Bethel Veterinarian Offers 5 Hidden Dangers for Your Pet Lurking at Summer BBQs
Now that summer is here, it's all about the outdoors. Summer barbeques can spell disaster to you and your pet if you're not careful.
Dr. James McNamara owner of Bethel Veterinary Hospital in Bethel, CT, offers some words of wisdom and advice on how to keep your pets safe through your summer fun.
- 1
Corn on the cob
Be careful with corn cobs, they can be a buttery, tasty and deadly plug for the intestine because it is indigestible. Peach pits are also a dangerous threat. While neither are toxic, they can cause a block in the intestines.
- 2
Sugar Free Candy & Chocolate
Sugar free candy and chocolate are toxic. Don't let picnickers leave their treats willy nilly (Dr. Jim's words, not mine, I would have said something like "Make sure you don't invite idiots who will feed your pet stuff without asking" but that's just me.)
- 3
Baked Good Containing Xylitol
This natural sugar substitute is highly toxic to dogs and can cause liver failure.
- 4
Dogs and Burgers
High fat foods as handouts by guests to pets like hot dogs and burgers can cause vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis. Discourage Uncle Louie and Cousin Vinny from feeding their petatives.
- 5
Grapes
Grapes and raisins can be deadly so make sure they are not made available to your dog. Oatmeal raisin cookies, fruit salads, anything containing grapes or raisins pose a threat.