Keep your Dog BBQ Safe

BBQ’s are a wonderful way to celebrate long summer days and nights. When planning, think about keeping your Dog BBQ safe too. There a a few things to be mindful of so I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 tips rom research on the web:

The Food

1. The food itself! Keep your Dog BBQ safe by thinking about ingredients. Check the food labels. Many BBQ recipes contain things like onion and garlic which are harmful to a dogs digestive system. Also cooked bones a huge ‘no-no’ to your Dogs too. Try not to leave food out as it’s prepared in case your Dog finds it too tempting want want to do a ‘fly-by’ on the table or even the BBQ itself. Over fatty or undercooked food will make your dog extremely ill. Fish bones, and cooked animal bones are extremely dangerous and very tempting all in one go. Corn on the Cob is another item just waiting to make your Dog poorly.
2. Leftovers! Not just the meaty kind either. Many things can be harmful to your Dog. One Vet at VetsNow sums up the situation “…You should keep potentially dangerous human food out of your pet’s reach. Skewers, corn on the cob and bones can be particularly hazardous as can any, heavily seasoned or spicy foods. Ensure that you dispose of any food waste responsibly and secure any bins that contain potentially dangerous or toxic items.” 
3. Caffeine, Xylitol, Aspartame and Alcohol. All of those ingredients will make your Dog very poorly indeed. it wont take long for the effects to kick in either. Be aware of drinks being left lying around and although as a rule, dogs don’t find alcohol overly appealing, if the drink has a sweet element to it, they might become curious. Sugar free alternatives in fizzy drinks are poisonous too.

The BBQ area itself

1. Keep your dog BBQ safe by using a Cordon or free standing barrier around the BBQ area itself. Not all dogs are afraid of a gas or coal-based fire. If the smell of food is too much for them, there have been reports of Vets having to deal with the consequences.
2. Guests! Keep your dog BBQ safe not because your friends are a danger but them wanting to feed your Dog titbits or leaving their plate and cutlery lying around is not great, no matter how much those doggie eyes are pleading. Make them aware of how they can help by creating a space in the home for items that are finished with. Maybe a specific outdoor bin to hand, for those disposable plates and leftovers that is easy to move from temptation. Even better, ‘Wow!’ them with your hosting prowess and be sure to clear up after them when you or they have finished.
3. Heat! Not just from the coals and BBQ but strong chances are you’ll be having a BBQ on a warm or sunny day. Be aware that the smells and excitement of food being cooked outside will entice your Dog away from the Shade or cooler surfaces. If you’re at all unsure, keep your Pet locked inside so that you can relax and get on with the cooking.
4. You’ve finished? The BBQ hasn’t! Keep the BBQ away from free ranging dogs until it is fully cool. Dogs can get severs scalding from hot surfaces on their tongues or paws so don’t risk it.

The ‘bigger picture’

1. Excitement, frustration or stress from all the pre and post BBQ activity, can cause many pets to demonstrate behaviour that may be undesirable. Help them make the right choices and think about their emotional needs by providing a den or area where they can escape to or just keep them inside, in a quiet area, away from all the comings, goings and raised voices.
2. Do Plan ahead. I don’t mean with as much detail as a military operation but think ahead of how you can make your family and fur family members enjoy and manage the situation. Make younger members aware of how a change of routine might alarm or over excite your Dog. Think of the above points and have a good idea of where you can have things out of harms way so you can get on and relax and enjoy the outdoor cooking, rather then be faced with unexpected costs.
3. Watch for BBQ’s when out and about. Yep, that stroll through the park or visit to the beach could hold a hidden danger for your Dog. Dogs are genetic scavengers and when their nose tells them there is something tempting to find, it proves hard to resist for many dogs. Be aware of other peoples waste left by uncaring and inconsiderate outdoor users. Be aware of any overflowing bins that the council may not have emptied. Mouldy food is also very poison out to dogs. A condition called Mycotoxicosis (poisoning from products contaminated by fungi) is fatal. Also, hidden dangers like cooked bones, fish bones and unknown, sweet smelling sauces could trigger a hefty Vets bill.