5 tips for hosting a dog-friendly July 4th barbecue!

 
    dog safety july 4th

The Fourth of July is a blast with its cookouts, pool parties and celebrations. But while we humans are busy soaking up the summer vibes, our dogs might need some extra attention and care to stay safe and happy during our festivities. 

 

 

Your dog may get a little too curious about the barbecue scraps, risking tummy troubles or worse. If you're gearing up to throw a pet-friendly Fourth of July bash, we've got five tips to ensure a fun and safe time for both your human and canine guests:
 
  1. Dog-Proof Your Party Palace. Whether you're partying indoors or outdoors, make sure your space is dog-proofed with food prep and barbecue areas set up away from where the dogs are playing.
  2. Watch Those Barbecue Delights. While we drool over everything that comes off the grill, some foods can spell trouble for our pets. Keep fatty meats and meats with bones (chicken, steak and ribs) away from curious noses. Be alert for sneak attacks as you prepare the grill—raw chicken and beef can contain harmful bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli. 
  3. No Dogs for Dogs! Hot dogs are high in salt and should be kept off the menu for your dog. Too much sodium can lead to dehydration and high blood pressure. The same goes for salty snacks like potato chips, pretzels and peanuts. 
  4. Mind the Toppings. Toppings like garlic, shallots, chives and onions can cause stomach upset and more serious effects in dogs. These onion-family vegetables can be toxic, causing red blood cell destruction and anemia. Mustard and ketchup, while not toxic, can cause vomiting.
  5. Chocolate’s Off Limits. Whether it’s chocolate ice cream or cake, chocolate is a no-go. Depending on the type and amount of chocolate consumed and the weight of your dog, it could cause a serious medical emergency. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is.

With these tips in mind, you can throw a paw-some Fourth of July bash that's fun, safe and totally dog-friendly. So fire up the grill, crank up the tunes and let the good times roll—for you, your friends and man’s best friend too!

Access free 24/7 Live Chat through the myVCA™ app,* where our licensed veterinary professionals are always ready to answer your health and safety questions. >>
*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.

Back to Urgent Care