Summer is for indulgence, drippy cones, backyard BBQs, fruity snacks, and fizzy drinks. But while we’re soaking in the sunshine and licking barbecue sauce off our fingers, our pets often watch (and sniff) from the sidelines, eager to join in. And let’s be honest: tossing them a taste is tempting. But some of the season’s most beloved foods can be seriously harmful, or even deadly, for dogs and cats, even in small amounts.
What makes summer especially risky is the casual atmosphere. Foods get dropped, drinks get left out, and guests who don’t know better sneak scraps under the table. But just because something is a staple on our picnic plate doesn’t mean it’s safe for pets. From seemingly harmless corn cobs to popsicles packed with xylitol, these common summer treats can spell big trouble for your furry friend. Here’s what to keep off the shared menu, and why.
1. Ice Cream
A cone of ice cream might seem like the perfect treat to share on a hot day, but it’s often a recipe for stomach upset, or worse, for pets. Most cats and dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning their digestive systems can’t properly process dairy. This can lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. Flavored varieties pose even more danger. Chocolate ice cream contains theobromine, a toxic chemical to dogs and cats. Coffee flavors are just as bad, and even “sugar-free” options can contain xylitol, a deadly sweetener for dogs.
Even small amounts can be problematic, especially for smaller pets or those with underlying conditions. While pet-safe frozen treats exist, many well-meaning owners assume a few licks won’t hurt, and that’s where trouble starts. In summer, ice cream often gets dropped on the ground or shared in bites, increasing the chances of accidental ingestion. If you want to cool off your pet, choose frozen dog-safe peanut butter treats or plain ice cubes. Source: ASPCA
2. Grapes and Raisins
They may seem like a healthy, refreshing snack, but grapes and raisins are shockingly toxic to dogs. Just a handful, sometimes even a single grape, can lead to acute kidney failure. What’s most troubling is that scientists still don’t fully understand why. Some dogs can eat grapes without incident, while others have life-threatening reactions. There’s no safe amount, no reliable pattern, and no way to know in advance how your dog might respond. For cats, toxicity is rarer but still possible and not worth the risk.
Symptoms can start within hours: vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Left untreated, it can progress to kidney shutdown and death. Raisins are even more concentrated and often sneak into summer dishes like trail mix, oatmeal cookies, or tossed salads. The risk isn’t just what you intentionally give your pet, it’s what falls to the floor during parties or gets snagged from an open bag. The safest approach? Keep grapes and raisins completely off-limits and out of reach. Source: Pet Poison Helpline
3. Corn on the Cob
Corn isn’t toxic to pets, but the cob is a dangerous choking hazard and one of the most common reasons for emergency vet visits in the summer. Dogs, especially larger breeds, often gnaw on leftover cobs like chew toys or swallow them whole. The problem is that corn cobs are nearly indigestible. If they make it past the throat, they can become lodged in the intestines, causing life-threatening blockages. These cases often require surgery, and the longer it’s left untreated, the higher the risk of rupture or sepsis.
What makes corn on the cob especially risky is how casually it’s served at barbecues and picnics. A cob might get tossed on the ground, or a well-meaning guest might hand it over as a “treat.” It’s one of the most deceptively dangerous foods for dogs. Even if they manage to chew it, sharp cob fragments can damage the GI tract. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your pet has eaten a corn cob. Symptoms like vomiting, straining, or lethargy can escalate quickly. Source: VCA Hospitals
4. Barbecue Bones
It’s a classic image, a dog gnawing happily on a leftover rib bone, but in reality, cooked bones are a serious danger. Once heated, bones become brittle and prone to splintering. These sharp fragments can puncture the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines, leading to choking, internal bleeding, or painful obstructions. Chicken bones, in particular, are small and fragile, making them especially hazardous for both dogs and cats. Even larger beef or pork bones from BBQs can cause broken teeth or get lodged in the esophagus.
The risk doesn’t end at the grill. Cooked bones often get tossed in trash bins or dropped on the ground, where pets can easily swipe them. Greasy sauces or meat remnants attract pets to dig bones out of unattended plates or picnic leftovers. While raw bones under veterinary supervision may be safe sometimes, cooked bones should never be given to pets. If your pet swallows one, look for signs like gagging, vomiting, bloated belly, or blood in stool, and seek immediate veterinary attention. Source: American Kennel Club
5. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs may be a summer staple for humans, but for pets, they’re a processed nightmare. These salty, fatty meats are often loaded with preservatives, nitrates, and ingredients like onion or garlic powder, which are toxic to dogs and cats. Even “plain” hot dogs can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas, especially in smaller breeds or pets with sensitive stomachs. The high sodium content alone can lead to excessive thirst, vomiting, or even sodium ion poisoning if eaten in large amounts.
Hot dogs are often dropped or handed over at cookouts, as a treat, making them a common source of unintentional poisoning. Some versions even have cheese or spices inside, adding to the risk. And if swallowed whole, they can be a choking hazard, particularly for dogs that gulp food without chewing. If you want to include your pet in the festivities, offer a vet-approved dog treat or a small bite of plain, cooked chicken breast instead. Source: PetMD
6. Alcoholic Drinks and Beer
It might seem funny when a dog sneaks a sip of beer at a party, but alcohol is highly toxic to pets, and there’s nothing humorous about the effects. Even small amounts of ethanol, found in beer, wine, and cocktails, can lead to severe central nervous system depression in dogs and cats. Symptoms include drooling, disorientation, staggering, slowed breathing, seizures, and in extreme cases, coma or death. Pets metabolize alcohol differently than humans, and what seems like a tiny taste to us can be a big problem for them.
The danger isn’t just in drinks. Alcohol can also hide in fermented foods, unbaked bread dough (which produces alcohol in the stomach), or desserts like rum cake or spiked fruit salads. On hot days, pets may be tempted to lap up leftover drinks, especially sweet, fruity ones. If you suspect your pet has ingested any alcohol, it’s considered a veterinary emergency. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Keep cups, bottles, and bowls out of reach, and make sure guests know not to offer sips, no matter how cute your dog looks begging. Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control
7. Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most well-known pet toxins, but it still ends up in paws-reach far too often, especially during summer when s’mores, brownies, and chocolate-dipped everything are everywhere. The danger comes from two compounds: theobromine and caffeine, both of which pets metabolize slowly. These stimulants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, death. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most toxic, but even milk chocolate can be harmful, depending on the amount and the size of the pet.
Summer poses unique risks with chocolate. S’mores at bonfires, cookies at picnics, and candy bars left melting in beach bags can tempt curious noses. And because dogs often eat wrappers along with the candy, the risk of gastrointestinal blockage rises. It’s not just direct feeding that’s dangerous; the dropped or forgotten snacks get them in trouble. If you suspect your dog or cat ate any chocolate, call your vet or a poison control hotline immediately; they can calculate the danger based on type and weight. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
8. Guacamole
Guacamole may be the star of summer spreads, but it’s a minefield for pets. The biggest offender is the avocado, which contains a substance called persin. While dogs are more resistant to persin than some animals (like birds or rabbits), eating large amounts of avocado flesh, skin, or especially the pit can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis. The pit itself is a significant choking hazard and can also cause a dangerous intestinal blockage. But the real danger often comes from the other ingredients in guac.
Most guacamole recipes include onions, garlic, and sometimes even chili or lime, which can harm dogs and cats. Onions and garlic are part of the allium family and can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. These effects are cumulative, so even small doses over time can be harmful. With dips being left out at parties or scooped onto plates near pets, accidental ingestion is common. If your dog gets into the chip bowl or licks up some guac, you should monitor closely and contact your vet. Source: VCA Animal Hospitals
10. Macaroni or Potato Salad
It’s not just the pasta or potatoes that pose a problem; everything else mixed in. Summer salads often include onions, garlic, chives, scallions, and mayonnaise, which can spell trouble for pets. Onions and garlic, even powdered or cooked, can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats, leading to hemolytic anemia. Symptoms may not appear for several days, including lethargy, weakness, pale gums, and dark urine. Chives and scallions have a similar effect, and allium toxicity builds up over time with repeated exposure.
Mayonnaise itself isn’t toxic, but it’s very high in fat, which can trigger pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that causes vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration. These salads also tend to be left out at room temperature for long periods, making them a bacterial playground. A quick lick or stolen bite from a picnic plate can turn into a costly vet visit. To keep pets safe, ensure all dishes with creamy dressings, spices, or added seasonings stay out of reach. Source: American Kennel Club
11. Peach, Cherry, and Apricot Pits
Fruity and festive, stone fruits like peaches, cherries, and apricots are summer staples, but their pits seriously threaten pets. These hard centers are the perfect size to choke a dog or cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed whole. But the bigger issue lies inside: the seeds contain amygdalin, a compound that converts to cyanide when chewed and digested. While a single pit might not release enough toxin to harm a large dog, multiple pits or chewed seeds can lead to drooling, breathing trouble, and even seizures or collapse.
These fruits often go half-eaten at cookouts or get tossed aside in picnic trash, making them easy for curious pets to scavenge. Dogs that love chewing or digging in garbage are especially at risk. Even if the fruit flesh isn’t toxic, it’s best to avoid giving stone fruits to pets altogether, unless they’re pitted, peeled, and served in tiny, plain portions. When in doubt, skip the fruit salad and offer pet-safe treats instead. Source: Pet Poison Helpline
Keep the Treats, Skip the Emergency Vet
Summer is all about sharing the joy, but when it comes to pets, not everything that’s tasty for us is safe for them. From sweet popsicles to savory BBQ bones, the warm-weather treats we love can pose hidden dangers that lead to everything from stomach troubles to life-threatening emergencies. The best way to show your pet love this season? Keep human snacks on your plate and offer species-safe alternatives instead.
If you’re unsure whether a food is pet-safe, don’t guess; check trusted sources like the ASPCA Animal Poison Control or call your vet. Summer should be about tail wags and lazy naps in the sun, not panicked trips to the emergency clinic. With some knowledge and prevention, your furry friend can safely enjoy the season right by your side.
