog. When dogs eat raw meat, they may encounter harmful bacteria like E. coli or salmonella. To avoid bacteria exposure, ensure the burger is fully cooked before feeding it to your pup. 

Can dogs eat burgers with seasoning? We recommend only feeding your pup unseasoned burger patties. Some seasonings like garlic, onions, and salt can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. Plus, dogs don’t need additional flavoring to enjoy a good meat patty. 

Can Dogs Eat Hotdogs? 

Since burgers are safe for pups, you might wonder “can dogs eat hotdogs?”. The same rule of thumb applies to hotdogs. As long as they are cooked, hotdogs are safe for your dog to eat. 

Most pre-packed hotdogs do not contain seasonings or ingredients that are harmful to your dogs. Can dogs eat hotdogs with extra ingredients? Boring, generic plain hotdogs are best for your dog’s stomach. Avoid feeding any hotdogs with added garlic, onions, or MSG to your pup. 

Skip the bun and toppings if you are planning on feeding your pup a hotdog. They’ll love the taste of a plain frank. You can even try cutting a hotdog up into small pieces to use as a high-value treat during training. 

Although hotdogs are safe for your pup to enjoy, there isn’t much nutritional value to this human food. Hotdogs should be an occasional treat for your dog rather than a regular snack. Instead, try feeding other human foods that are safe for dogs like cooked vegetables. 

Can Dogs Eat Pickles? 

Whether you love them or hate them, pickles are bound to be at a barbeque. But can dogs eat pickles? It’s best to know the answer before your dog picks a pickle up off the ground. 

While cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, pickles are not. Pickles are just cucumbers soaked in vinegar, salt, garlic, and additional seasonings that are no good for your pup. 

Can dogs eat pickles if they are dill-flavored? Unfortunately, dill pickles are usually soaked in a brine of salt, garlic, mustard seeds, and clove. All of these seasonings are toxic to dogs in small or large quantities. Mustard seeds, specifically, can cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines in dogs. 

Can dogs eat pickles that are sweet? We don’t recommend feeding sweet pickles to your pup, either. Sweet pickles have added sugar and flavorings that can be harmful to your dog. 

Safe BBQ Food for Dogs to Eat

Don’t fret if you’re bringing your dog along to a barbeque. There are plenty of human foods that are safe for them to eat. Just be vigilant and make sure a raw hamburger patty or dill pickle isn’t in their reach. 

Tomatoes

Ripe, raw tomatoes are a safe snacking option for your pup. Plus, a cold tomato slice can be nice and refreshing for dogs on a hot summer day. Tomatoes are rich in natural vitamins and minerals, so your pup is getting a superfood boost along with their snack. 

Apples

Packed with vitamins A and C, apples are another nutritious treat for your pup. Dogs love the crunchy texture of apples and the sweet taste is just an extra perk. To avoid choking, slice the apple into smaller pieces. 

Chicken

If chicken is on the BBQ menu, your dog can definitely have a taste. Chicken is high in protein, low in fat, and naturally rich in essential vitamins. Plus, dogs love the taste and texture of chicken meat. Just be sure you only feed your dog fully cooked chicken without any bones or seasoning. 

Watermelon

What’s summertime without watermelon? It’s a delicious, hydrating snack that’s perfect for hot summer days. Red and yellow watermelons are safe for dogs to eat. Just be sure to remove the rind and seeds before passing a piece to your pup. 

Cooked Vegetables

When cooked, most vegetables are perfectly safe for your dog to eat. Zucchini, carrots, and beets are just a few examples of veggies that are safe for dogs. Avoid feeding your pup raw Brussels sprouts and broccoli (unless you want your dog to be gassy). 

Berries

One of the best parts about summer is that berries are in season. That’s why you’ll often find bowls of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries at picnics and barbeques. Most berries are safe for your dog to eat and they really enjoy the sweet flavor! Dogs famously love snacking on blueberries and strawberries.