Have you been enjoying this beautiful summer? It’s time to unpack the grill and invite our family and friends over for a good old-fashioned barbecue outside. Our family pooch can often appear to enjoy a BBQ just as much as we do. Memories are made watching children and puppy dogs bound through sprinklers at these fun summer events. However, it’s important to remember that BBQs can also be dangerous for pets. As pet parents ourselves, we wanted to share these food and party safety tips to ensure your pet also has a fun and safe BBQ season.
1. AVOID LETTING YOUR PET NEAR THE GRILL
You can’t have a BBQ without firing up the grill; however, grills are very dangerous for cats and dogs. Whether you’re cooking on a gas, propane, or charcoal grill, it’s important to keep the grill monitored at all times to avoid your pets from getting burnt. The same goes for keeping any chemical fluid out of their reach, which can be toxic if ingested. It’s also essential to keep grilling tools and items away from pets, as they could cause serious harm, too. If wood or metal skewers are accidentally ingested, it could puncture their gastrointestinal tracts, resulting in surgery, or even death.
2. No Licking The Plate Clean
We know sometimes it’s tempting to give that leftover bone, corn cob, or piece of fruit to your pet, but keep in mind some of these leftovers can result in anywhere from an upset tummy to a medical emergency! Cooked bones can cause damage to the intestinal tract when swallowed because they break up easier and the sharp pieces can puncture your pet’s intestines. Corn on the cob is a choking hazard for pets. Other common barbecue foods that can be toxic for your dog include avocado (and guacamole), garlic, onions, grapes, peaches, and chocolate. Remember to keep alcohol out of pet’s reach too.
That said, there are some safe foods that your pet can enjoy with you—make sure NOT to season them and only serve them when they are cold. Such foods include:
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Hotdogs cut into pieces
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Grilled sweet peppers, zucchini or sweet potato
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Lean chicken, fish, or steak
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Chilled seedless watermelon
3. Fireworks Aren’t Fun for Pets
As pretty as they can be, the loud sounds from fireworks can really scare pets. So skip the fireworks when your furry friends are around. When other families or your town are setting off fireworks, keep your dog close or inside while the fireworks are going off. Always make sure your pet has proper ID tags in case they do happen to fun off from the loud sounds.
4. Keep Hydrated
It’s great to have your furry friend at the party, but do remember that they might not handle the heat so well. Always have a large bowl of fresh water outside that they can easily access. Keep them hydrated to avoid heat stroke or heat stress.
5. Don’t Ditch the Party
With so many people around, pets may start to feel anxious. Make sure that you are in a fenced area or have your pet leashed up. We don’t want them trying to ditch the party early.
Keep these safety tips in mind when you have a BBQ party, you can easily have a fun time with your family and friends!
