Eat accident free this Memorial Day! Obstructive foods to keep out of your pet’s reach

 

What’s your favorite Memorial Day barbecue dish? Whether it’s sweet or savory, there’s no doubt your pet may try to sneak a taste, too. Stay strong and don’t give in to their adorable begging eyes! 

 

Besides many table foods being toxic for pets, there are several classic summer dishes that can end up stuck in your pet’s gut in such a way that only surgery can get them back out again.

Save your pet from a Memorial Day emergency by keeping these obstructive foods far out of reach when served and throwing them away in a secure trash can when done:

Ribs, steak, wings or any bone-in meats. Pets tend to eat first, think later, which means enthusiastically gulping down huge chunks of bone is typical.

Corn on the cob. Corn on the cob is the exact size and shape to plug a dog’s gut completely, which explains why it is one of the most common causes of obstructions in pets.

Kebobs. Wooden or metal, any type of skewer can end up swallowed, even once the food is long gone and your pet is just licking the skewer for the taste.

Watermelon. Although seedless watermelon fruit is a yummy and cool snack for your pet, they won’t know to stop eating when they reach the hard rind.

Guacamole. Avocado pits are both obstructive and poisonous, so make sure the avocado pit stays in the guacamole and out of your pet’s reach.

Peach, mango or other fruit pits. Although these pits aren’t making it into any of your dishes, they may still be scavenged out of the trash after they’re thrown out.

 

Did your pet eat something questionable? With Live Chat* through the myVCA app, our licensed veterinary professionals are always ready to answer your questions anytime, available day or night. >>

 

*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.