A Ferragosto barbecue with your dog takes just a few decisions made in advance: where your dog will stay (a shaded spot away from the grill and table), who will keep an eye on them (an adult on duty), what rule guests should follow (no feeding the dog), and what to do with leftovers and rubbish. Whether you’re in a garden, on a terrace, or at a vacation home, here’s how to plan the day.
A few days ahead: where your dog will stay and who will supervise
Draw a simple map of the space and decide where everything will go:
- Your dog’s base: a shaded spot with fresh water, a mat or bed, and one of their chew toys.
- The grill, hot coals, and table out of reach: use a pen or baby gate, or have someone hold the leash. Never tie up your dog and leave them alone.
- A quiet room indoors for the noisiest moments or if your dog is nervous.
- The cat, if you have one, gets a room of its own with a litter box, water, food, and a hiding place, away from the comings and goings.
Take turns assigning an adult to supervise the dog—for example, one-hour shifts, so the task doesn’t always fall to the same person. Their job is to know where the dog is and step in if they approach food or the grill. This matters even if your dog is usually calm: with lots of guests around, there are more chances for them to get hold of food. Someone else can keep an eye on gates and doors.
Your regular vet on a public holiday
Check your vet’s Ferragosto opening hours ahead of time and find a veterinary clinic you can reach in an emergency. Save the numbers on several adults’ phones and keep useful information about your dog handy: age, approximate weight, and any current treatments.
To find a nearby vet in advance, in the «Servizi» tab of the PawsPet app, choose the «Veterinario» service type and, if needed, the «Aperto ora» quick filter: this shows which professionals listed on PawsPet are near you. If the gathering is at a vacation home, you can enter that location under «Zona di ricerca» in the filters. The search does not guarantee holiday availability, emergency care, or open appointments: call to confirm before the gathering.
The morning of the gathering: grill, rubbish, and gates
Before the first guest arrives:
- put a barrier around the grill area;
- keep rubbish in a bin with the lid closed, or take the bags indoors or out of your dog’s reach right away;
- put guests’ bags containing food up high;
- check fences and gates, which must stay closed as guests come and go;
- take your dog for a walk or play with them for a while before everyone arrives.
During lunch: leftovers, bones, and generous guests
The most common hazards at the table and around the grill:
| What | Why to keep it out of reach | How to manage it |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked bones, skewers, and toothpicks | Possible injuries or blockages | Remove them from plates right away and throw them in the closed bin |
| Corn cobs, greasy foil, and cooking twine | Grease makes them tempting and, if swallowed, they can cause a blockage | Don’t leave them lying around: pick them up and put them in the bin |
| Fatty leftovers, sauces, and seasonings | Possible digestive upset | Don’t put them in your dog’s bowl: clear them away right away |
| Drinks containing alcohol | Left low down, they’re within reach, and alcohol is dangerous for dogs | Keep them on a high surface and clear away empty glasses |
| Hot grill and coals, even after they’ve been put out | Risk of burns | Put up a barrier and keep your dog away until everything has cooled |
At the start of lunch, tell everyone with a smile: «The dog isn’t eating from the table; we’ll take care of it». If someone wants to join in, only the adult on duty should give the dog treats. And what about a little piece of unseasoned meat? Barbecue leftovers are often seasoned, and if everyone makes their own decisions, the rule won’t hold: ask your vet before giving your dog food that isn’t part of their diet. Clear away plates and bones right away.
The afternoon: heat, noise, and breaks
During the hottest part of the day, keep your dog indoors or at their shaded base, with water always available and no strenuous play. If music and voices upset them, give them a break in the quiet room, with the door closed and guests told not to open it. If your dog seems to be struggling with the heat, take them to a cool place right away and contact your vet.
At the end of the day and if something goes wrong
First check the lawn and terrace for dropped toothpicks, bones, and wrappers; then empty the rubbish. If you think your dog has eaten something dangerous:
- remove what’s left so they can’t eat any more;
- try to work out what and how much they may have swallowed, and when;
- call right away your vet or the clinic you identified beforehand, tell them what you know, and follow their instructions;
- don’t induce vomiting or try home remedies on your own.
The morning-of checklist
Set up your dog’s base, close the rubbish bins, and appoint the adult on duty: three simple steps to enjoy lunch with fewer risks.
