October 16, 2024
BBQ Season
The sun is (almost) out in Lecale, and lots of you will be blowing the cobwebs off your barbecue in the hope of lighting it for one or two evenings this summer. Barbecues are very popular in this part of the world, in spite of the climate. It’s as if just lighting one will raise the ambient temperature on your patio by a few degrees. However, barbecues are very tempting not only to ourselves, but also our four legged friends. They are not without their dangers.
First off, the obvious one - burns. Barbecues are hot, and meat is often cooked on them. This could prove irresistible to a hungry Labrador. They are not used to this meat emporium in the back garden, and could get curious. So be aware and keep your dog away while the barbie is hot.
Bones and skewers. At the end of the meal, there are often discarded bones and skewers. Contrary to popular culture, bones can be difficult for dogs to eat. They can splinter and damage the oesophagus and stomach, particularly if your dog isn’t used to them. The same goes for skewers - the dog can be attracted to them by their contents and not realise that they are sharp.
Corn-on-the-cob may seem benign to us, but believe it or not can be lethal to dogs if it gets stuck in their stomach or gut. We have had to surgically remove many corn-on-the-cob leftovers from dogs. The same goes for tinfoil that has been used to wrap meat up. In addition, many of the ingredients used in barbecue entertaining can be toxic to dogs; e.g. garlic, onions, alcohol and chocolate.
Barbecue food is not noted for being low-calorie. The high fat content of the food can also have unpleasant side effects in dogs. A high fat diet can stimulate inflammation of the pancreas - pancreatitis in some breeds. This is a painful abdominal condition that can cause your dog to lose appetite and become depressed. It can be serious and is best diagnosed by a blood test at your vet. Hospitalisation may be necessary.
So, to sum up - have fun at your barbecue, but be aware of the risks to your pets. Dispose of all waste sensibly and remove temptation. Prevention is better than cure!
