What’s a pet owner to do to keep their pets healthy? We have some great pet safety tips from Dr. Katy Nelson, aka “Dr. Pawz,” to share with you!
Although many people may have put away their grills by now, in our neck of the woods, the weather is just getting perfect for outdoor dinners on the barbecue. The temperatures have finally dropped into a comfortable 60-70 degrees in the evening, which means we get to light up the outdoor fireplace and enjoy dinner while the sun sets. We have a good number of bats in our backyard and nothing is more spectacular than watching them swoop down from the trees with a glorious peachy-pink sunset glowing behind them.
And after a nice long summer, nothing says Autumn like being bundled up in sweatshirts and jeans while hanging outside with your kids. Our fur-kids are also enjoying the cooler temperatures. Many times, while we sit outside in the summer, the dogs come out for a little bit, but then they quickly head back inside to escape the hot and humid heat. Although we understand their need to be by the air conditioner, we also miss their presence at the family table.
This summer, my sister got a new puppy. As dog lovers everywhere know – new puppies are so much fun to be around, but they really are like little children. So during our family barbecues (where dogs are always welcome!), we had to be extra cautious when grilling outside.
The little whippersnapper was always under our feet, by the grill, waiting for a tasty morsel or two to fall off the grates and magically tumble into her mouth. As much as we would have loved to share our meals with her, we know that some of the things we eat can really wreck havoc on a pet’s stomach, especially a puppy’s little tummy.
According to the ASPCA, “human foods” rank as the fifth most common pet toxin of 2014; ingesting human foods can be life-threatening for pets (especially dogs) and in the same year the ASPCA call center experienced as many as 13,200 cases pertaining to human food.
So what’s a pet owner to do in order to keep their pets healthy throughout the grilling season? Well lucky for us – we have some great tips from Certified Veterinary Journalist Dr. Katy Nelson, aka “Dr. Pawz,” to share with you!
PET SAFETY TIPS FOR GRILLING OUTDOORS
1.) Keep the grill clean.
Grease and juice drippings left in the bottom of the grill catch can be hard for pets to resist. Ensure active grills are never left unattended and are regularly cleaned afterward to avoid temptation and potential pet stomach upset.
2.) Keep the trash canned.
Never leave bags of grilling leftovers unattended. Steak bones, greasy tin foil and buttery corn cobs are all too tempting for even the most disciplined pooches.
3.) Banish bites from the table.
Common ingredients found in our favorite summer dishes such as garlic, onion and onion powder can be dangerous for pets. Opt for a tasty treat made specifically for dogs like Nudges Grillers and Nudges Sizzlers. (The newest offerings from Tyson Pet Products, these treats allow pet parents to include their dogs in the grilling festivities without harming their gastrointestinal system.)
Do you have any other tips you’d like to share with us? Leave them in the comments section below!
Give your dog a smooch!
Denine
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Nudges Wholesome Dog Treats.
