With the barbecues and picnics that the Fourth of July brings, it's important to know what we can and can't feed to our four-legged friends. Here are a few recipes and pup-friendly foods to feed to your pet this Independence day!
Pup-friendly foods for the Fourth of July
While it is safe for dogs to eat these foods every once in a while, keep in mind that moderation is very important. If you notice that your dog is getting an upset stomach or diarrhea, check with your local vet or nutritionist.
Fruits and vegetables
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Kiwis (cut into small pieces)
- Pineapple (especially frozen pieces)
- Apples (without the seeds)
- Blueberries
- Watermelon (without the seeds and rind)
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Sweet Potato
Meats
- Cooked chicken
- Cooked fish (without the bones)
Desserts and beverages
We, humans, love pie, ice cream and cake on the Fourth of July! Dogs, on the other hand, have no need for sugar in their diet. However, if you do decide to share a spoonful of any of these sugary sweets with your pup, it should be harmless.
- Sugar-free peanut butter (without xylitol)
- Sugar-free yogurt
- Smoothies
- Homemade fruit popsicles
- Homemade cookies (made with dog-friendly ingredients)
- Homemade cakes (made with dog-friendly ingredients)
Foods to avoid this Fourth of July
With Independence day comes food, food, and more food! If you happen to have any of these at your Fourth of July barbecue or picnic, make sure to keep them out of your dog's reach.
Fruits and vegetables
- Raisins and grapes (can be toxic and cause kidney failure)
- Fruits with large seeds (can swallow seeds and cause gastrointestinal obstruction)
- Cherries (in large quantities)
- Corn on the cob (can swallow large pieces and cause gastrointestinal obstruction)
- Avocados (can contain persin, a fungicidal toxin, which is known to cause diarrhea and vomiting)
Meats
- Raw salmon (can contain a poisonous parasite disease)
- Sausages (can contain a parasite infection)
- Hamburgers (fatty foods can cause diarrhea and vomiting)
- Ham (dangerously fatty and salty)
Desserts and beverages
- Chocolate (toxic to both dogs and cats)
- Marshmallows (contains xylitol and large amounts of sugar)
- Candy (can contain xylitol and large amounts of sugar)
- Alcohol (can cause alcohol poisoning)
- Coffee and tea (contains caffeine, a toxic chemical to dogs and cats)
Fourth of July themed recipes for your pooch
Watermelon and pineapple pupsicles
Ingredients
- 2 cups seedless watermelon or pineapple (chopped into small pieces)
- 15 tablespoons sugar-free yogurt
Preparation
- Puree or smash the watermelon (or pineapple) pieces.
- Spoon yogurt into small molds or an ice cube tray.
- Fill the molds with the pureed watermelon (or pineapple).
- Freeze the watermelon (or pineapple) and yogurt mix for four hours or until the pupsicle is solid.
Adapted from Baking Mischief
Hot doggy treats
This recipe was originally posted by Pet Central and the Youtube channel Chewy. Check them out for more pet recipes!
What are you planning on feeding your pup this Fourth of July?
Evan L