22/07/2026
๐๐ญ Summer BBQs Are Great Fun... But They Can Be Risky for Pets! ๐ถ๐ฑ
With BBQ season in full swing, it's worth remembering that many of our favourite summer treats can be dangerous for our four-legged friends.
๐ซ Foods and items to keep well out of reach include:
๐ฝ Corn cobs โ Even if all the corn has been eaten, the cob can cause a serious blockage in your dog's stomach or intestines and may require emergency surgery.
๐ข Skewers โ Wooden or metal skewers can splinter or puncture the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines if swallowed.
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Onions โ Whether raw, cooked, fried, or powdered, onions are toxic to dogs and cats and can damage their red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
๐ Grapes and raisins โ Even small amounts can cause kidney failure in some dogs, although we don't fully understand why.
๐บ Alcohol โ Pets are much more sensitive to alcohol than people. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, breathing difficulties, seizures, and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
๐ซ Chocolate โ Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous.
๐ฆด Cooked bones โ Unlike raw bones, cooked bones can splinter easily, causing choking, mouth injuries, or damage to the digestive tract.
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Top BBQ safety tips:
โข Keep food and drinks out of your pet's reach.
โข Ask guests not to feed pets from the table.
โข Secure rubbish bags and food wasteโdogs are experts at finding leftovers!
โข Provide your pet with their own treats or enrichment so they don't feel left out.
If you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn't, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Contact us as soon as possible for advice, as early treatment can make a real difference.
We hope you and your pets enjoy a safe, happy summer! โ๏ธ๐พ