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A plain cooked beef patty is not toxic, but a fast-food hamburger is fatty and salty, and the onions, sauces, and seasonings are the real concern. A bite of plain patty is low-risk; the assembled burger, with onion and condiments, warrants more care.
Check Hamburger for your dog
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Why Hamburger needs caution
The beef itself is fine, but fast-food burgers are fatty and salty and usually built with onion, and sauces and seasoning can add garlic. Onion and garlic damage canine red blood cells, and the fat can inflame the pancreas.
Signs to watch for
Upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea; with onion or garlic, weakness or pale gums later
What to do next
Share only plain unseasoned patty in small amounts; if the burger had onion, sauce, or seasoning, note the amount and call your vet, especially for a small dog.
A small bite of plain patty is usually low-risk. The concern is the fat and salt in quantity and any onion, garlic, or sauce, with small dogs affected sooner.
Can I treat this at home?
A small piece of plain, unseasoned patty for a healthy dog is generally fine to watch at home.
When should I call the vet?
A burger with onion or sauce, a fatty or large amount, a small dog, or signs of vomiting, a painful belly, weakness, or pale gums.
•ASPCA APCC, people foods to avoid feeding your pets (onions, garlic and chives; fatty foods; salt)
Compiled from veterinary poison-control and medical reference sources, including the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the Pet Poison Helpline, and the Merck Veterinary Manual. This is general educational information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for examination by your veterinarian. DogSafe's severity ratings are our own assessment, calculated from published guidance and your dog's weight. In an emergency, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.