Huskies and Summer BBQ’s
There’s nothing more cheerful than hosting a backyard summer barbecue! But when your Husky has a hankering for “people” food, beware.
Many classic cookout foods are dangeroous, even, deadly, for your cherished canine companion. By planning ahead, you can keep them safe and you secure.
Limit your Husky’s access to the food area by using a safety gate if needed and set them up in the shade. An outdoor water bowl and a cooling mat can help them stay comfortable. To prevent boredom and food scavenging, keep them busy with various backyard dog toys and high-value treats. Ask your guests NOT to share their food, such as baked beans, cole slaw, deviled eggs, pasta salad, potato salad and macaroni and cheese, with them. Even small bites can be harmful. Watch for any dropped food on the ground, near the grill and by all of the tables. Secure the trash by ensuring that the lids are closed to prevent any “sneaky snacking.”
Because barbecue foods are high in fat, don’t let your Husky have: burgers, hot dogs and sausages, bacon and meat scraps,
French fries or fried chicken, grease or drippings, foods cooked in butter, oils or heavy sauces. Since cooked bones are brittle and prone to splintering, which can cause choking, cracked teeth and/or serious internal injuries, don’t let them have: any food on skewers, chicken wings or drumsticks, corn on the cob, ribs or steak bones.
While chives, garlic, leeks and onions may be common cookout ingredients, they’re toxic to dogs -- even in small amounts. Containing compounds that damage their red blood cells, it can even lead to anemia and organ damage. Grapes and raisins are also highly toxic, containing a compound that can cause kidney damage or kidney failure. Eating even a small amount is considered an emergency. Although avoiding all seasonings, sauces and marinades is best, these ingredients are particularly problematic for dogs:
Excess salt: it can cause dehydration or sodium poisoning
Onion powder: it can damage their red blood cells and lead to low energy, pale gums or weakness
Sugar: it can upset your dog’s stomach
Spicy foods: they can irritate your dog’s stomach, causing diarrhea or vomiting
Vinegar: it can irritate their digestive system and cause diarrhea or vomiting
Xylitol: an extremely toxic artificial sweetener, it can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver failure, and is found in some barbecue sauce and ketchup (as well as some peanut butter)
Alcohol and desserts, while fun for people aren’t fine for dogs. Alcohol can depress their nervous system and can be life threatening. Chocolate can affect their heart and nervous system, with signs like a rapid heartbeat, restlessness and vomiting. Macadamia nuts can cause overheating, tremors and weakness. Ice cream and cake can upset their stomach, and some may contain xylitol.
(Because ingesting a dangerous food or toxin can escalate quickly, call your veterinarian immediately or take your Husky to the emergency vet. You can phone Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) on the way there).
And now, the good news for your hungry Husky! Their safest cookout options include: unseasoned grilled chicken, unseasoned grilled turkey, small unseasoned pieces of lean beef, thin slices or bite-sized pieces of baby carrots, cucumber slices, plain, off the cob corn kernels, plain rice, unseasoned potatoes, seedless and rindless watermelon, small pieces of strawberries, seedless and coreless apple slices, and blueberries.