Dogs and barbecues: A potentially dangerous mix

Photo: tiverylucky/Adobe Stock

While barbecues can be fun, it is important to alert dog owners of the risks these summer events can carry for canine companions. In a recent release of a trulnsights report, a data initiative by Trupanion that provides health-related data and insights, Trupanion shared the potential dangers barbecues can bring to pets.

With barbecue season comes the risks of choking and toxicity for pets. Cooked animal bones can splinter when chewed by the pet, posing a choking hazard for these animal companions. These bones can also puncture the intestines or become lodged in them and can also cause to gastrointestinal issues.

Meanwhile, raw bones carry their own risks due to possible bacterial contamination, such as salmonella. Moreover, spices used on barbecued meats can also upset a pet's stomach and potentially cause conditions like pancreatitis.

Stephen Rose, BVSc (Hons1) M Infotech CVA ACVCHM, Trupanion general manager emphasized the potential dangers that various items found at barbecues can pose to pets in a news release. “There are plenty of things at barbecues many people would never even think of as being dangerous that curious pets can get into: kabab skewers, corn on the cob, fruit salad, onion, garlic, avocado, and even aluminum foil, just to name a few,” he said.

Rose explained that even hot dogs and hamburgers can also cause stomach upset or pancreatitis in animal companions. “It’s important to keep pets secured and away from areas where food is being cooked and eaten during barbecue gatherings, and don't feed your pets off your plates,” he said.¹

Pancreatitis frequently affects dogs. Clinical signs include nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and decreased appetite, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. During a pancreatitis attack, dogs may assume a 'praying position', where they lift their rear end up in the air while lowering their front legs and head onto the floor. In severe cases, this can lead to acute shock, severe depression, and even death.²

Effective management depends on timely diagnosis and immediate medical intervention. For mild, edematous pancreatitis, treatment involves providing supportive care to allow the pancreas time to recover naturally. Patients experiencing vomiting should undergo fasting until symptoms resolve, with the option to withhold food for several days if necessary. If they are not experiencing vomiting, they can be fed a low-fat, easily digestible diet to aid in their recovery process.²

According to the release, Trupanion data revealed that the largest claim for choking on a bone was $3,800 in 2020, involving a West Highland White Terrier who swallowed a bone in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. In a separate incident, the highest claim for toxicity related to bone ingestion was $3,057 in 2019. This occurred when a small mixed-breed puppy in California ingested both chocolate and bone simultaneously.

The release also shared data and advice on hyperthermia, dehydration, and burnt paw pads in dogs, which are most frequently reported during the summer months.

References

1. Trulnsights into summertime pet health: Trupanion offers safety tips for high temps, & backyard barbecues. New release. July 10, 2024. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240710843386/en/truInsights-into-Summertime-Pet-Health-Trupanion-Offers-Safety-Tips-for-High-Temps-Backyard-Barbeques
2. Hunter T. Panning A, Ward E. Pancreatitis in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pancreatitis-in-dogs