What a great time of year to have a BBQ with friends, relatives and pets. Did you know that this can bring serious hazards for our pets? I’m passionate about keeping your pet healthy and safe so here’s a few tips to avoid a costly trip to the vets when having a BBQ this summer.
- Keep your pet at a safe distance from the BBQ – the smell of cooking food can be enticing but it could cause serious burns.
- Never leave pets unattended with a hot grill.
- Cool the BBQ down as quickly as possible after cooking.
- Avoid giving your dog titbits from the BBQ, sausages and burgers can be high in fat which could cause tummy upsets and in some cases pancreatitis.
- Make sure all scraps/rubbish are safely out of reach of your pet. A scavenging nose might eat a tasty bone, skewer or the inners of a corn on the cob and these can lead to tummy blockages and in some cases cause damage to their stomach and/or intestines.
- Clean up any grease that might fall from the BBQ – your pet might accidently eat grease covered stones or gravel, which could lead to a blockage and surgery.
- Alcohol is toxic for dogs and cats so spills and left over drinks should be cleaned away and safely disposed of.
- Lastly, keep your pet in the shade, with plenty of fresh water to avoid heatstroke.
I hope you enjoy many safe BBQ’s but if you do need advice do give your vet a call.