Can dogs eat hot dogs?

Updated 13/04/2024

While hot dogs may seem like the perfect snack for your furry friend - meaty, savory and easy to chomp through, are hot dogs really the best snack option for our canine companions? Can dogs eat hot dogs safely, or are frankfurters in fact a health hazard to our pup pals? Well unfortunately for your doe-eyed (and let's face it, salivating) doggo, dogs shouldn't be eating hot dogs. As a highly processed product, they're packed with salt and fat, not to mention often topped with ingredients that are nothing short of toxic to dogs (hot dog onions, we're looking at you). For more on why hot dogs are a bad snack choice for your furry companion, take a look below. 

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Are hot dogs poisonous to dogs?

So now we've settled the question - can dogs eat hot dogs - you might be wondering whether there is anything present in hot dogs that's actually toxic to our canine companions. Sadly, there's no straight answer to this (which is frankly a reason in itself to not consider hot dogs as dog treats). Why? Well with so many hot dog brands out there, there are heaps of varying recipes that contain different ingredients - some of which (like garlic and onions) are poisonous to dogs. Generally speaking though, most hot dogs are made with a pretty plain recipe, and don't contain anything toxic to dogs. So that's the hot dog itself out of the way - what about the toppings? Well those - we can guarantee - are pretty horrendous for canine consumption. If it's bacon, it's high in salt and fat. If it's ketchup, well that's packed with sugar and often garlic powder, which is toxic to dogs. And if it's chopped onions, it's plain poisonous to them. You get the idea.

Can dogs eat uncooked hot dogs?

While we wouldn't advise treating your pup to cooked hot dogs, we'd advise completely banning sharing even the smallest morsel of a raw hot dog with your furry friend. Uncooked, they're packed with bacteria and could result in food poisoning.

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Why are hot dogs bad for dogs?

So is it all bad, or are hot dogs good for dogs in any way, shape or form? Sadly for your pup who is clearly aching for a meaty morsel, hot dogs are junk food for dogs, and in some cases, could actually poison your poor pup.

Firstly, let's talk ingredients in the hot dog itself. They're packed with salt, which means they should be completely avoided if your pup suffers from liver or kidney problems. And even if your pooch is perfectly healthy, the amount of salt they can safely ingest in a day is limited, and snacking on hot dogs is likely to push their intake way over a safe amount. Then there's the fat content - hot dogs are pretty high in fat which is not only bad for pups with obesity, but it means they should never be a regular snack for your furry friend. Plus, as a processed meat, hot dogs are high in sodium nitrate which has been linked to cancer.  

Now let’s consider the toppings often on a hot dog. As tasty as they might seem to us humans, they should never be on the canine menu - take a look below to find out why. 

•  Onions. They contain a toxic compound called N-propyl disulfide which damages red blood cells and causes anemia in dogs.
• Chili peppers. These contain a molecule called capsaicin which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, not to mention a seriously unpleasant burning sensation in their mouths.
• Bacon. It's high in salt, fat and nitrates - all ingredients common in highly processed meats which are bad news for dogs. 
• Sauces. Both ketchup and mustard are potentially toxic to dogs and could seriously harm your pooch if ingested.

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What to do if your dog eats a hot dog 

So can dogs eat hot dogs under any circumstances, or is it always a panic if you come across your pup nabbing a hot dog from the kitchen countertop? Well so long as the hot dog was plain and doesn't contain any ingredients toxic to dogs, then you don't need to panic. Simply monitor your pup and contact your vet if they experience any nasty symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. If, however, the hot dog your pup took off the side was covered in ingredients known to be toxic to dogs, like onions and mustard, then you should call your vet as a matter of emergency.   

Feeding your dog hot dogs

As we’ve mentioned, hot dogs really aren’t a great choice for dogs due to the chances they’re either covered in or laced with ingredients toxic to them. If, however, you've got a seriously healthy pooch, then a small morsel of a plain hot dog that doesn't contain any toxic ingredients won't do any harm. Ensure they are plain and cooked properly, cut them into chewable pieces to avoid choking and restrict the quantity to small amounts. But if you'd rather avoid feeding your dog hot dogs altogether, we really wouldn't blame you.

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Other foods that are not safe for dogs

Knowing what to feed your furry beloved is one of the biggest responsibilities as a pet parent, so take a look below at some of the other foods unfit for canine consumption. And if you're still wondering - what 'human' foods can dogs eat - check out our blog for more. 

• Cat food
• Milk
• Garlic

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Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community.