While you are out at the barbecue one summer day, you look beside you to see your pooch’s mouth dripping with drool. Their eyes are pleading with you to feed them a bite of the ribs you are seasoning. Before you drop them a piece of meat, it’s important to remember that many popular barbecue foods are hazardous for your pet. If you want your pet to enjoy your summer barbecue as much as you do, the team here at Genoa Animal Hospital has put together a list of 3 pet-safe alternatives to feed them!
#1. Fresh vegetables
Plain, raw veggies are an excellent snack for pets, and many cats and dogs will give such healthy food options a shot. While dogs are less discerning in their vegetable choice, cats—as true carnivores—are a bit trickier to entice into eating fresh veggies. You can toss some vegetables, such as summer squash or sweet potatoes, on the grill, to give them a delicious smoky flavor, but ensure you avoid seasonings, and oil or butter. Remember that garlic and onion are toxic to pets, so keep these foods away from your furry pal, but most other veggies are safe.
#2. Plain grilled chicken breast
During your cookout, your pet is likely eyeing the meat, rather than veggies or side dishes. However, many meats cooked on the grill contain bones, or are slathered in barbecue sauce or other seasoning. If you’d like to spoil your pet, cook a small piece of boneless, skinless meat devoid of any seasonings or sauces. Tiny bites of a plain grilled chicken breast will make your pet feel like they’re getting a special treat.
#3. Frozen treats
If you’re grilling out, it’s likely hot outside, so help your furry friend cool off with a special frozen treat. A rubber Kong stuffed with a tasty concoction of canned food, kibble, fresh veggies, yogurt, peanut butter, or your pet’s other favorites, and tossed in the freezer for a few hours, is an easy-to-make cool treat.
By sticking to pet-friendly barbecue foods, you can ensure that your furry pal doesn’t need to go for an emergency trip to the hospital. However, if they do manage to run off with the T-bones or scarf down an entire pack of hot dogs, please contact us.