On warm sunny days, there’s nothing quite like enjoying BBQ gatherings out in your yard, especially when joined by your canine companion, who’ll surely beg for a treat or two. But before tossing that mouthwatering piece of BBQ meat toward your furry pal, you ponder.“Can dogs have BBQ?”, “Is BBQ good for dogs?”, “Can dogs have BBQ sauce?” — These are just some of the questions that may come to mind.
So how can you ensure that your dog stays safe and healthy during BBQ gatherings?
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Can Dogs Eat BBQ
Well, in general, BBQ meats like chicken, turkey, or fish are safe for dogs in moderation, but there are several precautions to consider. For example — meat must be fully cooked, boneless, and served plain—no sauces, salt, or seasonings that could contain harmful ingredients like onion or garlic. In addition, food should be cooled down to a safe temperature before serving to prevent burns.
While BBQ meats may be non-toxic per se, they can cause digestive issues due to dietary changes or high-fat content, which may potentially cause pancreatitis. If symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy occur, contact your vet.
Safe Foods
- Small portions of plain, boneless, and cooked meats such as chicken, turkey, lean beef, pork cuts, hotdogs, and fish - without any salt, sauces, or seasonings.
- Dog-safe treats like plain and cooked sweet potatoes, watermelon (seedless and rind-free), or blueberries.
Unsafe Foods
- Avoid fatty meats, cooked bones, and skewered foods which pose choking hazards or gastrointestinal risks.
- Corn on the cob - dangerous due to risk of choking and blockage.
- Toxic foods such as: onions, garlic, chocolate, pitted fruits, or avocado.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to side with caution. But that doesn’t mean that your pup can’t have fun during BBQ gatherings. Playing with them and offering alternative treats such as Petcube Pops may do the trick. Baked with dog-safe and natural ingredients that come in 3 flavors - Duck, Rabbit, and Pumpkin that pack a punch, Petcube Pops will leave your dog entertained and satisfied while keeping them healthy.
Is BBQ Sauce Bad for Dogs
If you’ve been tempted to give your dog a taste of your saucy BBQ chicken or pork perhaps, you may have asked yourself — Can dogs have BBQ sauce?
The short answer is no. The fact is, BBQ sauce can be dangerous for your dog, so it’s not worth the risk. According to Dr. Laura Robinson, DVM, and associate veterinarian at Antonio Animal Hospital in Southern California, BBQ sauce often has ingredients that aren’t safe. While it may take a lot of BBQ sauce to make a dog sick, says Dr. Robinson, there are dogs that are more sensitive to it than others.
Ingredients in BBQ sauce that are unsafe for dogs:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Vinegar
- Peppers
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Hot sauce
- Sugar
- Artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol
Because of the possible risks that the above ingredients may cause, it’s best to avoid BBQ sauce entirely to keep your furry friend out of harm’s way.
FAQs
What to do if your dog eats BBQ sauce?
If your dog ate barbecue sauce, take note of the time and amount of BBQ sauce they consumed, and contact their vet immediately regarding the situation. Dogs can react differently to ingredients, so it’s important to pay attention to any possible reaction. Your vet will then guide you on the next steps—whether it’s home monitoring, a vet visit, or emergency care.
Avoid inducing vomiting and let your vet handle it safely. Keep calm in spite of symptoms that your dog may be exhibiting to help calm them down.
Ingesting dangerous foods can be a pet emergency. As such, it helps to be prepared in case it happens. Petcube’s Pet Emergency Fund is a good investment because it assures that our pet is given the proper care that they need in times of emergencies. At the same time, it allows us to focus on our pet’s treatment and recovery without worrying about the medical bills.
What would happen if my dog ate BBQ sauce?
Like what was mentioned earlier, BBQ sauce contains ingredients that can be dangerous for dogs. For instance, onion and garlic are toxic to dogs and can lead to anemia, with symptoms like pale gums, weakness, breathing difficulties, and increased heart rate, among others. Meanwhile, sugar, spicy, or acidic ingredients can upset their stomach, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
Also, if the BBQ sauce is sugar-free, it likely contains artificial sweeteners / Xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs even in small amounts, potentially causing hypoglycemia, liver damage, and even death. In this Reddit discussion where a dog owner was concerned about his/her dog who ate BBQ sauce, one commenter mentioned how dangerous it is if there’s Xylitol (artificial sweetener) in the BBQ sauce as it can be fatal.
Conclusion
Barbecues are always enjoyable, but neglecting safety hazards can cut your cookout short. In planning your next BBQ, consider what’s safe and what’s dangerous for your dog. BBQ sauce or ingredients like salt, sugar, onions, garlic, hot spices, and citrus, can be harmful to dogs. Meanwhile, plain, boneless, and grilled meat is generally safe for your dog to enjoy. Healthy and pet safe treats are good alternatives too.