AS summer approaches, you might want to limit the time your beloved pooch spends outside, especially if you're planning on firing up the grill.
Hanging out with friends for a barbecue is an ideal way to spend time during the summer but an animal expert says there are some dangers the activity can pose to your pet.
Dr. Joanna Woodnutt said that pet-owning households that own a barbecue has a higher increase in threats to pet safety, Huffington Post reports.
While you might be tempted to throw your beloved pet a treat from the grill, Woodnutt is warning you to think twice before doing so.
Here are some items to avoid putting on your pet's plate.
ONIONS & GARLIC
Any plant that belongs to the Allium family – onions, shallots, and garlic – is toxic to cats and dogs.
If ingested, your poor animal can have symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, and a low appetite, according to Woodnutt.
Dogs can also suffer damage to red blood cells from Allium toxicity and this damage is cumulative, meaning a small amount eaten often could be just as harmful as eating a big serving in one sitting.
Sausages and burgers also contain traces of onions and garlic, so you should be wary of feeding that to your pets as well.
CORN ON THE COB
While corn itself isn't a danger to your pet, it's the inner cob that poses a problem, Woodnutt explains.
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The cob isn't digestible and, due to its size and shape, it can get stuck in the animal's guts, resulting in an intestinal obstruction.
This can cause vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal pain that can become fatal if the cob isn't removed.
Vets have to operate on dogs every summer to remove foreign bodies caused by corn on the cob.
BONES
It's hard to tempt your adorable furry friend when they're begging for what's on your plate.
It might be easy to throw them a bone from your drumstick but it can actually be very dangerous.
Cooked bones are easily breakable and can cause damage to the gut and mouth.
Similar to corn on the cob, bones can lodge in the intestines and cause a blockage.
SKEWER STICKS
If your pet swallows or chews anything on a skewer stick, the wood or metal can cause serious damage to its insides.
The meat won't harm them but the skewer itself can be a dangerous object if the animal is left unattended.
Dogs are likely to swallow the whole thing so make sure to keep an eye on anything your pet is about to eat.
"A lot of people think they’re doing their dog a favor when they let them have barbecue food, but that’s not always the case," said Dr. Woodnutt.
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"Barbecue food is often very fatty, and one of the worst cases of pancreatitis I’ve seen was in a dog that had been allowed to finish up some of the scraps from human food at a party. Thankfully, the dog survived, but it was touch-and-go for a while."
If you believe your pet may have swallowed any toxic foods, get in contact with your vet right away.
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