Picnicking with your dog!
How to have the pawfect picnic for the whole family this summer
Ahh summer – the gift that really keeps on giving. What better way to spend a nice summer’s day than enjoying a picnic with the whole family.
And the family dog doesn’t need to miss out!
Follow our handy guide on dog-friendly picnic foods, grab the picnic blanket and your dog’s favourite ball, and make memories to treasure forever this summer.
Let your dog enjoy! ✔️
✔️ Fruits & veggies
There are lots of fruits and vegetables that your dog can enjoy with you at a picnic, including watermelon (deseeded), blueberries, apples (deseeded), carrots, cucumber, strawberries and raspberries. These fresh foods will not only help hydrate your dogs with their natural water content, but also provide a burst of nutrients including fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, manganese, potassium, antioxidants, calcium, iron, and more, making them a healthy and delicious snack.
✔️ Leo & Wolf treats
Take the fuss out of feeding time and stock up on some Leo & Wolf treats. You can choose from oven baked chicken, beef, turkey, salmon and liver treats, or cold dried tripe treats, which are all packed with high-quality protein and other nutrients, and are available in handy resealable bags ideal for transporting with a picnic.
✔️ Plain cooked fish & meats
Whilst we’re raw meat advocates here at Nutriment, we also only recommend feeding raw food that has been produced according to the high safety standards that we adhere to. If you’re wanting to let your dog enjoy some meat at the family picnic, we suggest home cooking a small batch of plain chicken or salmon for your dog to feast on.
✔️ Bones
The ultimate picnic treat for your dog to enjoy – raw bones. With an extensive selection available from Nutriment, your dog will be spoilt for choice. Raw bones and treats are also a great choice for keeping your dog mentally stimulated! Remember, never feed your dog cooked bones due to the splintering and choking hazard they pose.
Best off keeping to yourself ❌
❌ Sandwiches & crisps
A staple and family favourite of the picnic basket – the humble sandwich and crisps. Unfortunately, wheat, fillers, and a high salt/fat content can wreak havoc on a dog’s digestive system. It’s best to keep these just for the humans to enjoy.
❌ Processed meats
You may think that a sausage roll or pork pie would go down a treat for your dog, but it’s best off avoiding these processed meat foods due to the high salt, fat and preservative content. These can upset sensitive tummies and leave your pup feeling bloated and lethargic.
❌ Sugary snacks
Cupcakes, biscuits, scones, sweets – there’s nothing quite like a mid-afternoon sugary snack. But the high sugar content and artificial ingredients list that usually accompanies our favourite sweet treats are not appropriate for dogs to consume.
❌ Toxic treats
Remember that certain human-safe foods contain toxic ingredients for dogs and should be avoided at all times. Chocolate, avocados, nuts, raisins and grapes may all be great picnic snacks, but are dangerous for dogs to eat, so make sure they are kept away from your dog.
Other picnic essentials
Now that we’ve got the most important thing sorted (food is definitely our favourite thing to think about!), we’ve also put together a list of other picnic essentials to make sure your four-legged friend is happy and safe at the next family picnic:
- Portable water bowl – your dog should always have access to fresh water, especially in warmer temperatures and after exercising.
- A lead tie out stake – consider how you’ll be your dog safe and restrained (if necessary) whilst you enjoy your picnic. A lead tie out stake is a great option for keeping your dog safe.
- Shade! Plan your picnic location well to ensure ample shade for helping to keep your dog cool in hot weather. Bonus points for picking a location where your dog can have the opportunity to cool off in a stream or lake (if swimming is their thing!).
If your dog ever starts to show any signs of heat exhaustion (frantic panting, a rapid heart rate, excessive drooling, vomiting/ diarrhoea, or disorientation), please contact your vet immediately
