Keeping Dogs Safe During Barbeques: A Pooch’s Point of View!

Is that the delicious scent of sizzling sausage I can detect in the summer breeze? And juicy burgers that are setting my tastebuds watering? And is that... I think it is... the wondrous allure of grilled sirloin steak?!

All these mouth-watering aromas floating in the air can only mean one thing: barbeque season is back! And that means a whole world of potentially dangerous temptations. So, let’s slow things down, as a BBQ can spell trouble for us pooches if we’re not careful. 

That’s right, I’m going to be your canine guide as we talk through all things on dog barbeque safety.

The Dangers of BBQ Food for Dogs

Let’s sniff around the topic of food first. As any self-respecting dog will tell you, our noses go wild with those aromas coming from the grill. After all, our sense of smell is many, many times stronger than a human’s, so it’s hard to resist! But did you know that barbeques are a huge source of dangerous foods for dogs?

Barbeque and party foods like onions, grapes, and chocolate are all toxic to us, as are alcohol and many sauces. And meat on the bone and corn-on-the-cobs you love? They can be choking hazards or cause blockages in our digestive system – not fun, I assure you. And I haven’t even gotten started on those sneaky skewers. Imagine wolfing down a scrumptious kebab you’ve snagged from the table while no one was looking only to swallow the pointy stick too!

The solution? Well, first of all, if you see me munching on anything suspicious then you should contact the vet immediately. When it comes to us dogs at a barbeque, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Otherwise, follow this dog barbeque safety advice:

1. Don’t let us dogs get close to the barbeque – Try to set up your BBQ in a secluded part of your garden and away from activities, using barriers if needed. Likewise, guests should be reminded to keep their plates out of reach of our inquiring noses.
2. Keep the lid of the barbeque closed – Once you’re done cooking, it’s best to close the BBQ lid, just in case one of us pooches feels like jumping up only to discover a hot surprise.
3. Supervise the barbeque – Hopefully, this one goes without saying. But in the interests of dog barbeque safety, I’ll say it anyway. Pay attention to the BBQ at all times as us canines can certainly be resourceful whenever any delicious food is around!
4. Clean up any spillages – Believe me when I say I will happily eat anything I can get my paws on. Undercooked or fatty foods? Sure, even if these dangerous foods for dogs do upset my digestive system. Alcohol or sugar-free drinks? There’s no way of knowing they’re harmful until I’ve given them a taste. Scalding hot food? Sometimes I’m just too impatient to wait for it to cool down! Broken glass, bones, and packaging should all be cleared away too.
5. Allow the coals to cool – Coals can take a very long time to cool down, so don’t let me come in contact with them for at least 48 hours. Dispose of them as soon as possible or practical.
6. Don’t dispose of hot coals on the floor – The floor is where I spend most of my time. To prevent any burnt paws, dispose of the BBQ coals in a bucket of water to cool them down instead.
7. Distractions! – If you’ve noticed me or any of my canine pals showing a little too much interest in the BBQ, it’s time to get creative. Keep some toys or rewards to hand as they can easily be used to divert my attention. Puzzle or activity feeders can be great too.

If you suspect your dog might get worried by everything going on, you could also try ThunderShirt. This calming vest for dogs is great for helping us to feel relaxed and I personally never head to the barbeque without it! It’s simple to put on and, best of all, begins calming me down immediately. For the best results though, slip it on before your visitors arrive to keep me at ease.

Keeping Cool

Of course, there’s a good reason why barbeque season happens to coincide with summer: it’s the best time of year to be outside! But while I love sunbathing as much as any pooch, dogs in hot weather need a cool spot to chill. Make sure there’s plenty of shade and water at your BBQ, and if it’s really hot, how about tossing me an ice-cold treat?

Be Aware of BBQs When Out & About

So, we’ve covered the main hazards of barbeques for dogs in the garden, but what if we encounter any flaming grills while at the park, the river, or the beach? There’s no knowing when we may stumble across a barbeque when out and about, so best to play it safe. Keep us on our leads and out of harm’s way as much as possible. 

And, for that matter, prevent us from disrupting other people while they enjoy their own barbeques! Us dogs don’t follow your human social etiquette. If I catch the scent of some delicious sausages and you’re not there to stop me, I’m going to find it very difficult to avoid devouring whatever I can reach. And no one wants that, do they? 

Well, except for me, of course. I want all the sausages. I just can’t help myself!

Do you have a summer barbeque coming up? Remember to keep the area safe, watch out for those dangerous foods for dogs, and don’t forget to snap a few pictures! We love hearing about all your canine adventures so why not share the photos with us when you’re done? You can also check out all our other blogs for further advice, such as how to keep your pooch cool in summer, or else sign up to our newsletter for the latest ThunderShirt info!