38 4th of July Foods Your Dog Can (and Can’t) Eat
This post shows you the incredibly detailed list of 38 4th of July Foods for Dogs: Safe, Limited & Toxic!
Somehow, every time we celebrate, there’s so much food… and our dogs always want to try everything! I’ll be honest, I often worry too much about my dog—noise makes him anxious, then there are lots of people, then fireworks, and on top of everything, he likes to eat a lot when he’s stressed!
That’s why I tend to be extra careful when it comes to sharing holiday food! So, in this post, I’m gonna break down all the 4th of July foods your dog can and can’t eat!
Safe 4th of July Foods for Dogs
While all the foods I’m gonna list below are safe for dogs, don’t overdo it. They should enjoy the holiday food with you, but not overeat!
For dogs, the best BBQ options usually include lean meats, but if you’re giving them something extra juicy, you shouldn’t feel guilty! It’s a special day anyway! Just make sure that their next meal is something super dog-friendly, like their kibbles.
In case they overeat, you can always give them something to soothe their stomach.
Not sure which foods to give? Here’s my detailed guide on the best foods for sensitive stomachs!
Grilled Meats & Proteins as the Safest 4th of July Foods for Dogs
1 Plain Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken is absolutely safe for dogs. It’s a low-fat, lean protein that is amazing for energy and muscle health!
Make sure you don’t add too many seasonings, especially ingredients that can upset your dog’s stomach, like garlic powder and lots of salt.
Also, if your dog happens to eat something with garlic powder, don’t worry. Even though garlic is technically toxic for dogs, a tiny amount on a piece of chicken won’t hurt them. No need to panic!
2 Hamburgers
Everyone’s favorite—burgers are safe for dogs! They are a good protein source with essential amino acids that support muscle health and growth.
All burgers are okay—chicken, turkey, or beef! Beef burgers are everyone’s favorite, and I’m sure your dog feels the same!
3 Grilled Fish
If you’re making some grilled fish, you’ll be happy to know that your dog can have some, too! Fish is extremely healthy for dogs—it’s a great source of protein, packed with omega-3 fatty acids, and great for skin and coat health!
Just make sure there are no bones to avoid any hazards and don’t add too much salt or seasoning.
4 BBQ Turkey
BBQ turkey is safe for dogs! Just like chicken, it’s a lean protein that your dog can enjoy.
Make sure you don’t use too much salt, and if they happen to eat some heavily seasoned turkey, give them plenty of water and something plain to eat the next day.
5 Steak
Ahh, who doesn’t love a good, seasoned steak? We all do—but here, you need to be a bit careful! Steaks can be high in fat, which can be too rich for your dog. But if you have a lean cut, you can share it with your dog totally guilt-free!
Fruits and Veggies as the Safest 4th of July Foods for Dogs
6 Watermelon
Refreshing, hydrating, and safe for dogs, watermelon is one of the perfect 4th of July foods for pups! Just make sure to remove the seeds if you have a small dog (or a big dog with a sensitive tummy!).
7 Blueberries
Healthy, low in sugar, and full of nourishing antioxidants, blueberries are absolutely safe for dogs.
8 Strawberries
Enjoy them fresh, and share some with your dog!
9 Apples
Apples are safe for dogs, but you need to remove the core since it’s a potential choking hazard! Remove the seeds as well, and let your dog enjoy the crispy crunch of fresh summer apples!
10 Carrots
Carrots are absolutely safe for dogs, and they make one of the most satisfying chews! They also help clean your dog’s teeth and are great for their gums—not to mention they’re full of vitamins.
11 Cucumbers
A perfect, hydrating, refreshing summer veggie, cucumbers are super safe for dogs!
4th of July Foods for Dogs That You Should Limit! (Not Toxic, But Not the Best Option Either!!)
Some BBQ Meats Are Not the Best Options for Dogs
12 Pulled Pork
While pulled pork is absolutely divine, it’s heavily seasoned, drenched in fat, and covered in juicy sauces—making it really not an ideal option for dogs!
Of course, it’s not toxic, so if they have some, they’ll be fine, but you should know that lots of BBQ sauce can also cause dehydration since it’s so rich in sodium!
13 Chicken Wings
First, there are cooked bones, which can splinter and cause serious internal injuries!
Then, there are the sauces that can really upset your dog’s stomach. If you want to share, stick to plain grilled chicken wings and only give them the meat without the bone!
4th of July Foods That You Should Avoid or at Least Limit for Dogs
Side Dishes and Snacks
Some side dishes and snacks that we typically love for our summer BBQ are not ideal for dogs. While most of these foods aren’t toxic, they really aren’t the best options for dogs!
14 Corn on the Cob
Corn is safe for dogs and considered a healthy fiber source, but corn on the cob can be dangerous!
Don’t let your dog, whether big or small, have too much corn on the cob, as they can choke! Corn cobs can get stuck in their intestines and cause a serious blockage. Please be careful.
15 Potato Salad
While summer potato salads should be off-limits for dogs since they are rich and creamy, it’s good to know that dogs can eat plain baked potatoes! They are high in carbs but still full of good nutrients.
Your dog may be disappointed, but they really can’t indulge in potato salad—butter, sour cream, and cheese are way too rich for them.
16 French Fries
I know that some dogs really can’t resist french fries, but they’re not good for them.
The main problem is that they’re way too salty, but if your dog eats some, just make sure they drink plenty of water afterward.
17 Pasta Salads
Nothing says summer like pasta salads! They’re so easy to make, and to me, they really mark the beginning of the season!
I’ve had my dogs sneak bites of our pasta salads, but they were never a good idea. There’s always some onion, lots of seasonings, cream, or cheese—it’s best to skip sharing pasta salads altogether.
The amount of red or green onions in these salads isn’t enough to harm your dog, so don’t worry if they steal a bite. But you still shouldn’t give them any since onions are toxic to dogs.
18 Egg Salads
Whether you’re making potato and egg salad or a simple egg salad with mayo and mustard, you shouldn’t share it with your dog.
Eggs are great for dogs, but too much fat isn’t.
Some Desserts Can Be Okay for Dogs
Now, desserts are usually off-limits, but it really depends on what you’re serving. I like to make homemade popsicles with fruit and fruit juice because they’re a great option without processed sugar—and they’re absolutely fine for dogs!
But of course, you shouldn’t share traditional desserts with dogs!
19 Ice Cream
If you’re serving regular ice cream (with cream and sugar), and your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, it’s not the end of the world if they steal some.
But beware of sugar-free versions with xylitol—xylitol is extremely dangerous to dogs.
20 (Homemade) Popsicles
If you’re making fruit or yogurt-based homemade popsicles, these are absolutely safe for dogs!
They make such a fun treat and are probably one of the best 4th of July foods for dogs.
But if you have classic store-bought popsicles, don’t give your dog more than a lick—they’re full of sugar and really not healthy at all.
21 4th of July Pies
Mmm, who doesn’t love a warm, homemade 4th of July blueberry pie with some vanilla ice cream?!
I’m sure your dog would love some, but don’t give them any—sugar is not good for them.
If you really want to spoil them, give them a tiny bit of crust, but please skip the ice cream.
Toxic and Dangerous 4th of July Foods for Dogs
Some foods are absolutely off-limits for dogs! These usually include foods with artificial sweeteners, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and chocolate—all of which are toxic to dogs!
Some other foods listed here aren’t technically toxic (which is great), but they are dangerous for dogs.
If your dog is on a special diet, has a kidney condition, or if you have puppies or senior dogs, you should be extra careful around these foods, as they aren’t healthy in the long run.
Toxic 4th of July Foods for Dogs
You should never give your dog the following foods, as they are toxic, can cause serious health issues, and have long-term negative effects on their health.
If your dog eats a large amount of any of these foods, please call your vet or Pet Poison Control immediately.
- Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661, http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
22 Grapes and Raisins
Don’t give your dog any grapes or desserts that contain raisins, including Panettone, cakes, or cookies with raisins.
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs, and while it’s not 100% clear what amount causes harm, we know that they can cause kidney damage.
23 Chocolate Desserts
Don’t give your dog any chocolate or chocolate desserts! Even though the most toxic type of chocolate is dark chocolate (which has the highest concentration of theobromine, a toxic substance for dogs), any type of chocolate is bad for them.
24 Low-Carb and Zero-Carb Desserts
If you have friends or family following a low-carb or zero-carb diet, be extra careful, as these products may contain xylitol—a sweetener that’s extremely toxic to dogs.
It’s mostly found in frozen yogurts, fruit-flavored yogurts, desserts, and baked goods.
25 Beer, Alcohol, and Cocktails
Alcohol is extremely toxic to dogs and should always be off-limits! Don’t even let them lick your beer or cocktail—just don’t!
26 Diet Soda or Coke Zero
While most diet sodas contain aspartame (an unhealthy sweetener), some brands use other types of artificial sweeteners. Make sure your dog doesn’t drink any.
Dangerous 4th of July Foods for Dogs (But Not Immediately Toxic)
Some of these foods aren’t toxic, but they can be really dangerous.
It all depends on the size of your dog—a small chihuahua won’t be able to handle extra sodium, while a large labrador may be fine.
Still, I want you to remember these foods and why they are considered dangerous to dogs.
27 Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are high in sodium and nitrates and aren’t good for dogs. Processed meats, in general, aren’t great for them, as their bodies struggle to digest them properly.
Even though your dog may adore hot dogs, they can put a strain on their kidneys, liver, heart, and stomach.
28 Ribs
While ribs are tasty, soft, and delicious, it’s only safe to share the plain meat!
Never give your dog rib bones—they can splinter and cause serious internal injuries!
And don’t give them ribs covered in sauce. If that’s how you make them for this holiday, it’s best not to share—no matter how disappointed your dog may be.
29 Brisket
Everyone’s favorite slow-cooked traditional 4th of July brisket is not good for dogs.
And it’s not just about salt or pineapples—it’s because of the sauces and dressings, including Worcestershire sauce, hot adobo sauce, lots of fat, and, in general, because it’s way too heavy.
If your dog happens to steal a bite, don’t worry, but don’t give them any yourself.
Somehow, I always expect them to steal something… which, honestly, almost always happens.
30 Jalapeño Dips
Jalapeño dips are a hard no for dogs. The spice alone can cause serious stomach issues, which—depending on the size of your dog—can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort.
On top of jalapeños, these dips are loaded with cheese, sour cream, and mayo, all of which are way too rich for your dog.
Don’t even let them lick the dip from your plate—this one’s off-limits!
31 Blue Cheese Dips
Blue cheese is already bad for dogs, but blue cheese dip? Even worse.
The mold cultures in blue cheese contain toxins that can be dangerous to dogs.
Plus, these dips are also salty and fatty, which is the worst combination for stomach trouble.
32 Coleslaw
Even though it’s crunchy and refreshing, coleslaw still contains mayonnaise, vinegar, and lots of seasonings that can upset your dog’s stomach.
The issue isn’t the cabbage (which is fine in small amounts) or the carrots—it’s everything else.
33 Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese might be the ultimate comfort food, but it’s way too rich for dogs.
The heavy cheese, butter, and milk can lead to digestive issues, bloating, and even pancreatitis in some dogs.
If your dog snags a small bite, it’s not the end of the world. But a bowl full of mac and cheese? Definitely not a good idea.
34 Baked Beans
Baked beans might be a classic cookout side, but they’re definitely not for dogs.
The problem isn’t the beans themselves—it’s the sugar, molasses, garlic, onion, and spices that can upset your dog’s stomach or even be toxic.
If your dog gets a little taste, they’ll probably be fine, but it’s not something you should share.
35 Pickles
Pickles are full of salt, vinegar, and spices, making them a bad choice for dogs.
Plus, let’s be honest—most dogs don’t even like the sour taste!
36 Ketchup and Mustard
These condiments aren’t toxic, but they are loaded with salt and sugar, making them bad for dogs.
A tiny lick won’t do much harm, but it’s best to keep these off your dog’s plate.
37 Mayonnaise
Mayo is basically eggs and oil blended into pure fat—and while not toxic, it’s way too greasy and heavy for dogs.
It can cause diarrhea and even pancreatitis if they eat too much.
No real reason to share this one!
38 BBQ Sauce
BBQ sauce is a no-go for dogs.
It’s loaded with sugar, salt, spices, and sometimes even garlic or onion powder, making it a risky choice.
Plus, some BBQ sauces contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.
Better to keep this one far away!
While we somehow always spoil our dogs for the holidays, it’s important to remember to keep them safe. Choose only the best 4th of July foods for dogs and treat them with a juicy burger!
Which of these 4th of July foods is your dog’s favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll always have these food tips handy!
Love, life, and fur forever!
This post showed you the 38 4th of July Foods for Dogs: Safe, Limited & Toxic!
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