Dog owners warned of danger that could injure pets this BBQ season

Barbecues can pose a serious danger to dogs- here’s how to protect them.

It’s finally summer, and with it comes the long-awaited season of outdoor gatherings and barbecues. But while a grill-up in the garden is a relaxing way to catch up with friends and family, dog owners are being warned of the dangers barbecue equipment can pose to our four-legged friends.

Over half of vets have treated pets for barbecue-related accidents, with over one in 10 citing burns as the cause of injury, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA). These burns are often from eating food fresh off the grill or from touching he hot coals from the barbecue.

So if you are planning a few grilling parties this summer, how can you protect your precious pooch from burns? Edward Creaser, dog expert and Director of the Natural Dog Food Company, is warning pet owners of the risks involved in home barbecues.

His expert advice explains how to prevent your dog from being burned by the barbie, and how to treat your pet’s burns if they do manage to sustain an injury.

Here’s his advice.

Protecting your dog from barbecue burns

The expert has shared a list on how to protect your pooch from sustaining burns from the barbecue, including:

Create a safety zone of at least two metres around all your grilling equipment using baby gates or leashes.Never leave dogs unattended near a barbecue area, particularly when they are being or are newly trained.Keep dogs occupied while the barbecue is in action by providing them with a safe space with dog treats and toys.While you and your guests tuck into your food, make sure that your dog is secured – barbecue grills remain extremely hot for up to 30 minutes after cooking ends. Meat cooked on the barbecue can reach temperatures of 190C-230C, while dogs can safely eat food at 38.3C-39.4C.Be extra vigilant of any hot food that curious dogs might want to investigate when dropped on the floor or left accessible nearby.Keep grill covers, tools, and hot coal disposal containers well out of reach.

If you follow these steps, pups is far less likely to get burned this summer.

However, it’s still possible that they will manage to sustain an injury, so being able to identify if your dog has been burned is crucial.

Here are some signs your pooch has been burned.

Symptoms and signs of burns

Burns in dogs, both internal and external, can become serious very quickly, so spotting them immediately is extremely important for your pet’s safety and recovery, explained the expert.

Some obvious signs to watch out for include:

Redness, swelling, blisters, or charred skinBehavioural changes, including excessive licking or whimperingA reluctance to moveLoss of appetiteAggression or agitation when touchedVomiting and regurgitation from ingesting hot food

Treating your dog’s barbecue burns

If your dog sustains a burn, you’ll need to act quick. Here are some things you should do to treat your dog’s burn, according to the expert.

Create distance between the dog and the barbecue

Move the dog away from the heat source immediately. They may become agitated from the initial shock and injure themselves further.

Slowly cool down the burnt area

Cool the burn with room-temperature water for 10-15 minutes. Never use ice, oils, or home remedies, as these can worsen the injury, cause blistering, or trigger infection.

Cover the area

Wrap the area loosely with a clean, damp cloth to help soothe your dog’s pain.

Give them water

For internal burns, give your dog plenty of cool (not cold) water to help relieve their throat.

Seek veterinary care immediately

Professional treatment includes wound cleaning, pain management, antibiotics, and bandaging, and severe burns may even require hospitalisation and surgical intervention.

If your dog does become injured, call a vet to assess the severity of their injury. Barbecues are busy environments so it’s crucial to keep an eye on your pets – prevention is the best treatment.

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