Monitor — routine vet appointment
BBQ hazards for dogs
BBQs bring cooked bones, fatty meat, corn cobs, kebab skewers, and hot grills — supervise dogs and brief guests; pancreatitis and obstruction are common after garden parties.
Recognise the signs
- See dog-eaten-cooked-bone, dog-pancreatitis, pet-burn-thermal entries
First aid steps
- Brief all guests before the BBQ — no scraps, no bones.
- Secure leftovers in outdoor bin immediately.
- Vet contact for any known ingestion.
Do NOT
- Do not feed scraps.
- Do not leave food unattended at table height.
- Do not let dogs near hot grills.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Per specific entries
Common causes
- Cooked bones (chicken wings, ribs, sausages with bone)
- Fatty meat causing pancreatitis
- Corn cobs (foreign body obstruction)
- Wooden kebab skewers
- Onion-laden burgers
- Hot grills causing burns
- Discarded packaging in bins
What the vet will need to know
- Specific item, time, amount
Aftercare
- Per specific entry.
Prevention
- Brief guests before they arrive.
- Crate or pen dogs during peak food prep and serving.
- Outdoor bin with locked lid.
- Provide a dog-safe alternative (meal beforehand, frozen Kong).
Breed-specific notes
- Pancreatitis-prone breeds especially at risk: Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier.
Frequently asked questions
Are corn cobs really dangerous?
Yes — they are a leading cause of foreign body obstruction in dogs in summer. Surgery is often needed.
Can dogs have a sausage?
Plain cooked sausage in small amounts is usually fine. Avoid in pancreatitis-prone breeds; never with bone or skewer.
What about kebab skewers in the bin?
A common cause of gut perforation. Use locked outdoor bins.