There’s nothing quite like the smell of a BBQ on a warm afternoon - smoky, sizzling and apparently audible only to your dog, who has materialized beside the grill as if summoned by an ancient spell. Cats tend to play it cooler, but don’t be fooled; they’re clocking every dropped sausage from a safe, dignified distance.
We love that our pets want to be part of the fun. But BBQ season brings a line-up of foods that range from “mildly upset tummy” to “call the vet right now”, and it’s worth knowing which is which before the paws start pleading.
Here’s your no-nonsense guide to grilling season with pets underfoot.
The Obvious Culprits (But Worth Repeating)
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives are BBQ marinade royalty - and also genuinely toxic to both dogs and cats. They can damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia, and the effects are not always immediate, which makes them sneakier than they look.
That skewer of onion and pepper might seem harmless, but keep it well out of reach.
Corn on the cob may feel like a safe, veggie-forward choice, and the kernels themselves are generally fine in small amounts. The cob, however, is a different story.
Corn cobs do not break down in the digestive tract and are a well-known cause of intestinal blockages. If your dog manages to steal and swallow a whole cob, or a large piece of one, contact your vet promptly. It is not just a bad decision on their part; it may become a genuine emergency.
Cooked bones from ribs, chicken or chops are another major BBQ hazard. Cooking can make bones brittle and prone to splintering, creating sharp fragments that may become lodged in the throat, damage the digestive tract or cause a blockage.
That “harmless” rib bone tossed under the table may be anything but.
The Sneaky Ones
Fatty meat trimmings and skin - the crispy, delicious bits we all fight over - can cause digestive upset and may trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.
Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas that can sometimes be serious, so rich, fatty leftovers are best kept off the menu altogether.
Salt-heavy foods such as crisps, pretzels and cured meats can also add up quickly at a BBQ. Too much salt may cause excessive thirst, vomiting and dehydration and, in more severe cases, sodium poisoning.
A few crumbs dropped on the ground are unlikely to be cause for panic, but deliberately sharing salty snacks is best avoided.
Alcohol is toxic to pets, including the puddle left at the bottom of a plastic cup. It can cause vomiting, poor coordination, breathing difficulties, tremors and dangerous depression of the nervous system.
Even seemingly small amounts may be significant, depending on the size of the pet and the strength of the drink, so keep glasses, cans and unfinished drinks well out of reach.
Grapes and raisins, whether they appear in a fruit salad, dessert or snack bowl, are another serious one to flag. Even a small quantity may cause acute kidney injury in dogs, and susceptibility varies considerably from one dog to another.
There is no reliably safe amount, which makes “just a little won’t hurt” a gamble that is simply not worth taking.
Chocolate may also make an appearance around desserts, brownies and sweet treats. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs and cats process much more slowly than people do.
Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are particularly dangerous, but any suspected chocolate ingestion should be discussed with your vet, especially if the quantity or cocoa content is unknown.
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and may cause weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors and a raised temperature. They are sometimes found in biscuits, desserts and bowls of mixed nuts, so keep those firmly on the human side of the table.
The “Wait, Really?” List
Avocado - hello, BBQ guacamole - is primarily a serious toxicity concern for birds and certain other animals rather than dogs and cats.
However, its high fat content may cause digestive upset, and the large stone presents a significant choking or intestinal-blockage risk. Guacamole may also contain onions, garlic, salt and other ingredients that are unsafe for pets.
Xylitol, sometimes labelled as birch sugar, is a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, baked goods, toothpastes and nut butters.
It is extremely dangerous to dogs and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, seizures and potentially liver failure. Always check labels before sharing anything sugar-free or low-sugar with your dog.
Plain, shop-bought mushrooms are not generally considered toxic to dogs, but mushrooms served at a BBQ may be cooked with garlic, onions, butter, sauces or heavy seasoning.
Wild mushrooms are a different matter altogether and should always be treated as potentially dangerous, as some varieties can cause severe or even fatal poisoning.
So, What CAN They Have?
The good news is that your pet does not need to sit through BBQ season staring wistfully at everyone else’s plate.
Small portions of plain, unseasoned cooked chicken or lean meat, with all bones removed, can make a suitable treat for many pets. A few pieces of cucumber or carrot, or a small amount of plain cooked sweet potato, may also be safe options.
Keep portions small, skip anything covered in sauce, seasoning or marinade, and remember that BBQ treats should not replace your pet’s usual balanced diet.
Pets with allergies, digestive problems, pancreatitis, kidney disease or other medical conditions may need to avoid foods that would otherwise be considered safe, so stick to their prescribed diet where applicable.
If They Sneak Something They Shouldn’t
Let’s be honest: even with the best supervision, a determined dog with a nose full of pulled-pork ambition will occasionally win.
If your pet eats something potentially harmful, first try to establish exactly what they ate, approximately how much and when it happened. Keep any packaging or ingredient labels, as these may help your vet assess the risk.
Contact your vet promptly rather than waiting for symptoms, particularly following suspected ingestion of:
- Grapes or raisins
- Xylitol
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions, garlic, leeks or chives
- A corn cob
- A cooked bone or other foreign object
Never attempt to make your pet vomit unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so.
Vomiting, repeated retching, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, wobbliness, tremors, lethargy, loss of appetite, difficulty passing stools, pale gums, collapse or breathing difficulties all require veterinary attention.
For more information about everyday digestive upsets, including common causes, prevention and supportive care, read our guide to digestive issues in dogs.
Remember, however, that suspected poisoning or the swallowing of a bone, corn cob or other foreign object requires veterinary advice rather than at-home digestive support.
The Bottom Line
BBQ season is meant to be relaxed, and with a little planning it can be just as enjoyable for the four-legged members of the party.
Keep tempting food and drinks up high, secure rubbish bags and leftover plates, brief your guests - yes, even Uncle Pat with the “just one bite won’t hurt” philosophy - and have a few pet-safe treats on standby so nobody feels left out.
For more seasonal advice, natural support options and everyday pet health tips, have a browse through our Natural Pet Care Center. There is likely a post there for whatever your pet might get up to next.
