A leading vet has issued a warning to pet owners to be extremely vigilant during BBQ season, as the popular summer dining tradition can prove fatal for dogs and cats.
Providing emergency care for pets when they need it most, Vets Now,saw over 66,000 emergency cases last summer*, with hundreds of cases caused by barbecue-related incidents.
Dave Leicester, Head of Telehealth at Vets Now, said: “Barbecues are a popular treat for the summer season, but they can pose life-threatening risks for pets. Many things pose a big risk, including the types of food as well as sharp kebab sticks, food packaging, burning charcoal, and scraps.”
“We’ve seen pets in near-fatal conditions due to incidents at a barbecue and we worry the numbers could continue to rise with warmer weather encouraging outdoor cooking. It is possible to enjoy a barbecue safely with pets around, but owners need to know the risks and how to prevent accidents occurring.”
To avoid your pets coming into harm this summer, Dave has put together the following five tips:
Limit a pet’s access to party food
Corn on the cob may be a popular choice at barbecues but it doesn’t digest in a dog’s stomach. It’s likely to cause a blockage and a possible perforation if left to make its way through the intestines. Corn is fine when removed from the cob, so don’t be alarmed if they eat the kernels on their own.
A slice of cheese is a staple for a barbecue burger, but dairy can be problematic for cats as they are often dairy-intolerant, and consumption may lead to vomiting and diarrhoea.
Fatty foods and undercooked foods can also upset your pet’s stomach and lead to a fatal blockage if lodged in their stomach or intestines.
All forms of onion are particularly toxic for dogs and cats and signs of poisoning often only occur a few days after they have eaten the vegetable. Consuming onions can cause stomach and gut irritation and potentially lead to red blood cell damage and anaemia.
Alcohol is far more toxic for dogs than humans and even the smallest amount can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, blood changes, coma and even death.
Try to keep all of these foods and beverages out of reach of your pet and remain vigilant at all times. It may be worth giving your pet some treats or a toy to keep them occupied.
Keep rubbish out of reach
Kebab skewers can be very dangerous if pets swallow them. Vets Now has seen cases of dogs needing lifesaving treatment after consuming the utensil.
Meat bones, such as chicken bones, can splinter and puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
Foil can also pose a risk if ingested so make sure you are clearing away all food wrappers, skewers and bones and keeping the rubbish out of reach of your pets. Don’t leave anything laying around for them to find.
Tell guests to not feed your pets
We know pets beg for treats but it’s important to stand firm when it comes to offering scraps from the barbecue. Making the area a no-treat zone could discourage your dog or cat from hanging around and inadvertently placing themselves in further danger.
For peace of mind, try making your barbecue menu as pet friendly as possible with the following foods:
- Lean meat and chicken without the skin in small amounts, but not if spiced or heavily
- seasoned
- Grilled veg – broccoli, carrot, bell peppers, sweet potato as long as they are cooked low fat and not heavily seasoned
- Jacket potatoes
- Fruit – watermelon (ideally seedless), banana, blueberries, sliced apple, strawberries,
- orange, mango, pineapple. Always remove seeds, skin and rinds and be careful with high sugar fruits and only offer small amounts
- Hard boiled eggs
Try to avoid the following:
- Fatty meat, burgers, sausages, kebabs, chicken skin, any meat that has been highly seasoned or spiced or marinated in oils
- Bones – cooked bones are especially risky
- Anything on a skewer
- Grapes, raisins, sultanas, salty snacks like crisps and salted nuts, macadamia nuts
- Garlic, onion, chives
Ensure they stay out of the sun
Parties can be a very busy time and it’s easy to get distracted. Ensure your dog doesn’t wander off alone as this could cause them to get lost or stumble across a busy road and suffer an accident.
Dogs and cats may get very stressed with all the noise so try to offer a quiet room that they can relax in. Fill it with a familiar scent as they may feel anxious due to the new faces and scents. Also ensure your cats and dogs don’t become accidentally locked in a shed or greenhouse during the barbecue as they can easily overheat in the summer weather.
Be aware of the plants and pests in your garden
Vets Now saw over 400 cases of bee and wasp stings in pets last year. The summer pests’ stings can cause an allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock or even death.
Certain plants are also poisonous to cats and dogs when consumed so educate yourself on what’s growing in your garden and avoid planting anything that could prove a risk.
If you are worried your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t or is struggling with a sting or allergic reaction, contact your vet or your nearest emergency vet for advice.
For more advice and information or to find your nearest Vets Now emergency services, visit the Vets Now website, with a new hub full of helpful info to keep pets safe during the summer season, https://www.vets-now.com/summer/.
