What Can My Pups Eat on Labor Day?

Barbecuing on Labor Day while your dog looks on, salivating and day-dreaming about potential table scraps, seems like cruel and unusual punishment. And since we are all suckers for those puppydog eyes, it's tempting to share our delicious treats with them. But can real dogs eat hot dogs? 

Sadly, the answer is no. According to Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, hot dogs which are usually processed with too much salt, preservatives and seasonings can be harmful to pets. However, we have you covered with several fun alternatives that'll let your dogs in on the mouth-watering action!

Let's take a look at what dogs can eat on Labor Day that'll make their tails wag!

While dogs should be on a regular diet that's formulated to give them all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, giving them some of what we are eating can be fun and beneficial for them once in a while. And at a summer picnic or barbecue, there's usually plenty that they can munch!

However, before we get to the foods your dog will be barking for, there are a few rules to always observe when sharing whole foods with your pup. These include:

• Always give dogs foods without any additives like oils, vinegars, salts or other seasonings. Remember that dogs don't have refined palates like we do, and don't mind if the chunk of steak or apple they get is plain- they'll gobble it up just the same! Plus, a lot of popular seasonings, such as onions and garlic, are actually toxic to our canine furiends.

• Don't give your dog bones, or meat with bones in it, as many can splinter and break in your dog's body, causing mouth, throat or digestive system injuries that may require an emergency visit. And the hospital is no place to spend the holiday!

• Be conscious of portion sizes whenever giving your dog whole foods. A dog's size, weight and health should always be taken into consideration. Food other than their normal daily meals should only constitute 10% of their daily caloric intake, along with treats. For small dogs, you'd be looking at teaspoons to tablespoons of foods, while bigger dogs can eat larger portions. 

Now that you know the rules, let's check out what foods your dog can eat, both from the grill and the sides table.

Getting the sad eyes from your best furiend while you fire up the BBQ? No worries! They can usually have whatever you are cooking, just without all the seasonings, sauces and extras! Use a bit of olive oil to keep meats or veggies from sticking to the grill and make them a plain version of most dishes.

Pawsome grilled choices for pups include:

• Steak without bones, extra salt, butter or sauces
• Chicken without bones, any seasonings or sauces
• Pork chops without bones or seasonings
• Salmon that has been cleared from miniscule bones
• Well-done hamburgers made from unseasoned ground beef, chicken or turkey 
• Kabobs with unseasoned meats and dog-safe veggies such as bell peppers, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower
• Grilled potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Grilled slices of peaches, pears and pineapple
• Corn kernels stripped off the cob after grilling

What foods should not be on the dog's menu?

• Sausages, hot dogs and bratwursts
• Stuffed burgers
• Ribs
• Onions, leeks and garlic
• Large, fatty bits of meat
• Raw or undercooked meats

Unfurtunately, many of the side dishes we so painstakingly prepare to go along with the delicious foods from the grill are full of unhealthy ingredients for pups! With spices, garlic, onions, scallions, chives and lots of sauces, mayo, vinegars and oils, the staples of baked beans, coleslaw, potato salads and green bean salads just aren't for our doggoes to eat. The same goes for salty chips, pretzels, popcorn and desserts filled with sugar and chocolate. But there are some choices your dog will wag their tail to get a taste of!

Got a fruit and veggie tray! Your dog can eat most of what's on there, as well some other fun sides. Beware of grapes, however, which are extremely toxic to dogs. 

Dog-safe side table foods include:

• Slices or chunks of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew without any seeds or rinds
• Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
• Sliced apples, peaches and pears without seeds 
• Plain carrots, celery, cucumbers, peas, broccoli, corn kernels, bell pepper slices, green beans and a small amount of ripe tomatoes
• Non-salted popcorn
• Dog-safe pupsicles and ice cream treats

And if you really want to get your dog in on the pasta salad action, make a dog-safe batch when making the human version with pasta, dog-safe veggies and just a touch of olive oil to combine. They'll eat it up faster than you can say, "Good dog."

Spending the holiday with your pup can take a fun occasion to a furbulous experience. Giving your dog some extra special "treats" allow them to get in on all the delicious action! Try some of these ideas for your next cookout to make your dog bark, "Who's a good human?"

Happy Labor Day!