Dos and don’ts for a safe game day!

Game day is nearly here! For some people, Super Bowl snacks are the main attraction. While you happily chow down on MVP snacks like hot wings, nachos and jalapeño poppers, pay close attention to your dog or they might try a quarterback sneak to steal a snack. Keep the day safe by following these dos and don’ts.

Super Bowl DOs

• Wow your crowd with your snacks—but keep them out of your dog’s reach, whether that means behind a kitchen door or on a high surface. Wow your dog by keeping a bowl of small dog-friendly treats handy for your guests to share instead!
• Regularly clean up plates and other trash as the game progresses. This will help keep a curious nose out of potentially hazardous foods.
• Keep your drinks—whether they’re alcoholic or not—in your hands!

Super Bowl DON’Ts

• Don't share spicy or fatty foods with your dog. Many fan-favorite snacks can cause stomach upset and even pancreatitis in dogs. Other foods may be toxic or pose a choking hazard.
• Foods with garlic or onion in them can cause red blood cell and kidney damage.
• Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more danger it poses. As little as 1 ounce of baker’s or gourmet dark chocolate can cause toxic effects in a mid-sized dog.
• Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Not only are macadamia nuts very fatty, potentially causing pancreatitis, they’re also toxic and can cause illness in dogs. 
• While spicy foods may not be toxic to your dog, they’re certain to cause stomach upset, so keep the jalapeño poppers to yourself!
• Don't leave plates filled with chicken wing bones—they’re tempting to dogs but are a worry. Cooked bones can splinter and puncture the esophagus, stomach or intestines, or become lodged, causing choking or an intestinal blockage. Other leftovers on plates, such as creamy dips, potato chips and pizza, can cause stomach upset. 
• Don't share your drinks with your dog or leave them unattended. Celebrating plays is part of the fun but watch for sneaky pets lapping up drinks during the cheering…or booing.
• Like chocolate, coffee contains caffeine and can have the same toxic effects.
• Drinks containing alcohol can cause serious problems in dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, coma and death.

 

If you believe your dog has eaten something toxic, don’t panic. If possible, figure out what was eaten, then contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (1-888-426-4435) right away.