Cooking al fresco could be bad for your pets, warns the PDSA
The bank holiday weekend is upon us and, weather permitting, many of us will be outdoors enjoying a barbecue with family and friends. However, vet charity PDSA is warning pet owners should take extra precautions to ensure their furry friends stay safe while cooking al fresco.
“It’s nice to invite friends and family round for some food and, if the weather is good, sit outside in the garden with the barbecue going,” says PDSA vet Rebecca Ashman.
“It’s also great to spend time with our pets and for them to get some fuss and attention too.
“However, it’s important to take a few special precautions when pets are around barbecues to avoid disaster.”
Sadly, every year vets see pets with injuries directly associated with barbecues.
“Pets are brought in having swallowed objects such as corn on the cob cores, suffering from burns if they’ve gotten too close to the barbecue, and can also come in because of heat stroke in the hot weather,” says Rebecca.
By taking a few simple precautions, owners can ensure pets enjoy the occasion as much as they do.
Skip the scraps – eating barbecue leftovers can upset your pet’s stomach. Undercooked, unfamiliar or fatty food can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Bin it – make sure that any leftover food and rubbish is securely and safely thrown away in a lidded dustbin well away from pets.
A common barbecue-related problem seen by vets is pets which have eaten corn on the cob cores. These can cause a serious intestinal blockage and have to be surgically removed. Kebab skewers are also a common hazard, which can cause severe internal injuries if they are swallowed by a pet.
Don’t be a ‘fuel’ – lighter fluid can be dangerous. So keep it well out of the reach of your pets.
Flamin’ hot – accidents near a barbecue can lead to severe burns, so pets should be kept well away from flames, burning embers and hot ash.
Always make sure that the BBQ is cooled down quickly after use and never leave pets unattended while it is still hot.
Keep them cool – pets can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke just the same as humans can, so if you’re enjoying the sunshine, ensure that your four-legged friends have access to shade and plenty of fresh water.
Pet sun creams should be used on areas of your pet’s body which have no hair or on areas of patchy white fur where pink skin is exposed – your vet can advise you about this.