A vet named Ben has issued an urgent message to any pet owners planning to enjoy a barbecue this weekend, as many might not know of one dangerous risk that could put their pet's life in danger08:12, 24 Jul 2026Updated 08:12, 24 Jul 2026Summer is here and the weather is nice and sunny, so many will be tempted to invite some friends or family over to enjoy a barbecue in the garden. But one vet has now urged all pet owners to think twice before letting their pets near the food when cooking outdoors.‌While many won't even think twice about bringing their pets, such as a cat or a dog, into their garden to spend time with them when they're having a summer barbecue, many might not realise it comes with several hidden dangers for your pet. Taking to social media, one vet named Ben has shared urgent advice to all pet owners about what could happen if your dog gets too comfortable around your food.‌"If you have a dog and you are having a barbecue, you need to be really careful about these wooden kebab sticks," Ben said in his video. He went on to share that, back when he'd just graduated as a vet, a cocker spaniel had come in to the veterinarian clinic with a firm lump on the back of its ribcage.‌"Well, we didn't really know what it was," Ben said. "This dog was only, like, one, and we took a sample of the lump. It came back as just with inflammatory cells."Content cannot be displayed without consentThey went on to do an x-ray, but still couldn't find the cause of the lump. They then decided to refer the dog to a CT scan, which soon showed the horrifying cause.‌"This spaniel had swallowed an entire wooden kebab stick, which had penetrated the wall of the stomach," Ben revealed. "And what the lump was was an inflammatory reaction around the tip of the kebab stick, which was skewering through the diaphragm.""Luckily, it avoided any major blood vessels or internal organs and was just poking out next to the ribs," Ben added.Thankfully, the dog went on to live another day, as it went through surgery to remove the wooden stick and repair the damage it had caused, with Ben saying it had recovered well.‌Now, Ben has urged all pet owners to think twice about the things they choose to put on the barbecue, saying: "If you have a dog like a spaniel or a Labrador, a dog that would eat anything, basically, then be careful."How to keep pets safe during a barbecueWhile having a pet shouldn't stop you from having a barbecue in your garden, there are things you can do to make sure they stay safe. Vet charity People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) shared some easy steps for making sure you can all enjoy a nice summer barbecue.The first thing they recommend is to secure the garden where you'll be cooking, making sure all fences are robust and there aren’t any dangerous plants that curious pets may investigate when your back is turned. Doing these checks ahead of time means you can relax and know your pet is safe in the garden and having as much fun as you.Article continues belowYou should also make sure there is a safe, quiet space where your pet can go to relax if they get overwhelmed. They explained that, while dogs are usually excited to be around new people, they can easily get worked up or too hot. In these cases, you should look out for the warning signs and guide them to the quiet space as needed.They also urge pet owners to keep their animals away from the barbecue and any hot equipment. Since barbecues stay hot for a long time after you've finished cooking your food, you should take steps to make sure pets can't get near it, and never leave animals on their own or unsupervised near any hot food or equipment. The smoke can also have a negative effect on their lungs, which is another reason they shouldn't be near the barbecue.The PDSA also urges people to resist the begging eyes and cute faces and avoid giving pets any of your food. Instead, distract them with a healthy chew to chomp on or a fun toy to play with.