Let’s Dig In:
If you’ve ever asked yourself “will BBQ sauce hurt my dog?”, the short answer is yes, BBQ sauce is bad for dogs. Although letting your pup have a tiny taste of BBQ sauce off your finger isn’t likely to make them sick, Dr. Robinson does not recommend any amount of BBQ sauce for dogs because many contain ingredients that aren’t safe for your furry friend.
Here are some of the ingredients that make BBQ sauce bad for dogs:
Onion and garlic are particularly troublesome for dogs because they’re considered toxic and can cause anemia. Symptoms of anemia include pale gums, lethargy, abnormal breathing, increased heart rate, weakness, jaundice and black stools. Sugar and acidic or spicy ingredients can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and lack of appetite.
Will BBQ Sauce Hurt My Dog
A tiny bit of BBQ sauce might not hurt your dog. It all depends on how large your dog is and how much BBQ sauce they eat.
All dogs should stay away from spicy foods. it can upset their stomach.
Dogs should also not eat high amounts of salt. Canines are very sensitive to sodium and it could lead to sodium poisoning if they eat too much. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy, incoordination, and excessive thirst or urination. In extreme cases, too much salt could also lead to liver failure.
BBQ food is also unhealthy for dogs. Too much fat could lead to weight gain and even heart disease.
Eating a lot of BBQ sauce could put your dog at risk for garlic poisoning, salt poisoning, or too much sugar.
What Do I Do If My Dog Ate BBQ Sauce?
While we know the answer to “can dogs eat BBQ sauce?” is a definite “no,” we also know that even the best-behaved dogs sometimes eat things that are bad for them.
Dr. Robinson says dogs usually need to eat a large amount of BBQ sauce to get sick, but some dogs are more sensitive than others, so any amount–even a few licks–should be considered dangerous.
If your dog experiences any of the above symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately. However, if you saw your dog ate BBQ sauce, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. While your dog may appear to be fine, it’s best to call your vet as a precaution. And do not try to induce vomiting yourself. Your vet will do this if needed.
Depending on the size and breed of your dog and the amount of BBQ sauce ingested, your vet may simply prescribe a bland diet and antacids while you monitor your pup at home. But if your dog ate a lot of BBQ sauce, it may require medical intervention.
Can Dogs Eat Barbecue Sauce?
It’s important to not let your dog eat any food that comes with barbecue (BBQ) sauce. This may include dishes like baby back ribs and grilled chicken. Barbecue sauce is not healthy for dogs for a number of reasons.
First, barbecue sauce is likely to contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as onion and garlic for example. It’s most likely not enough to be considered fatal but it can absolutely make your dog sick. The more BBQ sauce your dog eats, the higher the risk.
Aside from the toxic ingredients, barbecue sauce may also contain ingredients like sugar, vinegar, and mustard. A small amount is unlikely to cause any harm but anything larger may lead to digestive issues like diarrhea.