by Cat Macias
Some of the best times we have with our doggy family members is when we include them in our family picnics. Of course, for 4th of July it is not a good idea at all to take your pooch out of the house. The fireworks will make it a terrible experience. Keep your pets at home but let them enjoy the fun of your indoor or well-secured backyard, family picnic.
After reading about Tuffy’s near-death choking mishap with the broccoli, we can all agree that, although many dogs enjoy snacking on broccoli, it can pose a choking hazard for them. Always mince or chop any larger or chunkier treats into smaller pieces.
For teaching good manners, it is also a great practice to have a holiday bowl for your doggy, that can allow treats and picnic foods to be given without teaching poor habits such as begging and trying to steal food from plates and tables.
For a wonderful picnic experience with your adopted doggy here are a list of snacks to try and those to avoid. Always feed these in moderation. Happy 4th of July picnicking!
Yummy:
- Watermelon with seeds removed
- Mini marshmallows
- Graham crackers
- Cinnamon
- Carrots
- Celery
- Green beans
- Apple, with seeds removed and sliced small
- Chicken and turkey, in moderation and with ALL bones removed
- Beef pieces, well cooked and all bones removed
- Cheese
- Eggs, but only fully cooked such as scrambled or boiled
- Fish, including Salmon, FULLY COOKED and ALL bones removed
- Shrimp, fully cooked and shells removed
- Ice cream
- Popcorn, unsalted and unbuttered
- Sweet Potato, Pumpkin and Squash (pumpkin calms the stomach so great to end the festivities with a bit of pureed/canned pumpkin)
- Peas
- Pineapple
- Peanut butter
- Strawberries and blueberries
- Bananas & Banana Chips, but in very tight moderation due to the sugar and potassium levels
NEVER feed these to any dog:
- Nuts of any kind
- Avocado
- Guacamole
- Nutmeg
- Grapes and raisons
- Yeast and yeast dough
- Potato chips
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Pork, even if cooked.
- Processed bologna slices
- Candy
- Coffee
- Cherry stems, leaves and pits
- Alcohol
- Garlic
- Gum
- Mushrooms
- Rhubarb
- Tea
- Xylitol
- Coconut
- Licorice
- Peach stems, apple seeds, and potato leaves
- Sugar
- Chocolate
- Butter, grease, salty foods, you get the idea