Everyone loves partying, BBQs and dogs. It’s only natural that eventually these worlds will collide and you’ll be partying on a hot summer day with your furry, four-legged friend. We’re smack dab in the middle of prime BBQ-ing season, so we thought we’d put together a few tips to ensure that your dog is dog-gone* happy while hanging around the grill this summer.
*disclaimer: This is only the fur-st of numerous dog puns
Some summer BBQ food is perfectly alright for dogs to eat (sparingly, of course). If you want to reward your pooch with a bit of hot dog or hamburger, go for it. Just ditch the bun and don’t overdo it as these types of meat are full of sodium. Half a burger or hot dog = cool. Three hot dogs and a burger = not so much. Another sure hit -- grilled chunks of meat or veggies. And cold fruit is a nice treat for the dog to cool off with on a hot, sunny day. Your dog will appreciate the variation in their diet and it's always more fun to eat with a friend. After all, those who eat together, stay together.
DO...
- A bit of hot dog or hamburger
- Grilled veggies like zucchini, carrots, asparagus or sweet potato
- Frozen blueberries, apple or watermelon (seeds removed)
- Grilled meat or fish (duh)
DON'T...
- Alcohol
- Avocados
- Onions & Garlic
- Cherry Pits
- Candy & Chocolate - the artificial sweetener can be poisonous for dogs
- Coffee beans/grounds
- Grapes & Raisins - think fruit salad or carrot cake
- Chewing Gum - full of artificial sweetener so stop leaving this in the center console of your rig
- Bones -- especially BBQ ribs or chicken bones
That don’t list is pretty long, so here are a few simple recipes you can whip up to make sure your canine companion is having as much fun as you at your next summer BBQ.
HOT DOG HASH
This simple recipe is a breeze to put together and will keep your pup happy at your next BBQ.
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ a Bell Pepper
- ½ a Zucchini
- ½ a Sweet Potato
- Hot dog cut into 1 inch sections
Start by chopping up all the ingredients into bite-sized chunks. Next bust out a frying pan (we always keep a Bugaboo 10” Frypan around) and place it on the grill over low to medium heat. Add a bit of olive oil and toss in the meat and veggies. Stir occasionally and cook until veggies are softened, usually about 10-15 minutes.
The ingredients can be prepared up to a day in advance if kept refrigerated. Or these make a great activity to keep kids busy at your next BBQ.
DUTCH OVEN DOG CHOW
Instead of grabbing a bag of store-brand dog food, make something your dog will actually enjoy eating. It’s full of nutrients and cheaper than many store-bought options.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 lbs meat of your choice (we like ground turkey or lamb)
- 2 cups brown rice
- Dash of Olive Oil
- 6 cups shredded vegetables of your choice. We like:
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Sweet Potato
- Zucchini
- Peas
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
*never, ever use any onion or garlic in these recipes as they are poisonous to dogs
Cook the brown rice in 4 cups water and set aside. Place your dutch oven on your stove or over some coals and let it get good and hot. Add the olive oil and meat and cook until browned. Dump in the veggies and brown rice and stir until the veggies are heated through, usually about 6-8 minutes. Once fully cooked, remove from heat and let it cool down gradually. Once it’s cool, scoop 1-cup servings into plastic containers or bags and store in the freezer. To thaw, just place in the fridge overnight and pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds to serve. Your dog will thank you!
There you go. A little bit of prep can make for a very happy dog. And after all the times your dog has been there for you, it’s the leashed you could do.
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