It’s sunny, the grill is fired up, and the backyard is buzzing with summer fun. While you're flipping burgers and enjoying a cold drink, your pets may be planning their own kind of backyard mischief.
Before your dog sneakily snags a hot dog or your cat investigates the sizzling grill, take a moment to brush up on some important BBQ safety tips!
You might be able to resist that plate of ribs, but your dog? Not so much. Many popular cookout foods are big no-nos for pets. Here are a few common offenders:
Dangerous Foods:
Safe Snacks:
See more from ASPCA about foods to avoid feeding your pets.
The smell of sizzling meat is practically irresistible to pets—but a curious nose near a hot grill can lead to burns or worse. Be sure to:
Bonus tip: Use a baby gate or exercise pen if your pup insists on being part of the grill team.
Dogs have a sixth sense for tracking down trash—and cookout leftovers are prime targets. Bones, skewers, foil, and plastic wrap can all pose serious hazards if ingested.
Pro tip: Use lidded trash bins and take the garbage out as soon as the party wraps up.
With guests coming and going, it's easy for a pet to slip out an open gate or door. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date ID tags and that their microchip info is current just in case they try to make a break for it to see what the neighbors are cooking.
Summer fun can heat up fast. Offer shady spots and plenty of fresh water, and be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion like excessive panting, drooling, or weakness. Never leave pets in a hot car—even for a minute.
Have a pet emergency this summer? Give us a call at (402) 520-7492. We’re here to help keep your pets safe, happy, and tail-wagging when it matters most!
