Of course, you can feed your dogs hamburgers, but… not so fast.
Things to Consider Before Giving Your Dog Hamburgers
But before you serve these delicious treats to your dogs, here are a few things that would be good for everyone to know:
Plain meat: Meat is one of the malts that makes hamburgers, however since you are serving a puppy not an individual attempt to make sure there is no season in the meat. Serve this food straight up, for the safety of your furry friend.
Avoid Dangerous Ingredients: Everyone knows that hamburgers are juicy and dogs usually love them but adding ingredients like onions, garlic or something as simple as salt can turn your hamburger into a recipe for stomach pains in your pooch
Remember: all in moderation (and yes, I know this one is hard because burgers taste so good–but it makes you appreciate what u gotta eat lol)! However, they are a bit high in fat and calories so please believe me when I say your dogs DO NOT NEED MANY of these. Portion your pet’s hamburgers — unless one of their hobbies is a field trip to the emergency vet.
Allergic Reactions: Hard to believe, but several dogs are allergic to beef. At this point, I would recommend treading lightly — bring the treat to your puppy slowly and keep an eye out for issues like difficulty breathing or swallowing, digestive problems, skin reactions, etc. If you have none of these responses, then you are safe and can begin to slowly increase their consumption but if there’s a response steer clear.
Can hamburgers be a great treat for my dog?
My answer depends on the state of the meat you’re using for the treat. If it’s plain cooked meat then yes because it is safe and healthy. But if that hamburger is uncooked, you are playing with potentially fatal salmonella and E. coli in a hurry should the aftermath render itself unpretty. Also, make sure all the cooked meat is unboned in the hamburger. If not they can splinter and get lodged in your dog’s organs you know — not a good thing.
Making the right hamburgers for your dog
Want to make a tasty hamburger for your pooch? Don’t worry I’ve got you. One simple recipe to try on your own time:
Ingredients:
1 pound of lean ground beef
1 medium sweet potato, mashed
1/4 chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potato and beef with chopped parsley.
Form about ½-inch thick patties with the mixture.
Preheat grill to medium and cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink in the center
As soon as the patties are done, remove and allow them to completely cool.
Then, assemble your burger by placing the patty on a plate and topping it with yogurt or carrots.
FAQs
Can my dogs eat burgers?
Yes, your dogs can eat burgers but only if they are plain ones that don’t contain any harmful toppings.
How much hamburger can I feed my pup?
This number will vary based on the size of your dog but 10% is a good rule-of-thumb limit for an “average” sized adult pup.
Can my dogs have hamburger buns?
My answer is no, meaning I don`t recommend this for your pets, or any bread products because they have empty calories.
Are Cooked Hamburgers Safe for Dogs to Eat?
If you remove or don’t add harmful things to hamburgers, then yes — you may serve them to your dog.
Can my dogs eat hamburger meat?
Yes, they can but you have two jobs – cook it well and make sure it’s free of bones.
So, what about burgers with onions, can dogs eat those?
I believe I’ve covered this already, but needs remphasizing do not give your dogs burgers with onion in them as onions will kill their red blood cells and make them anemic.
Final words
A plain hamburger can be a fun treat for your pup every now and then, but you should not make it something they eat regularly. When feeding your pooch, make sure it is fed in appropriate quantities, and also do watch out for any reactions/allergies.
