Labor Day Pet Safety Tips

While it's not quite the fall equinox as far as our calendars are concerned, most folks consider the Labor Day weekend to mark the “official” end of summer. And since the holiday is just a few days away, lots of folks have been getting busy making plans with their family and friends to celebrate this festive occasion with a bang!

And as part of any righteous Labor Day get-together it’s essential to have plenty of mouth-watering food on the menu.  As far as this writer is concerned, the basics for any successful barbeque event  include fried chicken,  hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls, ketchup, mustard and relish along with an assortment of tempting tossed salads (don’t leave out the potato salad), ending the fabulous dining experience with an all-American favorite: apple pie served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

If my menu has whetted your appetite, just imagine how your cats and dogs will react to the aromas of cooking food wafting right under their noses.  And even though many of the foods that are customarily served during a traditional Labor Day meal are not toxic to our pets, if furry family members are allowed to join in the festivities, in order to keep them safe it’s extremely important to request guests not to share any food with them. Consuming too many rich foods can cause pets major belly aches, vomiting and diarrhea.

This said there are foods that are toxic to both cats and dogs that must always be avoided.  Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in both cats and dogs. While according to Pet MD the causative factor of grape and raisin toxicity is not yet known, it appears to be in the flesh of the fruit.

Dogs who have ingested grapes or raisins may vomit, have diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and become lethargic. If the kidneys start shutting down, urination may stop altogether. 

While many cats are fussier about the types of treats they covet, there is nothing more convincing than a kitty with the look of starvation on their face. Their soulful eyes easily can convey the message that they haven’t had a scrap of food for days. But since barbeque fair often contains “people food” that are toxic to felines, such as onions, garlic and raw potatoes it’s crucial to keep these items far out of kitties’ reach.

Theobromine is the offending substance in chocolate and is extremely toxic to both dogs and cats. Read about the effects of chocolate toxicity in dogs and in cats. Read more about which foods are dangerous to cats and dogs. 

If you observe your dog or cat consuming any of these items, immediately contact your veterinarian or call a veterinary emergency clinic for assistance.

Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure that your Labor Day barbeque bash is huge success for both human and furry companions. Have a gloriously safe holiday.

What other suggestions do you have to keep pets safe during the Labor Day holiday? Share them with a comment.