Hot dogs are a great summer cookout and ballpark food. There’s no question about that. But, are hot dogs safe to feed your dog?

Unfortunately, hot dogs are not meat that should be given to your dog because there are many ingredients that are unrecognizable. Those ingredients are risky and can be toxic to your animal, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and feed your dog an alternative treat.  Some hot dog components that can be toxic for dogs: 

• Monosodium glutamate (MSG) 
• Sugar
• Sodium Nitrate 
• Artificial Sweeteners 
• Onion
• Garlic 

The sodium levels of hot dogs are what make them so concerning for your dog. The American Kennel Club states that a dog that weighs approximately 33 pounds only needs 200 milligrams of sodium every day.  If you look at a hot dog’s ingredient list, you’ll see that it contains more than 500 milligrams of sodium.

Giving your dog just one-half of that hot dog already puts him/her over the limit for the day and then some. Too much sodium will dehydrate your dog and possibly influence their blood pressure.

So, the general consensus is to avoid ever sharing your favorite cookout meal with your dog.