Keeping Cool: Summer Foods for Pets to Avoid and Some to Try
It’s summertime and the temperatures are high. Many of us try to cool off with a tasty, chilly treat, and it is only natural to want to include your pets. Not all summer pleasures are pet friendly, though. Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital wants to make sure that you know what summer foods for pets to avoid and what special treats are pet-safe.
Popular Summer Foods for Pets to Avoid
Some of our favorite summertime treats can actually be hazardous to our pets. Using a little caution can help you to avoid a pet emergency this summer.
Some summer foods for pets to avoid include:
- Anything with alcohol: A chilly cocktail might be just what the doctor ordered for you, but mixed drinks, beer, and wine can be hazardous for our pets. Never encourage your pet to drink these things, and be careful leaving glasses or bottles unattended.
- Corn cobs and the like: Large, indigestible organic pieces like corn cobs and watermelon rinds can be fun for pets to chew on, but can cause trouble if swallowed. They are likely to cause intestinal obstruction.
- Bones: Chewing on bones can cause broken teeth, gastrointestinal perforations and obstructions, and GI upset if fatty remains are ingested.
- Grapes: Those grapes or raisins in Aunt Millie’s fruit salad or your trail mix can be quite toxic for pets if ingested, even in small amounts.
- Ice cream: Our pets are generally lactose intolerant, and eating ice cream can lead to diarrhea and tummy upset.
- Fruits with pits: Fruits with pits like avocados or peaches can be a choking hazard or lead to an obstruction. In addition, many pits are toxic if chewed.
- Unattended trash cans: With the season of barbecues and get-togethers upon us, be aware that pets may help themselves to a particularly tempting trash can and might unknowingly ingest something toxic.
Seasonal Treats to Share
So how can your pet partake this summer? Don’t worry, there are lots of pet-friendly options for celebrating the season. Enjoy the summer with your pet by offering:
- Pet-safe ice cream treats
- Frozen apple slices to munch on
- Chunks of watermelon without the rind
- Frozen ice cubes flavored with a little low-sodium broth
- Crunchy, leafy greens or cucumbers
- A frozen Kong filled with peanut butter, Cool Whip, or another favorite treat
- A homemade puppy confection
Any time you offer a new treat to your pet, be sure to observe for any sign it doesn’t agree with them. Don’t overdo it!
Many pets enjoy non-food activities as well. Bust out the baby pool (supervised play only) or sprinkler for some fun or take a nice summer stroll as the sun sets to stay out of the heat. You might even add a few ice cubes to the water bowl to keep it cooler.
Summer can be a great time to spend with your pet. Be sure that you are staying safe and sharing animal safe options. If there are any doubts about what a good option might be, don’t hesitate to ask us. We are here to support a fun and emergency-free summer!