Cookouts are the staple of summer. It is the time for good food, good friends, and good times. And the best part of summer time cookouts is that our family pets get to be a part of it as well. But, making sure that your pet is safe, is one of the most important parts of having a great time. Cookouts can quickly go from fun to bummer if your pet gets sick or lost.
Here are our top safety tips for cookouts this summer:
General pet safety tips
Whether you’re hosting the cookout or visiting a friend’s house, there are some things that need to be in order for a good time.
- Keep them away from abandoned plates and keep garbage locked up
- Make sure your pet stays hydrated and cool in the heat
- Update your pet’s tags and/or microchips
- Let guests know to avoid giving your dog table scraps
- Monitor interactions with children
- Keep fences and doors closed to avoid escape
- Monitor pet if they are tethered on a leash
- Secure pets in safe & cool places as needed
Foods to keep away from your pet
Everyone enjoys food at a cookout. I mean, that’s half the reason to get together with our loved ones, right? And while we may think our pets will enjoy the same delectable treats that we do, it’s not exactly true. In fact, vets see a huge influx of pets coming in for gastrointestinal distress this time of year. A lot of our foods are way too rich for our pets to digest and that is what causes their tummies to ache. Here are some of the top foods to keep away from your pets this summer.
- Greasy snacks
- Hot Dogs
- Food with bones
- Fruits (especially grapes, raisins and citrus)
- Desserts
- Corn on the cob
- Alcohol
Foods to your pet can enjoy at a cookout
But food is one of the main reasons we love a good cookout. So here is a great list of foods your pet can enjoy so they can feel a part of the party as well.
- Lean meat (grilled chicken without skin, lean burgers and steak)
- Fresh grilled veggies
- Homemade “Pupsicles”
- Sweet Potatoes
- Special wet foods from the store
We hope that everyone has a wonderful summer time with your family and friends. Enjoy your cookouts, your friends, family and pets, and most of all, stay safe!
We’d love to hear about what you thought about the experience. Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page!
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