Can dogs eat BBQ?

Updated 29/09/2023

With the weather heating up and summer (finally) on its merry way, all across the country pet parents are firing up the BBQs, ready for those warm summer evenings, al fresco. 

Needless to say, the smells, sights, and sizzles of BBQ food are sure to get the attention of our canine companions! But can our dogs join in on the fun - can dogs eat BBQ, or is it best avoided by our pooch pals? Let’s find out…

Can dogs eat BBQ food?

Well, it depends. While most meats cooked on a BBQ - such as chicken, turkey, or fish - are generally safe for dogs in moderation, it does come with quite a few caveats. 

Firstly, the meat needs to be fully cooked all the way through, deboned, and served completely plain - that means no sauce, no salt, and no seasonings, as these may contain ingredients, such as onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs. Pet parents should also ensure the food has had a chance to fully cool down to a safe temperature. 

It’s important to remember that while these BBQ meats may be non-toxic to your pet, they still have the potential to upset your dog’s stomach. That’s because any change in your dog’s diet has the potential to cause tummy upset, which can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Plus, BBQ meats also often contain high levels of fat - if your pet eats fatty meats (or other fatty foods such as cheese), they are very prone to developing a very painful condition called pancreatitis. This can lead to discomfort, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If your dog has any of these symptoms, contact your veterinary clinic for advice. 

While plain, cooked meat in small quantities is generally fine for four-legged friends, of course, there are various other foods present at the BBQ dinner table that could indeed cause your pooch harm and should be kept well out of paw's reach. Let’s take a look at some common BBQ foods that are safe for dogs - and those that aren’t…

What BBQ foods are safe for dogs?

While BBQ food definitely shouldn’t be a regular addition to your pup’s diet, here are some foods that are generally safe for our four-legged friends:

• Fully cooked, plain, and deboned fish and meat (such as chicken or turkey) 
• Some vegetables (such as sweet potato or zucchini/courgette) - without dressing, seasoning, or oils
• Some fruits, such as watermelon (remove the rind and seeds, and cut into bitesize pieces) or blueberries (in moderation)

As mentioned previously, any of these foods still have the potential risk of causing stomach upset in your pet. Dogs with previously existing medical conditions (such as pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease) will be especially prone to getting sick from eating any additional foods that are not their own pet food. It’s recommended to discuss with your veterinarian before adding any extra foods to your pet’s diet.

What BBQ foods are NOT safe for dogs?

Be sure to keep these popular BBQ foods firmly off Fido’s plate: 

Marinated, seasoned, or greasy foods (or anything coated in oils or sauces): the high-fat content of these foods could lead to tummy upset, vomiting, and diarrhea, and in more severe cases, could contribute towards pancreatitis. As well as simply being unhealthy, these foods are also likely to contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as onion or garlic.

Corn on the cob: these could cause an obstruction in your dog's digestive tract, and could lead to intestinal rupture. This condition can be extremely serious and life-threatening - contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog may have eaten a corn on the cob.

Garlic and onions: not only are these commonplace on a veg skewer or in a burger, but they could also be lurking in your sauces, breads, and salads. Both are highly toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs.

Grapes and raisins: again, both are highly toxic to dogs and could result in serious illness and even lead to fatal kidney failure.

Avocado: avocado contains a toxic compound known as persin, which can cause stomach distress in dogs and more serious symptoms in other animals particularly sensitive to persin.

Chocolate: time for dessert? Keep the chocolates well away from Fido! Even just a small amount of chocolate can make your dog very sick, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and in the worst-case scenario, death. 

Alcohol: again, it’s a big no-no. Just a small sip of alcohol could lead to vomiting and diarrhea, a lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, and could cause your pet to lose consciousness.

Wooden kebab skewers: if chewed or eaten, these could easily splinter and cause your dog an injury. They could also penetrate your pooch's internal digestive tract, which could be life-threatening.

And once dinner’s done and dusted and the sun has set, remember this: never feed your dog bones! Bones, both cooked and raw, pose a serious choking risk. There's also a chance the bone may splinter and become lodged in your pet's throat or digestive tract, which could be life-threatening. 

It’s worth remembering that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and there are plenty more ‘human’ foods out there that our pooch pals should avoid. If in doubt, go without, and if you do suspect your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, never hesitate to contact your vet for advice. Seeking prompt veterinary attention for your pet will give them the best chance at making a recovery if they have eaten something they shouldn’t.

BBQ safety tips

Enjoy the summer stress-free with these additional BBQ safety tips for dogs:

• Avoid any foods that are toxic to dogs, and foods that contain sauces, seasonings, oils, or foods that are high in fat
• Watch out for sneaky pooches stealing scraps, and keep an eye on any kids who may be tempted to share their dinner with the dog
• Distract your dog with a pooch-friendly treat, toy, or slow feeder
• Use lids and covers on food when not in use, and keep the trashcan covered 
• Keep dogs well away from the BBQ area to avoid potential burns 
• Discard all bones (and corn cobs) immediately, and keep them well away from your pooch. It’s recommended to empty the household trash can immediately after placing these items in the bin, and bringing it outside to the main trash area where your pooch cannot access them. There have been many incidents of dogs stealing things they shouldn't from the trash, and ending up needing emergency surgery to remove them from their stomach!

Meet our veterinary expert, Evie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Evie Moloney RCVS. Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care 
for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming.