As you plan your Memorial Day festivities and reflect on the many amazing people who have fought for this country, we also want to help you prepare to have a safe and healthy Memorial Day with your pets.

“Though you may be enjoying the yummy food that you have prepared, some of these treats can be highly toxic to your pets.”

Skip the Table Scraps: Though you may be enjoying the delicious food that you have prepared, some of these treats can be highly toxic to your pets. Foods such as grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and chocolate, can cause serious illnesses in your animals and should be avoided. Though corn is not toxic to your dog, corn on the cob is a serious risk of a foreign body. Lastly, alcohol, though fun for you, can be toxic to your pets. If you are having guests over, warn them of these risks and ask them beforehand not to feed your pets table scraps.

Grilling Mishaps: Charcoal can help create a wonderful backyard meal but can cause toxic effects on your dog. Lighter fluids and grill cleaners can cause irritations to your pet’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract, so please keep these out of reach from your animals.

“While sunscreen is great for your skin health, ingesting sunscreen products can harm your animals.”

Fun in the Sun: To protect yourself from the sun’s rays, you may apply a heavy dose of sunscreen. While this is great for your skin health, ingesting sunscreen products can harm your animals. If your pet needs sun protection, please ask your veterinarian about pet-safe alternatives.

Flowers: If you plan to decorate your house or yard with flowers for Memorial Day, stay away from lilies, as they are highly toxic to your pets.

If your pet manages to consume any of your Memorial Day goodies, they may be in need of urgent care. Please contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline for further information and treatment guidelines.