8 Dog-Safe Summer BBQ Foods to Share With Your Pup At The Next Cookout

It can be hard to resist when your dog turns on their puppy dog eyes every time you fire up the grill. And while some summer cookout foods aren’t the healthiest for our pets, there are plenty of foods you can share with your dog. Just make sure you’re feeding all foods in moderation, and talk to your vet if your dog has any health issues or dietary concerns.

Here are eight dog-safe bbq foods your pooch can enjoy.

01of 08

Watermelon

Nothing says summer like a juicy red slice of watermelon. Not only is this dog-safe food delicious, but watermelon is also incredibly hydrating, thanks to being around 92% water. Just make sure to remove any rinds or seeds before giving this fruit to your pup.

02of 08

Bell Peppers

A woman slicing an orange bell pepper for her expectant dog — Robert Daly / Getty Images

If you’re making kabobs to throw on the grill (yum, can I come over?), feel free to set aside a few bell pepper chunks for your dog. All colors of these deliciously crunchy veggies are safe for dogs to eat and are an excellent source of fiber, which is great at combating weight gain, and vitamin A, which helps support eye health.

03of 08

Cheese

Not all cheeses are dog-friendly, but two of the most common cheeseburger cheeses are: cheddar and swiss. Just remember that cheese is high in fat, so it’s best to give your pup small amounts of cheese versus multiple slices. But you always have to pay the cheese tax!

04of 08

Hot Dogs

Black and cream spaniel holds hot dog in mouth — fotyma / Getty

Fewer things in life are better than hot dogs straight off the grill. Many hot dog varieties are generally safe for dogs so long as they don’t have a food allergy to one of the ingredients. Hot dogs are best served in moderation, cut in little pieces to prevent choking, and should always be cooked. It’s not like raw hot dogs are very appealing anyway.

05of 08

Green Beans

dog with green bean background — Science Photo Library / Robbie Goodall / Getty / Yeji Kim

One of the most iconic side dishes of all time are green beans, and luckily, your dog doesn’t have to miss out. Not unlike bell peppers, green beans are low-calorie and high in fiber—they even have a dash of protein. Dogs can enjoy fresh, canned, and cooked green beans so long as they don’t have any added salt, seasonings, butter, or oil.

06of 08

Corn

In moderation, corn is a great treat for dogs. Plus, its natural sugars give corn a sweeter taste than many other vegetables—wow, is that why they call it sweet corn? Just make sure to remove corn from its cob before giving it to your pet, as corncobs are difficult to digest and could cause an intestinal blockage.

07of 08

Pork

dog with a background of bacon — MirageC / GlobalP / Getty

Have an extra pork chop lying around? Unseasoned, lean, cooked pork can be a special once-in-a-while treat for your dog. While we don’t recommend handing over the whole pork chop, a few small pieces won’t hurt. As for bacon, if you can manage to trim the fat, a few bites will get your dog’s tail waggin’ faster than you can say “barbecue.”

08of 08

Popsicles

dog licking frozen treat on a stick — Tjasa Smrekar / EyeEm / Getty

We can’t forget about dessert! Several dog-safe frozen treat recipes out there are ultra yummy and will help your pup cool off during the extra hot dog days of summer. Just make sure to monitor your dog if you choose to feed them a popsicle on a stick—that part should stay out of the belly!