Snacks, snakes and silly mishaps: How to keep your pet safe during the festivities

Summer is synonymous with entertaining, eating and plenty of outdoor adventures so, before you embark on the holiday season, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when it comes to the health and safety of your pet.

Firstly, when it comes to BBQs and summer entertaining it’s important to know what foods could be risky for your dog. See the below tips to know which foods you should avoid during the festivities.

1. Avoid giving your dog fatty foods: Fatty foods like sausages or ham can cause gastrointestinal upsets, pancreatitis, and obesity. Make sure your kids (or other guests) aren’t sneaking your pup fatty snacks under the table, and instead have dog safe treats on hand.  
2. Onion is a no-go: Common BBQ foods like onions can be dangerous for dogs (Allium (Onions and Garlic) are Dangerous! – PetSure). Last year (from 1/1/2021 -31/12/2021) PetSure recorded more than 167 suspected cases of onion toxicity, according to PetSure claims data**. Treatment for onion toxicity is generally covered under Comprehensive Accident and Illness pet insurance policies.*
3. Bones, corn cobs and skewers: You should also avoid sharing these foods with your dog as they could cause choking or intestinal obstruction. In 2021, PetSure processed around 1,300 claims a month for gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs. That’s over 15,000 claims a year** and a lot of sore tummies!
4. Chocolate is toxic: Chocolate can be toxic for dogs, but this depends on the type and amount of chocolate consumed by the dog. Read more about chocolate toxicity here so you’re aware of the impact this could have on your dog Chocolate toxicity in dogs | PetSure.

The holiday season is also a time for outdoor walks and adventures which can put your dog at risk of encountering snakes, baits and other nasties. It’s best to always keep a very close eye on dogs, especially those who tend to gobble up things they shouldn’t.

The below is a list of potential hazards you should be mindful of:

• Beach hazards and marine life: Beach hazards including puffer fish, jelly fish, sea snakes, algae, fishhooks, and other rotten items like rotting bait or food can be dangerous to dogs. 10 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe at the Beach – PetHelpful
• Snakes: Snakes are often found in bushland or areas with tall grass, so if possible, try to keep dogs on a lead so that they don’t go exploring in areas where snakes may be hiding.
• Wasps and bees: Wasps and bee stings are common in pets, and although not usually deadly, a nasty sting is a sure way to ruin a fun day out.
• Ticks: Tick season has begun and a way to prevent tick paralysis is to use preventive treatment all year around. Talk to your vet about products suitable for your dog. Read more about tick paralysis here (Tick Paralysis – PetSure). Please note preventative care is generally excluded with pet insurance.
• Dog fights: With increased outdoor activity, dog fight risk can also increase. Keep dogs on a lead and always introduce new dogs slowly and carefully to avoid any mishaps.

While not every mishap can be avoided, taking a few precautions can go a long way to ensure everyone has a fun and enjoyable summer.

For more information, see our articles about snake bites (Snake bites – what you need to know – PetSure) and Christmas perils (The 12 perils for pets at Christmas – PetSure).

Not all items or conditions are covered by pet insurance. Terms, conditions, waiting periods, excess, limits and exclusions apply. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for more information.*

*Comprehensive Accident and Illness pet insurance policies are administered by PetSure (check our brand partners at petsure.com.au/partners), unless related to a pre-existing condition or exclusion. Please refer to your policy documents, including Certificate of Insurance and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information on whether this condition is covered under your policy.  

** According to PetSure claims data, 2021.