A vet has urged pet owners to be careful during summer barbecues (stock image) (Image: Getty)
A veterinarian has shared important advice to any pet owners who are planning to enjoy a summer barbecue, as many might not realise it can come with various dangers for their pets. While barbecues can be enjoyed at any time of year, many will be spending many hours in their gardens this summer, enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures while cooking food outside, possibly with family and friends invited.
But now, one vet has issued urgent advice to all pet owners to think carefully before allowing their beloved animals anywhere near the festivities. While most people wouldn’t think twice about letting their cats or dogs join in the fun during a summer barbecue, many may be completely unaware of the hidden dangers such gatherings can pose to their pets. Taking to social media, a vet named Ben has shared some pressing advice for pet owners regarding what could happen if your dog becomes a little too interested in the food on offer.
“If you have a dog and you are having a barbecue, you need to be really careful about these wooden kebab sticks,” Ben said in his video. He went on to reveal that, shortly after qualifying as a vet, a cocker spaniel had been brought into his clinic with a firm lump on the back of its ribcage.
“Well, we didn’t really know what it was,” Ben said. “This dog was only, like, one, and we took a sample of the lump. It came back as just with inflammatory cells.”
The team proceeded to carry out an X-ray, yet were still unable to determine the root cause of the lump. They subsequently decided to refer the dog for a CT scan, which soon uncovered the alarming truth.
“This spaniel had swallowed an entire wooden kebab stick, which had penetrated the wall of the stomach,” Ben revealed. “And what the lump was was an inflammatory reaction around the tip of the kebab stick, which was skewering through the diaphragm.”
“Luckily, it avoided any major blood vessels or internal organs and was just poking out next to the ribs,” Ben added. Thankfully, the dog survived the ordeal after undergoing surgery to remove the stick and repair the resulting damage, with Ben confirming it had fully recovered.
Ben has now issued a warning to all pet owners to carefully consider what they’re cooking on the barbecue, stating: “If you have a dog like a spaniel or a Labrador, a dog that would eat anything, basically, then be careful.”
How to keep pets safe during a barbecue
While owning a pet shouldn’t prevent you from hosting a barbecue in your garden, there are several precautions you can take to ensure their safety. According to Vets Now, there are some simple adjustments you can do to help keep pets and humans happy during the barbecue.
Their first recommendation is to make sure your pets don’t get offered any food that would be unsafe for them to eat. While it’s easy to cave in when your pooch is giving your the puppy eyes, it’s highly urged to not give them any food that could harm them – such as cooked bones or things with alcohol in. Meat that’s covered in barbecue sauce is also a big no-no, as it contains onion powder, garlic, sugar, and sometimes xylitol, all of which are toxic to dogs.
Pet owners are also strongly urged to keep their animals well away from the barbecue itself, along with any hot equipment. As barbecues retain their heat for a considerable period after cooking has finished, you should cordon off the area to prevent any pets from getting too close, and never leave them unsupervised near hot food or equipment.
Animals should also not be allowed anywhere near the barbecue. You can surround it with a barrier, or simply keep your pet on a lead to keep them away.
Finally, they also recommend creating a safe space for your dog, such as a quiet room inside, where it can calm down and relax if it gets too excited or stressed. But make sure they don’t become trapped in conservatories or greenhouses, which can become excessively hot.