Pet safety for this Super Bowl Sunday

Willee Cole / stock.adobe.com

House parties to celebrate the Super Bowl football game usually include various finger foods and alcoholic drinks. While some of these may be more obvious hazards for pets, others could fall through the cracks of pet owners’ minds (and maybe even end up on the floor). Being mindful of these hazards can allow everyone in the family to feel safe and secure this Super Bowl Sunday.

Kevin Kelley, DVM, senior emergency clinician at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital shared his experience in a BluePearl article, stating, “Super Bowl celebrations are lots of fun for us, and usually our pets, but do include some unusual dangers or risks. Primarily we see cases of dietary indiscretion with intentional or accidental feeding of people food to pets resulting in gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and gastrointestinal foreign bodies.”¹

Food and drinks

Common party food like chicken wings, creamy dip, pizza, chocolate desserts, potato chips and anything with garlic and onions in them are all very hazardous to animals. For example, chicken wing bones can get stuck in the throat when swallowing or cause tears in the stomach, while chocolate is toxic and can cause mild to severe gastrointestinal problems.²

Instead, have a small bowl of safe and healthy treats to make your pet included and reward them for good behavior. Vegetables like celery, cucumbers, and carrots (without dip) can be a great alternative to the dangerous foods listed above.

While alcohol is more of an obvious toxin to animals, it is always good to be prepared in keeping it away from pets. Always carry your glass or cup with you when leaving a room to ensure that a pet does not get into anything that was left unattended.

“Watch for hiding, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea in pets during and after the party. Check on them periodically during the gathering to reassure them and to make sure they are staying out of trouble,” Kelley recommended. “If any problems are seen, don’t wait until the game is over, get them seen immediately as time matters and waiting can make a difference in a simple outpatient treatment or expensive hospitalization visit.”¹

Plastic utensils, cups, and plates can be a hazard if ingested as well, so make sure everyone is cleaning up after themselves after eating.

References

1. Pet safety on Super Bowl Sunday. BluePearl Pet Hospital. Published February 3, 2020. Accessed February 7, 2023. https://bluepearlvet.com/articles/pet-safety-on-super-bowl-sunday-the-dos-and-donts/
2. Pet safety on Super Bowl Sunday: What you need to know. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Published February 1, 2018. Accessed February 7, 2023. https://www.aspca.org/news/pet-safety-super-bowl-sunday-what-you-need-know