Dog owners warned of BBQ season hazard

56% of UK vets have treated pets for barbecue-related injuries, with over 1 in 10 citing burns as the cause of injury 

Last summer there were nearly 115 million BBQs across the UK – with a 29 °C heatwave this month, it’s officially barbecue season*.

However, experts are warning dog owners about barbecue-related injuries as over half of vets have treated pets for these – with over one in ten citing burns as the cause, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA). These burns are often from food fresh off the grill or from touching hot coals.*

As such, Edward Creaser, dog expert and Director of the Natural Dog Food Company, is warning pet owners of the risks involved in home barbecues, and has shared his top tips for treating your dog’s BBQ burns as well as preventing them in the first place. 

Protecting your dog from BBQ burns

• Create a safety zone of at least two metres around all your grilling equipment using baby gates or leashes. 
• Never leave dogs unattended near a BBQ area, particularly when they are being or are newly trained.
• Keep dogs occupied while the BBQ is in action by providing them with a safe space with dog treats and toys. 
• While you and your guests tuck into your food, make sure that your dog is secured – barbecue grills remain extremely hot for up to 30 minutes after cooking ends. Meat cooked on the barbecue can reach temperatures of 190-230°C, while dogs can safely eat food at 38.3-39.4 °C. 
• Be extra vigilant of any hot food that curious dogs might want to investigate when dropped on the floor or left accessible nearby. 
• Keep grill covers, tools, and hot coal disposal containers well out of reach. 

Symptoms and signs of burns

Burns, both internal and external, in dogs can become serious very quickly, so spotting them immediately is extremely important for your pet’s safety and recovery.

Some obvious signs to watch out for include:

• Redness, swelling, blisters, or charred skin
• Behavioural changes, including excessive licking or whimpering
• A reluctance to move
• Loss of appetite
• Aggression or agitation when touched 
• Vomiting and regurgitation from ingesting hot food 

Treating your dogs BBQ burns 

Create distance between the dog and the BBQ

Move the dog away from the heat source immediately. They may become agitated from the initial shock and injure themselves further. 

Slowly cool down the burnt area

Cool the burn with room-temperature water for 10-15 minutes. Never use ice, oils, or home remedies, as these can worsen the injury, cause blistering, or trigger infection.

Cover the area 

Wrap the area loosely with a clean, damp cloth to help soothe your dog’s pain. 

Give them water

For internal burns, give your dog plenty of cool (not cold) water to help relieve their throat. 

Seek veterinary care immediately

Professional treatment includes wound cleaning, pain management, antibiotics, and bandaging. Severe burns may require hospitalisation and surgical intervention.

If your dog does become injured, call a vet to assess the severity of their injury. Barbecues are busy environments so it’s crucial to keep an eye on your pets – prevention is the best treatment.