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How do I stop my 8 kg terrier from stealing grilled octopus tentacles off the BBQ at a summer party?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Keep him on a leash or in a separate, gated area away from the grill — the rubbery texture is a genuine choking hazard even when cooked. Assign a guest to be the 'food watcher' if you're busy hosting, because a determined dog can grab and swallow a piece in seconds. Have safer dog treats ready to distract him. If he does get one, watch him closely for gagging, coughing, or trying to swallow repeatedly, and be prepared to call the vet.

Octopus — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Very rubbery and a genuine choking risk even when cooked. Best avoided.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Octopus is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Octopus can turn up now and then, but not as a daily habit: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Octopus food facts page.

Open the full food page: Octopus food facts →