Grilling Safety for Dogs: 5 Tips for a Safe Outdoor BBQ

Summer barbecues are tons of fun, and many dogs love the social scene—not to mention the chance to snag a dropped bite.  

But amidst the fun, backyard cookouts can also bring hazards for your dog. Fireworks, open gates, or crowds could prompt any dog to make a run for it, and BBQ fare that’s safe for humans isn’t always safe for dogs.  

Avoid a last-minute trip to the vet or a frantic search through the neighborhood with these dog-friendly summer barbecue safety tips.  

If you notice any unusual symptoms or behavior in your dog, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

Grilling Safety Tips for Dog Parents

1. Keep Food and Drinks Out of Reach 

Calls to the Pet Poison Helpline spike around Memorial Day and continue through Labor Day, says Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline.  

Dr. Schmid says the most common barbecue-related emergency calls involve dogs ingesting: 

• Alcohol 

• Cigarette butts 

• Charcoal briquettes 

• Grease drippings 

• Onions and garlic, which can cause anemia 

• Fruits like grapes, which are toxic to dogs in any form  

• Bones, which can be a choking hazard or splinter 

One of the more surprising—but not uncommon—reasons pet parents call? Dogs ingesting marijuana (cannabis), including weed brownies and cookies, Dr. Schmid says.  

Non-food items such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and skewers can also be just as dangerous as toxic foods, potentially causing intestinal blockages or even puncturing your dog’s intestinal tract. 

Here are some tips for protecting your dog from eating dangerous food and other items: 

• Cover food dishes. 

• Set up no-dog zones. 

• Pet-proof your trash can. 

• Add a mesh cover to your BBQ grease collection bucket.  

• Remind visitors not to feed your pets. 

If your dog shows any signs of choking—such as pawing at the mouth, having trouble breathing, and salivating heavily—or if you believe they have ingested something toxic, seek immediate emergency care or contact the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661; a fee applies) right away.  

2. Keep Your Pup Cool and Hydrated 

Don’t wait until your dog is panting heavily to help them cool down. Even on days that don’t feel exceptionally hot to us, dogs can still overheat if they don’t have unlimited access to shade and water, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).  

To help keep your pup cool, set up a designated shaded area for your dog to relax with unlimited access to dog water bowls, or keep them indoors. 

Rather than sweating, dogs pant to regulate their body temperature—but panting alone isn’t always enough in hot weather. When a dog’s body temperature exceeds 102.5 F, they enter the early stages of heat exhaustion, which can come with these warning signs: 

• Excessive panting 

• Fatigue 

• Weakness 

• Muscle tremors 

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea 

If you notice any of the above signs, act quickly—move your dog into the shade, offer water, and contact your veterinarian immediately. 

When heat exhaustion is left untreated, it can quickly escalate to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition that can cause organ damage, seizures, coma, or even death. Signs of heatstroke in dogs include: 

• Excessive panting 

• Reddened gums/mucous membranes 

• Tachycardia (fast heart rate) 

• Dehydration  

• Elevated temperature (104 F and above)  

• Vomiting (with or without blood)  

• Diarrhea (with or without blood) 

• Disorientation/stumbling 

• Weakness/collapse 

• Seizures/death  

Heatstroke is always a medical emergency. Take your dog to their veterinarian or local emergency veterinary hospital right away.  

3. Keep Your Dog Away From Hot Surfaces 

Never leave your dog unsupervised near a hot grill, a campfire, or an open flame. Even a quick sniff can put dogs at risk of smoke inhalation or thermal (heat) and steam burns.  

A portable pet gate, like the Frisco 8-Panel Configurable Dog Gate and Playpen, can help create a barrier around your grill. 

Burns can be more severe than they initially appear. If you think your dog sustained a burn, contact your veterinarian or seek emergency care immediately and don’t apply any human ointments without first consulting your vet.  

4. Set Up a Safe Zone 

Changes in routine—such as new guests and open doors and gates—can trigger unexpected behaviors. Dogs can also become startled by loud noises, such as fireworks, and feel stressed or anxious.   

• To help keep your pup calm, set up a quiet safe space, like a corner with a dog crate where they can retreat and where guests won’t enter and exit.  

• To help keep them busy while you’re cooking and entertaining with friends and family, give them a stuffed KONG or puzzle toys, like the Frisco Watermelon Interactive Puzzle Toy. 

• If you keep your pup in a separate room, put a sign on the door asking guests not to enter. Consider playing calming music, like Pet Acoustics. 

5. Keep Doors, Gates, and Fences Secure—and Outfit Your Dog With Proper Identification 

July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month, and for good reason. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the number of reported lost pets increases by 30–60% on the Fourth of July and the days following, with July 5 being one of the busiest days of the year for animal shelters.  

Don’t let your pup become another statistic. Follow these safety tips to keep your pup safe and sound: 

• Microchip your dog and keep their information up to date. 

• Put an ID tag with your dog’s name and your phone number, like the DOG iD tag, on your dog’s collar.

• Put a GPS tracking collar, like the Tractive tracker, on your dog, or attach an AirTag to their collar with an AirTag holder, like this one from GoTags. 

• Double-check that gates and doors are securely closed. 

• Remind guests to close gates and doors behind them and consider placing a friendly reminder sign nearby. 

• Install backup gates or barriers, like the Frisco Steel Auto-Close Gate, in front of doors. 

Whether you’re firing up the grill, gearing up for a camping trip, or visiting the local dog park, it’s important to keep summer safety in mind. From protecting paws on hot pavement to implementing pool safety tips for dogs, make this summer a safe one.