Australia Day is a national holiday and usually means beach, BBQs, and friends. Here are our top 5 pet safety tips to remember during celebrations
Backyard Barbeques
1. Read Sausage and Patty Ingredients and Avoid Cooked Bones
Every good cook knows that great seasoning is a must for a BBQ but often seasonings including garlic, salt and onion, which are all toxic to pets. Cooked bones are extremely harmful to pets, particularly dogs. Also watch for plastic wrapping and skewer sticks on kebabs as they can get caught in pets mouths and throat.
2. Ask Guests to Close Gates and Doors Securely
With friends and family coming over to celebrate together there will be plenty of opening and closing of doors and gates. Let your guests know to be mindful when entering and leaving, and to check gates and doors behind them.
When out exploring
3. Take a roll of Pet Waste Bags
If you are enjoying our beautiful summer weather out and about at a dog beach or park don’t forget about carrying pet waste bags on your leash. Standing on a steamy dog poo will be sure to put a dampener on someone else’s day, but could also leave you with a nasty on the spot fine, especially on the beach.
4. Carry Water and Walk in the cool of the day
Avoid Heat Stroke by remembering take plenty of fresh, clean drinking water for your pets. When desperate, your fur baby may try to drink water from the ocean or stagnant puddles, which is really unhealthy. Silicone travel bowls are compact to carry and when you’ve found a shady spot are super easy to fill up.
5. Supervise Pets at the Beach
Keep an eye out for discarded fish hooks, stonefish, or pufferfish along the shoreline. These creatures are extremely harmful if eaten by pets. Prevent your dog swallowing too much sand when playing fetch with a ball or digging at the beach, otherwise they can end up with sand impaction internally which is an emergency. Avoid too much water play as dogs can inhale water into the lungs. Respiratory difficulties often develop 24 hours later (also known as water aspiration, near drowning, or submersion syndrome).
