Having a barbecue can be a lot of fun. Whether it is just your family or extended family and friends, it is important to keep your pets safety in mind. Here are a few dog safety tips for a family barbecue:
By far, the most important tip is to keep your dog away from the barbecue grill. This holds true for children as well. Make sure your grill is away from where the dogs and kids play, as well as at least 10 feet away from the house. You wouldn’t want anyone to knock over the grill and hurt themselves or accidentally set something on fire.
Make sure your dog stays away from the food. Keep the food out of reach. Too much fatty foods that your dog is not used to eating can make them sick. And certain foods can be dangerous for your dogs to eat – food like chicken and pork bones, chocolate (like chocolate cupcakes and such), onions, and some nuts. Ask your guests not to give your dog any scraps. That can be difficult so perhaps put together a little dish of special dog treats that your guests can give them.
Also, make sure the young kids are not walking around with their food. Your dog may take the opportunity to steal it. Not only could your dog eat something bad for them, but accidental biting could also occur – not to mention how unhappy the child may be when the dog eats their ice cream cone!
Watch out for over-activity. A dog distracted by lots of fun and games may forget to drink water. Keep plenty of water available and check out our blog “Spring Water Safety for You and Your Dog” about how to look for signs of heat exhaustion.
Keep the kids toys picked up when not in use. Some toys can be chewed into small pieces and ingested by your dog. Intestinal blockage could occur which could lead to injury or death. Also, keep plates, plastic forks, cups, and other items you find at a barbecue away from the dogs. Keep basting brush, tongs, and fork out of reach. Even a dog who is not generally inclined to chew may be temped by these things. Be sure to put trash in a lidded trash can.
Have your dog wear sunscreen. If needed, put a little on their ears and nose to prevent sunburn. Make sure the sunscreen is non-toxic.
Have fun and keep safe!