BBQ and hot weather safety tips
Written by
Carolanne Cicero RVN
May 28, 2024
With the summer months upon us our team of Registered Vet Nurses offer these top tips for hot weather and BBQ safety.
Tips for when it gets warm:
- Make sure there is always adequate water for your pet to drink.
- Provide adequate ventilation in enclosed areas where they may be – whether it’s a dog house or a bedroom.
- Be aware of how hot the pavement is. If it feels hot for you to touch then it could be painful for your dog to walk on
- Watch out for early signs of heat-stroke – heavy panting, restlessness and lack of coordination
- Avoid exercising dogs in the heat of the day. Walk your dog in the morning and late evening to avoid the chance of overheating or burnt paws.
- If any heat related condition is suspected, pets should be taken to a cool place and given water to drink whilst seeking advice. Where possible, cool (not cold) water should be poured over the body.
- Make sure flea and tick treatments are up to date – parasites love the warmer weather!
- Do not leave your dog in the car unattended for any amount of time, even in the shade. Heat can build to unbearable levels quickly in cars, even with the windows open.
Barbeques are also popular over the summer months and enjoyable for all the family. However, we need to be aware of the potential dangers to pets.
Top Tips for BBQ safety:
- Politely ask your guests not to feed your pets. Greasy burgers, sausages etc. could cause digestive upsets and more serious conditions like pancreatitis.
- Barbeque food gets very hot so keep a close eye on your pet. They may be tempted to jump up and snatch a sausage or burger straight from the barbeque. They can also cause harm to themselves from the barbeque itself.
- Keep rubbish in a secure container or move bags out of reach. This will prevent pets from eating scraps or food that has spoiled in the sun.
- Corn on the cob’s can be particularly dangerous, especially when they are swallowed whole. They do not digest and can cause major problems which may require surgery to remove.
- Kebab skewers are a known danger at BBQ’s. If ingested they can pierce through the soft tissues in the body, requiring significant surgery to remove safely.
