Taking your dog to the park for a picnic is a fun way to bond with your pup and add enrichment to your fur baby’s routine. It may go without saying, but dogs are the best type of pet suited for picnicking. Leaving your cat, ferret, rabbit, snake, or other type of pet at home when it comes to picnicking is best for them.

Here are 6 pet-safety picnic tips to ensure your summertime fun isn’t dampened by an unexpected emergency. Remember, VEG ER for Pets animal hospitals are always open, on weekends and hollidays, too, if your dog needs emergency vet care.

Should you bring your dog to a picnic?

When happy times in the park are happening, you want your pup with you to enjoy it, too! You may wonder though if it's wise to bring them or if it will cause a BBQ brawl or a campfire conundrum. No worries, we've got some safety tips for you that can help! Before you bring your dog to a picnic, review this advice.

Note: You know your dog best, so always use your best judgment when bringing your dog out in public places.

6 safety tips for a dog-friendly picnic

1. Think: can your dog be relaxed around people?

   Before bringing your pet to the annual town picnic or family reunion at the park, see how your pup responds to a smaller group in a familiar, nearby setting or your own backyard.

   
   

   Your dog may be overstimulated or overwhelmed by the sounds and activity of large groups of people, strangers, kids, other pets, food cooking, etc., if they’re unaccustomed to them. You’ll be better able to gauge your pup’s comfort level and stimulation threshold with a few controlled trial runs.

2. Keep your pet properly leashed in public places

   If your picnic is happening at a public place, such as at a pavilion or campground, keep your pet on-leash at all times, and please - NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES - they simply don’t allow you enough control over your dog.

   
   

   Why you shouldn't use retractable dog leashes at the park

   The line on a retractable leash cannot be retracted if your pup is pulling on it and there is tension on the line. So if your dog lunges or takes off, your course of action is to grab the line which can easily slice through your hand. Locking the leash if your dog is lunging or running can cause serious injury to your dog’s neck (think whiplash). Additionally, the mechanism on retractable leashes isn’t made for quick jolts or restraining, and can easily jam or break. 

   
   

   Check the rules

   Some campsites do not require dogs to be leashed when at the individual rented campsite, but rules vary. Always double-check with campsite rules before allowing your dog off-leash. 

   
   

   Pets may become easily overwhelmed during a picnic in a public location, so keeping your pet leashed is best for their safety and the safety of everyone in attendance. This will help avoid unwanted situations if your dog  were to get overly excited or scared. Anxiety, fear of fireworks or other loud noises, and even being excited can cause a dog to nip or bite a person or another dog. Avoid the mishap and keep them on-leash.

3. Set up a safe space for your dog to go for breaks

   Like people, our pets have different tolerance levels for stimulation and exposure. Make sure you have a safe, quiet place for your dog to retreat to if they become overstimulated.

   
   

   Also, be sure to have a cool place to retreat to if it’s warm outside (water should ALWAYS be available to your pet). Be aware of signs of heat stress/heatstroke in dogs so you can keep your pet safe and protected.  Frequent  breaks can help your pup  stay safe and make the picnic more enjoyable for everyone else, too.

4. Watch your dog around fires and grills

   Grills and fires can be enticing to dogs due to the smell of cooking food. However, they can also quickly cause burns if pets are left unattended around them, so keep a close eye on your pup any time there is a fire or grill in operation.

   
   

   If you’re at home, put your pup inside before the grill or fire is started. If you’re at another location, keep your dog safely crated, tethered, or leashed while there is an open fire in the area. Make sure all your fellow picnic guests know to watch out for your pet while cooking, too. For more on this, see our fire safety tips for pet parents.

5. Keep your dog indoors during fireworks

   If you plan to shoot off any fireworks, even the smaller home-safe variety, it is best to keep your pet safely and securely indoors while this is going on. Even pets who are not normally afraid of fireworks in the distance may be scared of hearing them up close.

   
   

   If you are camping or do not have access to a secure building or structure, keep your dog crated during fireworks and away from the main source of the noise instead. This is not a perfect situation, but is better than risking an escaped pet. And speaking of escaped pets, make sure you always have an ID on your pup, consider microchipping and online tracking devices for added peace of mind.

6. Do not share people food or drinks with your dog

   During a picnic, it may be tempting to give your pet some human food or drink. If you have family members or friends in attendance, or if there are small children at the picnic, they may also want to share. And of course, there’s always the risk your pet could grab a bite for themselves!

   
   

   While many types of picnic foods are safe enough for pets to nibble now and then, it’s best to avoid sharing with your pup during a picnic. This way, you can avoid the risk of your dog  accidentally consuming a dangerous food item or BBQ skewer altogether.

Call a VEG pet hospital if your dog needs immediate vet care

Preparing for potential hazards ahead of time can help keep you, your pet, and everyone else at the picnic safe and secure. But if an accident happens or you have any concerns, don’t wait to come in or call VEG ER for Pets 24-hour emergency vet hospital.

VEG has locations all over the country that are open 24/7, including holidays. Each VEG pet hospital location is staffed with compassionate professionals skilled in emergency care, who are dedicated to providing highly skilled emergency vet care.