When the weather is beautiful we all think about getting together with our friends and family. And why not? After all, we all love a good cookout. You can enjoy a beautiful day, eat good food and our fur-friends can come along too! However, you do want to make sure that they stay safe during these occasions. Our canine companions can tend to get into mischief, especially at cookouts. 

Karla’s Pet Care’s  Top Cookout Safety Tips

There are some things that need to be considered in order to make sure everyone has a good time.

• Keep dogs away from plates of food left out
• Keep garbage locked up or far away from pets
• 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 their interactions with children
• Keep fences and doors closed to avoid escape
• Keep an eye on your pet if they are tethered on a leash, they can easily get tangled up
• Secure pets in safe & cool places as needed
• Watch for signs of overheating or heatstroke

 

Foods TO AVOID:

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 actually see far more 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 YOUR PET CAN ENJOY:

After all, 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

With these simple tips to consider before you plan your fun and food-filled party, you and your pet are sure to have a great time! We all want to have fun this spring and summer!

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Related Topics:

• 10 Ways to Keep Your Pet Cool in Hot Weather
• April is Pet’s First Aid Awareness Month – Learn the Basics You Need to Know
• Helping Your Dog Beat the Heat This Summer