Throw a Bark-tastic BBQ while Keeping Your Pets Safe!

Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill, invite friends over, and enjoy a sizzling BBQ. But before you start the festivities, it's essential to ensure the safety and well-being of your furry friends.

Create a Pet-Friendly Zone For Your Pet To Relax

Set up a designated area where your pets can relax and enjoy the fun in the sun without getting caught under feet or exposed to potential hazards. Use baby gates or create a temporary enclosure to keep your pets away from the grilling area and the crowd. This will keep them safe and minimizes the risk of them getting into trouble. You can provide them with their favorite toys, a cozy bed, and fresh water in a shaded area. This way, they can relax and enjoy themselves while staying cool and comfortable. Stay mindful of temperature during your event and move them to a cooler space inside if it gets too warm.

Mind the Grill

Grilling can be the highlight of the summer, but it's crucial to keep your pets away from hot surfaces and potential food dangers. Prevent your pets from approaching the grill by setting boundaries. Use a physical barrier or assign a responsible family member or friend to keep an eye on your pets and ensure they stay away from the grill. Keep your grill-side workspace clean and clear of any food or scraps that may tempt your furry friends.

Create Some Pet-Friendly Items for Your Pet to Enjoy the Summer Fun

While you’re prepping your menu for your BBQ, why not add some delicious treats specifically for your pets to enjoy? Prepare frozen treats using pet-friendly ingredients like pureed fruits or yogurt. These icy delights will help your pets cool down and provide them with a tasty and refreshing snack.

Be Mindful of Food Hazards

It may seem cruel to withhold summer treats that we get to enjoy from our pets, but feeding pets "people food" often results in problems ranging from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe pancreatitis and even potentially life-threatening obstructions. Some common BBQ foods can be harmful or toxic to pets. Avoid sharing the following items with your furry friends:

• Corn on the cob: While they’re not toxic, corn cobs are a choking hazard. Corn cobs are indigestible. They don’t break down in your dog’s stomach and that means there is a high risk of bowel obstruction.
• Grapes and Raisins: These can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Onions and Garlic: These can damage your pet's red blood cells.
• Avocado: Avocado contains persin, which can be toxic to pets.
• Chocolate: Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats.
• Alcohol: Keep alcoholic beverages out of reach of pets, as they can cause intoxication and other serious health issues.
• Any Meat with Bones: Bones can splinter easily into sharp pieces. Splinters can lodge in a pet’s throat or intestine, or they can cause punctures to the intestinal tract and create blockages. They may stay lodged in a dog’s body for days before symptoms appear. Signs of serious problems may include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, or diarrhea. Sometimes the bone will pass by itself. Other times, surgical removal is needed.

Watch Out for Table Scraps & Trash

Remind your guests not to share their BBQ scraps with your pets, as certain foods can be harmful to them. Inform your friends and family about what foods are safe and unsafe for pets. Remind them to resist the temptation to feed your pets from their plates. Ensure that all trash bags and garbage cans are securely covered to prevent your pets from rummaging through potentially harmful waste.

Fireworks Safety

If your summer BBQ coincides with fireworks, take extra precautions to keep your pets calm and secure. Create a quiet and comfortable space indoors where your pets can retreat during the fireworks display. Play soothing music or white noise to help drown out the noise. Make sure your pets are properly identified with collars and tags. In case they get scared and escape, this will increase the chances of a safe return. Make sure your pets are also microchipped your pets for added security.

 

With a little extra planning and consideration, you can host a memorable summer BBQ while keeping your pets safe and happy. So, fire up the grill, enjoy the company of friends and family, and make it a paw-some BBQ that your pets will remember fondly!