Summer is right around the corner, which means long, hot days and of course, plenty of BBQs!
Whilst there’s nothing better than a BBQ with family and friends, the delicious food and hot grill can be potentially life threatening for our cats and dogs.
Here is some advice for making sure everyone, including your pets, has fun when the BBQ comes out…
Don’t give into the puppy dog eyes
Undercooked or overly fatty foods can make your pets very sick, so don’t give into the those begging eyes. Cooked bones are also particularly dangerous as they can splinter and cause internal damage. Instead, give them their own tasty chews and treats to enjoy whilst you sit down to eat.
Bin the leftovers
Everyone knows that pets are opportunists and will try and munch on anything you leave lying around. Things like skewer sticks and cores from corn on the cobs can be extremely dangerous when ingested and potentially life threatening.
Make sure all leftovers and rubbish are tidied away promptly into a secure bin that hungry pets can’t break into when your back is turned.
Hot stuff
Burning coals, wire racks, utensils and hot food– all can cause serious burns to your pet if they get too close. Make sure you supervise your pets at all times when they are around the BBQ area to ensure they don’t get too close and cause themselves serious injury.
Avoid the smoke
Coal fires create a lot of smoke when they’re first lit, which can be irritating to our pets if they breath in too much. So, make sure they’re not down wind when the BBQ is smoking or keep them inside until it dies down.
Keep it cool
Us humans love soaking up the sun, but our furry friends? Not so much. Cats and dogs can overheat very quickly in the hot summer sun so its important to keep an eye on them for sizes of heat exhaustion such as excessive panting and excessive saliva. Make sure there’s plenty of shade and drinking water available and if necessary, keep your pets inside until it cools down.
Slap on the sun cream
Did you know our pets can get sunburnt too? If your pet has white fur, fur that’s thin or patchy or exposed pink skin like around the tips or their ears, its recommended you slather on the sun cream. Your vet will be able to recommend a brand that is pet safe.
Time to de-stress
Having a house full of people can be a bit stressful for your pets, especially after lockdown when they won’t have experienced visitors for a long time.
Look out for signs that that they’re feeling overwhelmed by the loud noises, new smells and extra people and make sure there is a quiet space inside your home for your pets to go if they need to be alone.
