Summer Cookout Pet Safety: Beware of Grill Grazers
Summer cookouts are a beloved tradition for many families, but they can pose potential risks to our furry companions. As a veterinary practice, we understand the importance of ensuring our pets' safety and well-being during these festive gatherings. Here are some essential tips to keep your furry friends safe and happy during summer cookouts.
Secure the Area
Before the cookout begins, it's crucial to secure the area and create a pet-friendly zone. With many people coming and going during a cookout, it's easy for pets to slip out unnoticed. Ensure that your yard or outdoor space is properly fenced or gated to prevent your pets from wandering off or encountering potential hazards. If possible, designate a shaded area with fresh water and comfortable bedding for your pets to retreat to when needed. The AKC would agree.
Keep Food and Drinks Out of Reach
Many human foods and beverages can be harmful or even toxic to pets. Some pets are skilled food snatchers! Keep all food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, out of reach of your pets. Provide pets with engaging chew toys stuffed with treats to keep them occupied away from the food prep areas. Remind guests not to feed your pets any table scraps or leftovers, as they may contain ingredients that can cause digestive issues or even pancreatitis.
Remind guests not to slip pets any:
Cooked bones: Bones from grilled meats like ribs, chicken, or steak can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries if swallowed by dogs.
Corn on the cob: The cob can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed by dogs.
Onions and garlic: These are toxic to dogs and cats and can cause anemia.
Grapes and raisins: These are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.
Fatty meats and foods: Things like hot dogs, hamburgers, and fatty trimmings can cause pancreatitis and diarrhea in pets.
Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages should be kept away from pets as they can cause intoxication, coma, or even death.
Chocolate: This is toxic to both dogs and cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, heart problems and death.
Salty snacks: Excess salt can lead to dehydration and sodium poisoning in pets.
Raw or undercooked meat: This can contain harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella.
Corn cobs, fruit pits, and skewers: These pose choking hazards or can cause intestinal blockages.
Grill Safety
Pets are naturally curious and may be drawn to the enticing smells and activity around the hot grill, so watch out for grill grazers. Grills can be a significant hazard for pets. Secure the grill area with pet gates or keep pets inside when cooking to prevent burns or accidental ingestion of hot coals or grill debris. Additionally, be cautious of matches, lighter fluid, citronella products, and skewers which could cause injuries if chewed on and should remain out of reach of curious pets.
Provide Shade and Water
During hot summer days, it's essential to provide your pets with ample shade and fresh water. Ensure that their water bowls are filled with cool, clean water and placed in a shaded area. Consider setting up a kiddie pool or sprinkler for your pets to cool off and stay hydrated. Just like humans, pets can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke on hot summer days. If untreated, heat stroke can be fatal in pets, so know the signs and what to do if you suspect anything.
Noise and Crowd Awareness
Some pets may become anxious or stressed in crowded environments or with loud noises, such as fireworks or music. If your pet is prone to anxiety, consider keeping them in a quiet, secure area during the cookout. We have previously provided other tips here (will link to the fireworks article here) and, if you have time to prepare, we have details for noise phobia training here.
Protect Against Parasites
Florida's warm climate means increased insect activity. Mosquitoes and ticks thrive in it, putting your pets at risk for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and other vector-borne illnesses. Keep your pets on year-round preventative medications and check them regularly for ticks after outdoor activities.
Pool Safety
If your cookout includes a pool, closely supervise your pets around the water. Not all pets are strong swimmers, and they can easily become disoriented or exhausted trying to exit the pool. Consider keeping them away from the pool area or providing a life jacket if they'll be swimming.
Identification and Microchips
Ensure that your pets are wearing proper identification, such as collars with up-to-date tags or microchips, in case they accidentally escape during the cookout. This will increase the chances of them being safely returned to you if they wander off or go running off if they become startled by loud noises or unfamiliar guests.
Supervise and Monitor
Throughout the cookout, it's essential to supervise and monitor your pets closely. Assign a responsible person to keep an eye on them and ensure they are not ingesting anything harmful or getting into potentially dangerous situations.
By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your pets stay safe while enjoying Florida's summer cookout season. If you notice any signs of distress or illness in your pet during or after a cookout, don't hesitate to contact us. If it is outside of our business hours, remember that we do have options for After Hours Emergencies.
