Barbecue Pet Safety

Do you enjoy grilling out? One great thing about life in the Sunshine State is the fact that we can enjoy barbeques pretty much all year. Many of our furry pals love to hang out with their humans at grillouts, collecting ear scritches and, of course, treats. Just put your pet’s safety first! Here, a Fort Myers, FL vet offers some tips on keeping your four-legged friend safe at barbeques.

Food

Food is one of the biggest concerns here. Your furry buddy may happily snap up anything that is offered to them. Unfortunately, many of the things you’ll find at the average grillout are toxic to pets. Meat on the bone is a big concern, particularly for dogs. Cooked bones snap very easily. This makes them huge choking hazards! Other foods to be careful of include garlic and onions; grapes, currants, and raisins; avocadoes (even as guacamole); chocolate; caffeine; raw dough; alcohol; raw meat; fat trimmings; and anything that contains xylitol.

Trash

Trash is another thing to be careful with. Fido sometimes goes through the garbage looking for leftovers. This can be very dangerous, as the trashcan could contain things like bones, can lids, skewers, fat trimmings, tin foil, and other hazards. Fluffy is less likely to go for the garbage, but she may jump onto the table and eat from abandoned plates. Pick up immediately after everyone has finished eating.

Parasites

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes may also show up for dinner. No one wants these uninvited guests around! Keep up with your fuzzy buddy’s parasite control regimen.

Comfort

Keep a close eye on your four-legged pal, and don’t let him get too hot. The most important thing here is to make sure that your pet has plenty of water. Fido should also have access to shade and/or rooms cooled by fans or air conditioners. As for Fluffy, we just recommend keeping her indoors. Kitties are much safer inside!

Chemicals

Lighter fluid, tiki oil, bug spray, and tanning lotion are all toxic to pets. Keep these out of paws’ reach!

Mishaps

Fido and Fluffy can both get into trouble if they are underfoot. Don’t let your pet get close to the grill! There’s also a chance that your furry bff could get stepped on, or slip out an open gate.

Contact us, your Fort Myers, FL veterinary clinic, anytime! We’re dedicated to offering top-notch veterinary care!