Important Tips to Ensure your Pets' Safety during 4th of July BBQ

Top 10 BBQ Dos and Don'ts to Keep Your Dog Safe.

Welcome to the summer season! Baby Hope and I hope you have a fantastic 4th of July filled with festive company and delicious BBQ food. We've compiled some great tips for your next BBQ extravaganza, so gather your family, friends, and furry pals for a summer cookout to remember. However, it's important to know the "Dos and Don'ts" to ensure a safe BBQ experience. Here are our top ten tips featuring Baby Hope's favorite summer BBQ Dos & Don'ts that we can't wait to share with you!

1. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs: It's okay to give in to those adorable puppy dog eyes with grilled meat treats, but remember to do so in moderation. Overfeeding or giving too many scraps can upset your pup's sensitive tummy. And please, no baked beans with hot dogs, for various reasons that we won't get into right now.

2. Onions/Garlic: Hold off on these veggies and herbs as they can be harmful to your pup. Onions and garlic not only cause bad breath, but they are toxic to both dogs and cats. They can even cause Heinz body anemia.

3. Tomatoes: Say no to tomatoes! They contain Atropine, which can cause dilated pupils, tremors, and an irregular heartbeat in dogs. The leaves and stems of tomato plants have the highest concentration of atropine.

4. Chocolate: As much as I love this treat, it's definitely not a dog's best friend. Chocolate contains Theobromine, a stimulant that is harmful to dogs and can cause unpleasant and dangerous side effects.

5. Salt: Avoid giving your dog too many salty snacks like potato chips or pickles. Excessive salt intake can lead to overdrinking, which can result in a dangerous condition called bloat. This occurs when the dog's stomach gets too full and can twist or rupture.

6. Macadamia Nuts: Keep nuts away from your pup, especially macadamia nuts. They can cause muscular weakness, tremors, bladder stones, and severe illness in dogs. It's best to keep all types of nuts away from your furry friend.

7. Grapes: While they may be healthy for you, grapes can be highly dangerous for your dog. They can lead to kidney failure in pets, so it's best to avoid giving them to your pup altogether.

8. Sweeteners/Sugar: Don't give in to your dog's sweet tooth. Sugar can release insulin and lead to liver failure in dogs.

9. BBQ Chicken: Avoid giving your dog any kind of bones, as they can splinter and harm their internal organs. If you can't resist, remove the meat from the bone and give only a small amount at a time.

10. Keep alcohol away from your dog! It may seem obvious, but it's worth mentioning. Alcohol and dogs do not mix. Keep your drinks out of paws' reach to prevent any potential health risks associated with alcohol consumption in animals.

By ensuring your pup avoids the above-mentioned foods, you can guarantee a fun, safe, and satisfying summer for both of you. We're not saying that your pup can't indulge a little during the summer. There are plenty of safe and delicious treats you can offer them. Trust me, your dog will thank you! For more information about your pet's health and safety, please visit animalfair.com. Enjoy your BBQ extravaganza and have a wonderful summer!