Dog friendly Canada Day BBQ

The weather is heating up and with Canada Day just around the corner, it’s time to get planning on how to celebrate one of our favourite days of the year.

If you have a backyard or a patio, this is the perfect time to make use of this space and host a Canada Day BBQ!

However, if your circle of friends are dog owners, things have the potential to get a little chaotic.

Here are some tips and tricks on how to host a safe dog friendly Canada Day BBQ, as well as some food and drink options for your guests – both human and four-legged.

Tip #1 – Know what foods are unsafe and safe

First off, it’s good to know what foods are toxic for pups in case some of them are going to be at the BBQ. We all know our dogs love some tasty food scraps, so here is a short list of foods that they need to stay away from:

• Avocados – The persin present in avocados can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Also, the pit is a choking hazard.
• Grapes – Can cause kidney failure in dogs and just a small amount can make a dog sick.
• Onions – Onions can kill a dog’s red blood cells, causing anemia. Eating a lot just once can cause poisoning.
• Chocolate – Chocolate can cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea. It can also cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death.

Luckily, there are plenty of BBQ foods that are ok for dogs to eat. If they happen to get some scraps of the following foods, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

• Hot Dogs
• Hamburgers
• Zucchini and Sweet Potatoes
• Blueberries and Watermelon
• Grilled Meat and Fish

Tip #2 – Feed your dog before guests arrive

Meat bones are commonly found at a BBQ and they are usually not safe for pups to eat. Be especially cautious about cooked chicken bones since they can splinter and cause damage to your pup. Instead, it’s a good idea to feed the pups an early dinner in order to calm the excitement and stop any begging for scraps.

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To keep the pups occupied while the guests are enjoying the food, it might be a good time to give the pups something fun to chew on. Be sure to pick up some chew sticks or treats ahead of the party.

Tip #3 – Be Dog-Safe

It’s good to know some basic BBQ safety precautions when you have a number of furry friends involved. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Avoid using potent insect sprays or sunscreens around your dog, and keep such products out of reach.
• Use lidded receptacles to keep dogs out of the trash.
• Keep the foods, especially the toxic ones, on a high enough surface so that dogs cannot access them.
• Have a covered container on hand to collect bones from grilled chicken, ribs and other meats.
• Put the lid down to prevent curious pups from putting their feet on a hot grill.
• Keep lighter fluid, charcoal and matches out of reach.
• Ensure your dog is kept in an area not close to the grill. Do so by putting them on a leash or allowing your guests to play with them in a different area.

Tip #4 – Have Fun

Canada Day is a time to celebrate with loved ones! Have fun with your friends, both human and furry!