Paws and Patriots: Safe Memorial Day Fun for Your Dog (and Their Gut)

Emanuela Visone
May 25, 2025
3 min read

Prologue: Because Our Heroes Deserve Happy, Healthy Dogs Too

Golden retriever wrapped in an American flag, sitting with tongue out, on a white background. The dog appears cheerful and patriotic.

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance and gratitude—a moment to honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. It’s also a day of gathering, laughter, sunshine, and yes—sharing it all with our loyal, four-legged companions.

As we fire up the grill and head outside, let’s not forget: our dogs rely on us to keep them safe, calm, and belly-happy amid the celebration.

Memorial Day with Your Best Furry Friend

A couple grills outdoors, a man in an apron cooks. Two people sit on a bench, playing guitar. A dog sits nearby. Sunny picnic scene.

Memorial Day is here, and while we honor our fallen heroes, it’s also a chance to make beautiful memories with our own furry patriots—our dogs! But here’s the thing: what’s fun for us—BBQs, crowds, and fireworks—can quickly turn into a digestive nightmare for our pups.

At DogIBS, I help dog parents support their pups through natural, gut-focused strategies that keep tails wagging—even during holiday chaos. Whether it’s heat stress, table scraps, or noisy parades, gut health can make or break your dog’s experience.

Why Memorial Day Can Be Tough on Dog Guts

A dog's eyes peek over a checkered tablecloth at a stack of hot dogs on a red plate, set against a red background. The mood is curious.

⚠️ Common Holiday Gut Hazards:

Rich, greasy BBQ food → can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis

Sudden diet changes (well-meaning guests sneaking hot dogs!)

Heat and dehydration → stress the digestive system and immune response

Loud noises → trigger anxiety, which often leads to loose stools or appetite loss

🧠 Gut Connection 101:

When your dog is stressed or eating foods their system isn’t used to, their gut becomes inflamed. The result?

Gas and bloating
Loose stools or constipation
Lethargy or food refusal

Gut balance = emotional and physical stability. And that means a much smoother holiday for everyone.

🐾 Safe and Fun Memorial Day Ideas for Dogs

✅ 1. Keep Their Food Routine the Same

Circular images of grilled meat, chips in a bowl, and a beer mug, each with a red "X" over them, suggesting restriction or prohibition.

Stick with your dog’s normal diet on Memorial Day—no ribs, no chips, no beer (yes, it happens!).

DogIBS Tip: If you want your pup to enjoy a special treat, offer cooked sweet potato mash or a dollop of plain zucchini and celery purée mixed with some raw goat yogurt, or a frozen cube of homemade bone broth.

✅ 2. Protect Against Heat Stress

Dog relaxing under wooden bench, casting striped shadows on stone patio. Sunny day with greenery in background. Calm atmosphere.

Dogs overheat easily, especially flat-faced breeds like pugs or bulldogs.

Provide shaded areas and plenty of water

Add a splash of coconut water to their bowl for electrolytes

Watch for signs like heavy panting, glazed eyes, or refusal to eat

✅ 3. Prep for Noise Anxiety

Dog under a red blanket with a sign saying "Please don't buy fireworks, I am scared." Background shows a wooden chair, conveying a cozy mood.

Fireworks, parades, and sudden booms can upset even the calmest dog.

Create a quiet retreat space indoors

Play calming music (or white noise) during loud times

Use natural calming tools like chamomile tea, CBD (vet-approved), or a lick mat with mashed banana + turmeric

✅ 4. Make DIY Frozen Gut-Friendly Treats

Bowl of unsweetened coconut yogurt and blueberries on a wooden table with blue paw-shaped molds. Labels indicate measurements.

Cool them down and support their gut with:

½ cup unsweetened coconut yogurt
¼ cup blueberries

Blend and freeze in paw-shaped molds!

✅ 5. Set Boundaries with Guests

No feeding dog sign: A hand dropping food next to a brown dog with a red circle and slash symbol.

Let guests know ahead of time not to feed your pup. Keep a small bowl of safe dog treats on hand so kids or relatives can offer something approved!

🐶 DogIBS: Holiday Support for Happy Guts

Emanuela's mission at DogIBS. is to help dogs with sensitive stomachs not just survive but thrive—especially during unpredictable times like the holidays.

With custom coaching, gut-friendly recipes, and success stories from dogs like Roxie and Maddie, we’re helping dog parents build natural, resilient wellness from the inside out.

Epilogue: Celebrate With Love—And a Healthy Gut

Memorial Day is about honoring sacrifice, sharing joy, and spending time with those who mean the most including your dog. With a little preparation and a lot of love, you can give your pup the safe, happy holiday they deserve—free from tummy troubles and full of tail wags.