Animal expert and Vet, Dr Joanna Woodnutt MRCVS, is warning UK pet owners of the potential dangers of barbeque season.
From eating onions to drumstick bones, experts at TrustedHousesitters have worked with Dr Joanna to determine the biggest risks and the best safety precautions.
With 62% of UK households owning a pet and three in four households owning a barbeque, threats to pet safety are more prevalent as we approach summer and barbeque season. To keep your pets safe, here are four things pet owners should keep away from their pets:
Onions and garlic
Onions, shallots and garlic all come from a group of plants in the Allium family, which are toxic to cats and dogs. If ingested, symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, and a low appetite. Allium toxicity in dogs also causes damage to red blood cells and these effects are cumulative – so a small amount eaten regularly can be just as harmful as gorging several onions! Sausages and burgers can often contain traces of onions and garlic, so contrary to belief, you should prevent your pet from eating these too.
Corn on the cob
Sweetcorn itself is not a danger to your pet. However, the inner cob is not digestible and because of the size and shape it can get lodged in the guts, causing an intestinal obstruction. This causes vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal pain that can become fatal if the cob is not surgically removed. Every summer, vets have to operate on dogs to remove foreign bodies caused by corn on the cob.
Bones
When your dog is giving you puppy eyes as you finish your drumstick, it’s easy to throw them the bone, but this can be very dangerous for your furry friend. Cooked bones can easily splinter, causing damage to the gut and mouth. They can also lodge in the intestines and cause a blockage, just like corn on the cob!
Skewer sticks
It goes without saying that if your pet chews or swallows a skewer stick, the wood or metal can cause serious damage to their insides. Be wary of leaving any barbecued kebabs around, as the meat will be enticing but won’t harm them, however the skewer can pose a serious threat. Dogs especially are likely to just swallow the whole thing, so keep them out of the way and make sure you have an eye on what your pet has sniffed out!
Dr Joanna tells of an incident she had with a dog around barbeque season:
“A lot of people think they’re doing their dog a favour when they let them have barbeque food, but that’s not always the case. Barbeque food is often very fatty, and one of the worst cases of pancreatitis I’ve seen was in a dog that had been allowed to finish up some of the scraps from human food at a party. Thankfully, the dog survived, but it was touch-and-go for a while!”
If you suspect your pet has swallowed any toxic foods or items, it’s important that you consult your vet straight away.
Barbeque season doesn’t have to be something your furry friend misses out on. Dr Joanna, has provided the following tips to keep your pet safe this summer:
- Let them enjoy the safe barbeque foods! Small amounts of lean grilled meat, fish and most vegetables are all safe for your pet.
- Give your pet plenty of time in the shade. It’s likely that the excitement of a summer barbeque outside will make your pet want to join in the fun, but making sure they spend time indoors or in the shade will protect them from overheating and becoming dehydrated.
- In extreme high heats, add ice to your pet’s water to keep their body temperature down. Frozen ‘ice lollies’ (made by freezing pet food in water) are another fun way to help your pet stay cool
- Keep any barbeque cast-offs well out of your pet’s reach. A pet-proof bin is usually a good idea!
- Watch out for hot barbeque coals, as pets may not realise the danger. This especially applies to low fire pits and fire bowls that larger dogs may run into, or an unattended (but hot) barbeque that cats might climb onto in the hope of a tasty morsel.
Angela Laws, Head of Community at TrustedHousesitters, who is also a pet sitter with 14 years of experience, comments: “While summer is a time for people to gather and spend time outdoors, keep a close eye on your furry friend, especially when away from home, and take extra care that any treats are safe and pet-friendly. If you do notice any strange symptoms, keep a close eye on your pet and get straight in touch with a vet for expert advice.”
For more information, go to: www.TrustedHousesitters.com
