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Labor Day is a great time to enjoy a barbecue, picnic, or outdoor gathering before summer comes to an end. But while you may want your dog to join the festivities, holiday celebrations can expose them to a variety of hazards, including dangerous foods, hot weather, water risks, and fireworks. Taking a few precautions can help keep your dog safe, comfortable, and happy throughout the holiday weekend.
Key Points
Keep Dangerous Foods Away From Your Dog
Picnics and barbecues often include foods and items that can be harmful to dogs:
- Choking and blockage hazards: Skewers, corn cobs, and cooked bones can become lodged in a dog’s throat or cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.
- Toxic foods: Some common party foods, such as grapes, chocolate, and onions, are toxic to dogs.
- Rich or fatty foods: Bacon, sausage, and other fatty meats or oily dishes may trigger gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.
Alcohol is another serious concern, so always keep it out of your dog’s reach.
To reduce the risk of food-related emergencies, keep your dog away from serving tables and areas where guests leave food unattended. Dr. Carly Fox, Senior Veterinarian in the Emergency & Critical Care Service at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, recommends leaving your dog inside or crated where they cannot access food left out for guests. She also advises asking guests ahead of time not to share food with your dog.
“Another easy thing to do is cover your garbage,” she says. “When the bins are full, take them out immediately. Do not leave tied, full garbage bags on the floor awaiting final disposal. They are sitting ducks!”
Protecting Your Dog From Grill and Backyard Hazards
Holiday cookouts can introduce additional dangers beyond food. A hot grill can cause serious burns if a curious dog jumps against the lid, cooking surface, or side shelves while searching for food. Fire pits can also pose a risk if a dog accidentally falls into them or attempts to jump across them.
Never tie your dog to a barbecue grill. If they become frightened or overly excited, may run suddenly and knock the grill over. Instead, keep your dog indoors while cooking or create a barrier around the grilling area to prevent access.
It’s also important to watch for potentially toxic substances commonly found in backyards and on patios, including:
- Bug spray and pesticides
- Sunscreen
- Lighter fluid, matches, and charcoal briquettes
- Insect coils and citronella products
Store these items securely and out of your dog’s reach.
Dr. Fox notes that if your pet does get into anything potentially harmful, you should contact your veterinarian right away to determine whether your dog needs immediate treatment. Quick action could save your dog’s life.
Supervise Your Dog Around Pools, Lakes, and Rivers
Many dogs enjoy swimming, but you should never leave them unsupervised near water. Whether you’re spending Labor Day by a pool, lake, river, or beach, dogs can tire unexpectedly, struggle to find an exit point, or get swept away by heavy currents.
If your dog tires easily or isn’t a strong swimmer, consider using a properly fitted life jacket. A life jacket is especially important when boating.
Natural bodies of water may also contain harmful bacteria, blue-green algae, parasites, or other disease-causing organisms. Drinking contaminated water can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, or illnesses like Giardia.
Providing fresh, clean drinking water throughout the day can help discourage your dog from drinking potentially unsafe water sources.
Preventing Sunburn and Heatstroke
Although Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, temperatures can still be high and the sun can remain intense. Dogs are vulnerable to dehydration and heatstroke, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Plan walks during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or later in the evening. Also make sure your dog always has access to fresh water and plenty of shade.
Dr. Fox also stresses that you should never leave your dog in a parked vehicle, even for a brief time and with the windows cracked open. Hot cars can become deadly in a short amount of time.
Dogs with white coats, sparse fur, thinning hair, or certain skin conditions may be susceptible to sunburn. Pet-safe sunscreen can help protect exposed areas like the ears, nose, and belly when spending time outdoors.
Also, watch out for hot pavement and sidewalks, which can burn sensitive paw pads.
Help Your Dog Cope With Fireworks
Fireworks are a popular Labor Day tradition, but many dogs find the loud noises frightening. Fear and anxiety can lead to panic, destructive behaviors, or attempts to escape.
Dr. Fox suggests leaving your dog at home if you plan to attend a fireworks display.
“Leave them in a comfortable, familiar place with no access to the outside. If you are planning on hosting, set up a safe place for your dog inside. The area should have comfort items for them, no window access – ideally in the interior of the house.”
Other strategies can help reduce stress:
- Play music, run a white noise machine, or turn on the TV to help mask the sound of fireworks.
- Exercise your dog and provide puzzle toys before fireworks start to help your dog burn off physical and mental energy.
For dogs with more significant anxiety, options such as anxiety vests, dog appeasing pheromones, or veterinarian-prescribed medications may provide additional support. If you believe your dog may need medication, be sure to talk with your vet well before the holiday.
Make Sure Identification Is Up to Date
Large gatherings, unfamiliar visitors, and fireworks can increase the risk of a dog getting lost during a holiday celebration. Loud noises in particular can frighten a dog into running away.
That’s why Dr. Fox says, “Making sure your pet has a visible ID collar and a microchip, in case the collar gets lost or damaged, is imperative so that they can be safely reunited with you. Don’t forget to update your information associated with your pet’s microchip.”
With a little preparation, Labor Day can be enjoyable for everyone in the family, including your dog. By managing common holiday hazards before they become problems, you can focus on celebrating safely together.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.