Summer Food and Your Dog

A fragrant barbecue and colorful berries are part of the summer experience – but while you enjoy all the delicious seasonal food, your dog might feel left out. Here, we’ll tell you which summer foods your dog can safely enjoy – and which ones to avoid!

Summer Foods Dogs Should NOT Eat

• Corn on the cob

• Spare ribs / grilled meats with bones

• Yellow onions and other members of the onion family – garlic is toxic in large amounts

• Spicy or heavily seasoned foods

• Chocolate

Summer Foods Dogs CAN Eat

• Seedless, rind-free watermelon

• Lettuce

• Berries

• Most vegetables

• Most fruits (without seeds or pits)

• Boneless, unseasoned meats

As with all treats, too much of a good thing can be harmful. Use human food only as occasional snacks, and always feed your dog complete, balanced dog food to ensure proper nutrition.

Why Are Some Foods Unsafe for Dogs?

Why shouldn’t dogs eat corn on the cob?

Dogs shouldn’t eat corn on the cob because it poses a choking hazard. If swallowed, it can also cause dangerous intestinal blockages.

Why avoid spare ribs or grilled meat with bones?

Cooked bones are brittle and can splinter into sharp pieces, leading to internal injuries or intestinal blockages if ingested.

Why are onions, garlic, and similar vegetables harmful?

Garlic is toxic in large amounts, and even small amounts of yellow onion and related vegetables can be dangerous. Onion poisoning may lead to hemolytic anemia, which can cause lethargy, pale gums, jaundice, and even collapse.

Why avoid spicy or heavily seasoned food?

Spicy food often contains large amounts of salt and other ingredients that can disrupt your dog’s electrolyte balance. Salt poisoning can cause excessive thirst, weakness, muscle twitching, vomiting, gastroenteritis, unsteady movement, and seizures.

Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs?

Chocolate contains methylxanthines like theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to pets. Ingesting chocolate can cause vomiting, restlessness, elevated body temperature, rapid heart rate, and – in severe cases – seizures.

Always Contact a Veterinarian if You're Unsure

If your dog eats something it shouldn’t or shows any concerning symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately to have your pet checked. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!