Age Suggestion
12 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
Avoid hot dogs until at least 12 months of age, due to high choking risk and high levels of sodium and nitrates.
Hot dogs are a common cause of choking in children and adults alike due to their springy, firm consistency and slick exterior. Please read the how to serve section to learn how to serve this food safely.
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. Some hot dogs are “skinless” because they are formed with cellulose that is removed after cooking. Hot dogs may be a quintessential part of American cuisine, but the practice of eating sausage in a wrap is beloved worldwide, from New Zealand corn dogs to the khanom crepe roll-ups of Thailand to Argentinian panchos.
Generally, no. Hot dogs are often high in sodium and nitrates, ingredients that should be minimized or avoided during a child’s first year of life. That said, they can also offer plenty of protein, fat, B-vitamins, choline, and zinc.
After the first birthday, hot dogs may be served in moderation. Hot dogs and other processed red meats have received attention for their potential association with heart disease and cancer, although more research is needed. In general, try to minimize processed meats like hot dogs and choose alternatives like freshly cooked meat when possible.
★Tip: When shopping for hot dogs, choose products labeled “reduced sodium.” While these are still high in sodium, they can have half as much sodium as regular hot dogs.
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) make them an extremely high risk of choking. To reduce the risk, cut hot dogs lengthwise into quarters and ensure the child is seated when eating them. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment, stay within an arm’s reach of the child during meals, and check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions below. For more information on choking, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.
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.
Yes. Even though hot dogs are commonly sold “pre-cooked,” cooking them reduces the risk of foodborne illness.
No. In general, hot dogs are high in protein and fat and low in fiber, qualities that slow the processes of digestion and pooping. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about your baby’s pooping and digestive function, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.
All included in the Toddlers Bundle
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
Try to avoid, since hot dogs pose a high risk of choking and typically contain lots of sodium and nitrates. 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.
Cut cooked hot dog into quarters lengthwise, creating long, thin sticks that the toddler can practice taking bites from. Avoid cutting a hot dog into rounds, half-moons, or small quarters, as these shapes can actually increase the risk of choking. Serving in long strips encourages the child to take bites of the food, increasing the likelihood of chewing and priming the brain to further break down the food. Ensure the child is seated while eating and that a caregiver is an arm’s length away.
Cut cooked hot dog lengthwise into long halves, or continue cutting into long, quartered sticks. Avoid hot dog cut into round sections or bite-sized pieces. Ensure the child is seated while eating and that a caregiver is an arm’s length away.
At this age, if a child has mature eating skills (not overstuffing their mouths, taking accurate bites, and chewing thoroughly before swallowing), they can likely practice eating a whole hot dog, including the bun, although expect some mess as the child learns to deal with the challenging food. A whole hot dog actually poses less choking risk than a hot dog cut into rounds or “coin” shapes as when the brain is actively engaged in taking bites the body is more prepared for safe chewing and swallowing.
Sign up for weekly tips, recipes and more!
The content offered on SolidStarts.com is for informational purposes only. Solidstarts is not engaged in rendering professional advice, whether medical or otherwise, to individual users or their children or families. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or your medical or health professional, nutritionist, or expert in pediatric feeding and eating. By accessing the content on SolidStarts.com, you acknowledge and agree that you are accepting the responsibility for your child’s health and well-being. In return for providing you with an array of content “baby-led weaning” information, you waive any claims that you or your child may have as a result of utilizing the content on SolidStarts.com.