Summer is here and the time is right for backyard barbecuing! Fun food, great friends and your beloved canine can all make your grilling this summer memorable, which is why it is so important to make sure that your barbecuing environment is safe for everybody including Fido. In an effort to help raise awareness to possible backyard grilling hazards, here’s some things that might seem harmless to humans but could potentially be a problem for your pooch. Keep reading to learn more.
Make sure your pup can’t get at the food…
With many backyard barbecues comes a lot of food in many fun and flavorful varieties. Grilled chicken, steak, hamburgers, vegetables in addition to various chilled salads of the fruit and vegetable variety might find their way to your picnic table. And as most doggie parents know there is nothing Fido loves more than food, which is why it is so important to keep it out of your pup’s reach. Although dogs can safely consume some human food there are also foods, many of which are hidden in things like salads, that dogs under no circumstances should consume.
Onions, garlic, raisins, grapes and avocado are all popular ingredients in much backyard barbecue fare. Bones in foods like steak, chicken and chops can also pose a hazard to your pup because they can splinter and also get stuck in your dog’s digestive tracts causing a myriad of problematic and expensive problems. Also, pay close attention to any food that my fall on the ground. As most dog lovers attest dogs are very eager to quickly gobble up any thing that lands on the ground. The only thing your dog should be eating is his regular food, and dog treats.
Watch out for (ethanol) Alcohol
Your pup should never consume alcohol of any kind. Dogs can quickly succumb to the effects of alcohol and become unwell. Dogs are much more vulnerable to alcohol than humans. What a human would consider a small amount can cause intoxication in a dog. Cups lefts within your dog’s reach or drinks that may have been spilled on the ground will seem like fair game to your dog.
Have plenty of water available
Most barbecues occur during the warmer months of spring and summer – or all year round depending on what part of the country you live in, which is why it is so important to make sure your pup has access to fresh water for drinking. For convenience, why not keep a dish of water outside near where your dog will be relaxing so that your pup can help himself.
Keep your dog away from the grill
With the heat and flames of a grill it is very important to make sure you pup is nowhere near your grill. The smell of alluring food and even his parent’s presence can draw your dog’s attention. Even if your pup’s nose touches the outside of a hot grill it can still get burned. Gas grills can also pose a potential problem. The best policy during grilling is to either keep your pooch inside or securely attached to a doggie tie-out far away from the grill (but close enough to his water).
Watch out for garbage
Keep an eye out for any garbage, such as plates, napkins, cups or bones that may be left behind within your dog’s reach. Not only may these items contain harmful ingredients they can also be a choking hazard or cause a blockage in your pup’s digestive tract if ingested. If you are the host or hostess, keep a close eye on making sure that all finished items make their way to a garbage can with a securely fitting lid your dog cannot remove.