Human Foods to Keep Away from Your Pooch at the BBQ

There's nothing like getting together with friends and family during the lazy, hazy days of summer and playing lawn games, consuming a few adult beverages and cooking out.

It's even better when dogs are included in these festivities because why? Because dogs are the best! They love splashing in kiddie pools, catching a frisbee and falling asleep under the picnic table. Make sure your pup doesn't get overheated and has plenty of fresh, cold water and they can have just as much fun as you do.

But there are some considerations to keep in mind, especially concerning family BBQs and the food that is served at them. PetHelpful spoke with Freshpet's expert vet, Dr. Aziza Glass, who gave us these tips to keep our dogs happy and safe at all of our summertime family get-togethers.

Do not feed your pet your food from the grill - fatty meats and scraps are not good for your dog as it can cause your dog GI Issues, leading to diseases like pancreatitis.

Although the meats themselves are not toxic to dogs, how they are seasoned and prepared for BBQ can be harmful to dogs and pets. This includes common grilled foods like chicken wings, which have small bones presenting a choking hazard, or ribs, which can be fatty and cause intestinal blockage if the bone is ingested.

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Some spices and cooking oils irritate the stomach and intestines leading to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Here are some other foods your dog should stay away from:

Grapes - toxic and should be avoided
Chicken Wings - small bones can choke dog
Dairy - too much dairy can lead to GI upset
Onions - toxic and should be avoided
Corn on the Cob - can cause intestinal obstructions
Leftover bones - can cause intestinal obstructions
Desserts - sugary treats can also cause GI upset

I think we can all agree that one way to ruin a summer gathering is to have a dog attend that is having GI upset. No thank you!

Dr. Glass also provided these other helpful tips for keeping your pup safe when it gets hot out.

Helpful General Tips to Protect your Pets at a BBQ

• Keep your pets away from grill's smoke - make sure they are downwind as the smoke can irritate their lungs

• Make sure your pets are a safe distance from the propane tanks, preventing them from knocking them over or causing serious damage

• Educate your guests on what your pet can and cannot eat. You can even have a bowl of treats/foods available for guests to give your pet to limit any confusion.

• Always have a source of shade and a clean source of fresh water available to your pet at all times when having fun in the summer heat. This will decrease the chances of your pet getting dehydrated and too hot, leading to heat stroke.

• If your pet has short hair or is considered hairless, don’t forget pet safe sunscreen

Your pets can experience BBQ foods too with Freshpet's Homestyle Creations Natural Beef or Freshpet's Homestyle Creations Natural Chicken patties! Fully cooked and gently steamed with no added preservatives!

Thanks to Freshpet and Dr. Glass for all these wonderful tips!

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