dog with sausage on a fork

National BBQ week – how to keep safe when sizzling!

As a nation obsessed with the weather, we’re often very eager to dust of the BBQ and stock up on grilled goodies as soon as the weatherman predicts highs of 16°C. It certainly wouldn’t be a proper British summer without firing up the BBQ, overcooking some sausages, and rushing inside when the weather turns to rain.  

Whether you’re an absolute carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, or anything else in between, BBQs are the ultimate social event for Brits once we’ve all thawed from winter. And impressively, many Brits sharpened their BBQ skills over the 2020/ 2021 Covid-19 lockdown periods, as reported by The Independent, and so summer 2022 promises to be an absolute feast!  

With animal welfare always at the forefront of our minds here at Nutriment, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind the many BBQ kings and queens across the country of how to ensure your pets stay safe before you pick up the tongs. 

1. Burns

Open flames, gas fires and hot coals all pose serious burn risks to animals who may attempt to retrieve meat that is being cooked. Similarly, chemicals such as lighter fluid and cleaning products, which are often kept near or around BBQs, can also be poisonous to pets and cause chemical burns. Actively keep pets away from BBQs and do not leave BBQ unattended in gardens where pets may be roaming freely. 

2. Bones

It may be tempting to throw some cooked ribs, chicken wings, or steak bones to your pets when the human meal is over. However, cooked bones pose a serious risk to animals. So why can’t pets have cooked bones? When bones are cooked, they become brittle and prone to splintering, which can cause serious damage to an animals digestive tract (mouth, throat, stomach, intestines etc.). Nutriment has an incredible range of raw bones in their treats portfolio, packed with nutrients that haven’t been lost through cooking. Explore our range and stock up so your pets can enjoy themselves through BBQ season. 

3. Skewers

Kebabs are a staple BBQ food, and for good reason! However, the metal and wooden skewers that are often used as part of this dish can be dangerous for pets in search of leftovers to steal. Make sure you dispose of any sharp BBQ objects, such as skewers, to avoid any nasty accidents for pets. 

4. Food Assortments

BBQs are often packed with a huge range of sweet and savoury foods, all laid out to be picked at by guests. This could mean that some human foods which are poisonous to cats and dogs – such as grapes, chocolate, alcohol, onions/ garlic to name a few – may be within easy reach of hopeful paws. If your pet is known to steal food when no one is looking, please stay extra vigilant. The last thing you want to have to do is make an emergency vet trip mid-BBQ because your pet has ingested something toxic.

5. Noise & stress

For some nervous or easily stressed pets, BBQs mean bother. Gatherings, parties and loud music can create a stressful environment for anxious pets. If you know that your pet prefers peace, try and create a safe and quiet space that they can retreat to and relax in whilst the humans are all having fun.