Easy, Pet-Friendly BBQ Sauce Recipes for Dogs and Cats

At your next backyard bash, bring your pets in on the fun—with a delicious, safe twist. Whip up a pet-friendly BBQ sauce you can lightly drizzle over dog- and cat-safe meats and vegetables. While traditional human BBQ sauces often contain ingredients like onions and garlic (which are toxic to pets), these two simple recipes are crafted with safety and flavor in mind.

A cheerful outdoor barbecue scene with dogs and cats nearby, bowls of colorful, pet-safe food on a picnic table

Developed by cookbook authors and Trunk Pop Dinners co-founders Marge Perry and David Bonom, both recipes use wholesome, vet-approved ingredients—including FurPetVo’s Bone Broth Pour Overs and FurPetVo’s Minced Chicken Recipe in Bone Broth Gravy—to deliver rich, savory notes without compromising nutrition.

Doggy Delicious BBQ Sauce

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 (5.5 oz) container FurPetVo Bone Broth Pour Overs Beef Stew
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke

Yield: 1 cup
Serving size: 1–2 tablespoons (as a topper or snack)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5–10 minutes

Instructions:
For a chunkier texture, combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
For a smoother consistency, blend everything until uniform.

Kitty ‘Cue Sauce

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 (5.5 oz) container FurPetVo Minced Chicken Recipe in Bone Broth Gravy
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Yield: 1 cup
Serving size: 1–2 tablespoons (as a topper or snack)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5–10 minutes

Instructions:
For a chunkier texture, mix all ingredients in a bowl.
For a smoother sauce, blend until fully combined.

Close-up of two small bowls—one with golden-brown dog-friendly BBQ sauce, the other with reddish-brown cat-friendly sauce—next to fresh sweet potato slices and grilled salmon fillet

How to Serve Your Homemade Pet-Friendly BBQ Sauce

For Dogs, Try It On…

  • Pet-safe kabobs: “We found we could get our dogs to wolf down vegetables—like carrots and red bell peppers—when coated in the barbecue sauce,” says Marge.
  • Sweet Potato Turkey Burger Sliders: Brush peeled sweet potato slices with peanut oil and grill for about 3 minutes per side until tender and easy to chew.
  • Grilled corn: Grill ears of corn, cut off the kernels, and drizzle lightly with sauce.
  • Zucchini crisps: Thinly sliced and baked zucchini offers nutrients and crunch.
  • Their kibble: “We put a little [sauce] on pieces of kibble—and both Zoey and Otis loved it!”

For Cats, Try It On…

  • Pet-safe kabobs: Loaded with lean protein and gentle veggies—perfect for curious feline palates.
  • Salmon: A great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Freeze-dried salmon treats also pair beautifully with the sauce.
  • Their kibble: A flavorful way to encourage picky eaters—or simply add variety to mealtime.
Marge and David smiling beside a sunny patio table set with pet-safe BBQ dishes, bowls for Otis and Zoey, and a watermelon slice in the foreground

Get to Know the Chefs: Marge and David

What did you enjoy most about making this recipe?
“We kept imagining having friends come over with their pups for a summer barbecue—and instead of setting up the usual kids’ table, we’ll have a doggy table, where pups get their very own barbecue!”

What was the biggest challenge?
“We wanted the sauce to have the enticing aromas of human barbecue sauce—but meet the nutritional needs of dogs, which are very different. This one came together easily for David, who specializes in barbecue (for humans).”

Did your pups help test the recipes?
“They’re our official taste-testers! Otis—a 2-year-old Hound/Dachshund-mix—will eat almost anything (including, once, an entire pound of dried lentils!). Zoey—a 4-year-old Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees rescue—is more selective. If Zoey likes it, we know it’s a winner! Otis scarfed it down instantly—and Zoey gave it a cautious sniff before diving in.”

How long did it take to develop?
“David is a grill master with deep experience developing barbecue recipes—so this went surprisingly fast. Before he even walked into the kitchen, he had the whole concept fully envisioned. Turns out, combining your love for dogs with your passion for barbecue really does work!”

Any advice for pet parents new to homemade pet food?
“Just as we want nourishing food for our human children, we want meals our pets will love—and that support their health. My advice? Step beyond familiar staples like bacon and meat alone. Explore wholesome produce and nutrient-rich bases—like those found in FurPetVo’s bone broth and minced recipes—to keep your dog thriving.”

And there you have it: two easy, vet-reviewed, pet-friendly BBQ sauces—one for dogs, one for cats. They’re simple, satisfying, and made with care.

Before you fire up the grill, here’s one last tip from Marge: “When making barbecue for your dogs, don’t forget dessert! Our dogs adore fresh watermelon.”

This recipe was designed for both cats and dogs and reviewed by a veterinarian. It is intended as a treat or snack only. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily food intake. Overfeeding treats may lead to nutrient imbalances. If your pet has health conditions—including food allergies, sensitivities to fats—or if you have any concerns, consult your veterinarian before offering this food.