Memorial Day foods your dog should avoid

(KTLA) — While your furry friend may be begging for food scraps at the Memorial Day barbecue, that doesn’t mean they should eat it. Experts said certain Memorial Day food staples, like grilled steak, chicken wings, and barbecued ribs, shouldn’t be consumed by dogs due to potential choking hazards.

Dr. Jerry Klein, the chief veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club, detailed in a blog post why dogs shouldn’t have cooked bones.

“They splinter into shards that can cause choking and serious damage to the dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines,” Klein said.

To avoid a trip to the vet, experts with the AKC compiled a list of foods dogs should avoid during a Memorial Day barbecue.

• Hot dogs
• Salt
• Garlic
• Onions
• Raw meat
• Shallots
• Leeks
• Chives
• Ketchup
• Corn on the cob
• Salty snacks, like popcorn and chips
• Chocolate
• Ice cream
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Fat trimmings from the grill

If your pet does eat something they shouldn’t, experts advise pet owners to contact their local vet or the Pet Poison Helpline. For a full list of foods dogs can and can’t eat, click here.