Hot Dog

Meat

Age Suggestion

12 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

one whole hot dog in a bun on a white background

Warning

Hot dogs are a common cause of choking due to their springy, firm consistency and slick exterior. Please read the How to Serve section to learn how to safely prepare this food.

When can babies have hot dogs?

Wait to introduce hot dogs until a child is 12 months of age or older. Hot dogs are a common choking hazard for young children, and most styles are very high in sodium and nitrates. An occasional taste before the first birthday is fine, as long as the hot dog is prepared in an age-appropriate way to reduce the risk of choking and avoid condiments containing honey, which is associated with a risk of infant botulism.

Hot dogs are a type of sausage made by mixing ground meat, seasonings, salt, and other preservatives and forming the mixture into a link that is served in a bun. When they were introduced to the United States by European immigrants in the 1900s, hot dogs were made from ground beef or pork. Today, a variety of fillers are used to make hot dogs, including bison, chicken, turkey, and plant-based ingredients like beans, soy, and wheat.

Is it safe to share hot dogs with babies?

Yes, as long as the hot dog is carefully prepared to reduce the risk of choking. Hot dogs can be rich in protein, fat, choline, iron, selenium, zinc, and vitamin B12. While hot dogs tend to be high in sodium and nitrates, it’s fine to offer in an age-appropriate way as one part of a variety of food in the diet.

Are hot dogs a common allergen?

No. Hot dogs are not a common food allergen, although it is possible to have allergies to ingredients in hot dogs, such as beef, pork, and others. Also, other ingredients that are common food allergens may be added to hot dogs, such as eggs or wheat from breadcrumbs, so make sure to read the ingredients list.

Certain tick bites (mainly the Lone Star tick in the continental United States, but other ticks in different parts of the world), are associated with the development of an allergy to galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (“alpha gal”), a sugar which is present in all non-primate mammalian meat. This results in a delayed allergic reaction 3-8 hours after red meat is consumed. However, some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products, gelatin, or organ tissues (such as liver) from mammals. Individuals with cat allergies, may also have an increased risk of allergy to pork products, also known as pork-cat syndrome.

As with introducing any new food, start by serving a small quantity for the first few servings, and if there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Are hot dogs a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. The springy, firm consistency and slick exterior of a hot dog, as well as the environment in which they tend to be eaten (outdoors, away from the table), greatly increase choking risk. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve hot dogs in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Videos

Juliet Rose, 19 months, eats a hot dog cut into quarters lengthwise with ketchup and mustard.

Aaïla, 20 months, eats a hot dog halved lengthwise.

Do hot dogs need to be cooked before eating?

Yes. Even though hot dogs are commonly sold “pre-cooked,” cooking them before serving reduces the risk of foodborne illness.

How do you serve hot dogs to babies and toddlers?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.

6 months old +:

Try to avoid, since hot dogs pose a high risk of choking. If you do decide to offer a taste of hot dog at this age, make sure it is cooked thoroughly, remove the casing if there is one, finely chop the meat, and stir the pieces into a soft, scoopable food.

12 months old +:

Cut cooked hot dog into quarters lengthwise, creating long, thin sticks that the toddler can practice biting. When serving, be sure the child is seated and that a caregiver is an arm’s length away. When offering hot dog at this age, avoid cutting it into rounds, half-moons, or small quarters. These shapes can actually increase the risk of choking. Serving long strips of hot dog encourages the child to take bites of the food, increasing the likelihood of chewing and priming the brain to further break down the food.

18 months old +:

Cut cooked hot dog lengthwise into long halves, or continue cutting into long, quartered sticks. When serving, be sure the child is seated and that a caregiver is an arm’s length away. When offering hot dog at this age, avoid cutting it into round sections or bite-sized pieces. These shapes can actually increase the risk of choking.

24 months old +:

At this age, toddlers may be ready to practice eating a whole hot dog (with the bun, as desired) once they are demonstrating mature eating skills, which include not overstuffing the mouth with food, taking accurate bites, and chewing thoroughly before swallowing. Expect some mess as the toddler learns to manage this challenging food. A whole hot dog actually poses less choking risk than a hot dog cut into rounds or “coin” shapes. Why? When the brain is actively engaged in taking bites, the body is more prepared for safe chewing and swallowing.