My Dog Ate Smoker Pellets – Are Smoker Pellets Toxic To Dogs?
Smoker pellets are one of the best things that ever happened to my grilling career, but it has certainly come with a price as there was a time my dog ate smoker pellets and a huge chunk of it, luckily, I was able to notice on time and got some help for my lovely dog, and he recovered perfectly, but this may not always be the case. Are smoker pellets toxic to dogs? let’s find out!
What are smoker pellets?
Smoker pellets are little cylindrical pieces of compressed sawdust that are used as fuel in smokers and pellet grills. They are responsible for a consistent heat source and impart a delicious smoky flavor to the food being cooked.
There are numerous types of smoker pellets you can find in the market and they are all a byproduct of different types of wood such as apple, cherry, mesquite, and a host of others.
The flavor you desire to achieve would determine the kind of wood you need to use. For instance, for a strong, smoky flavor, hickory pellets would serve just well. While if you’re looking to achieve a fruity taste, you’re better off with apple wood. You can get creative and combine whatever wood you like to achieve whatever taste you desire.
Smoker pellets have become increasingly popular among home cooks and professional chefs alike and for good reason! They offer a convenient and efficient way to smoke food, with minimal mess and fuss.
Are Smoker Pellets Toxic To Dogs?
Except if toxic additives are used in the making of the smoking pellets, smoker pellets are non-toxic to dogs.
However, upon ingestion in large quantities, smoker pellets can lead to your pooch choking, and it could also lead to intestinal blockage and other complications that may be too much for your dog to bear.
Just like with small hair ties, my dog once consumed a little number of smoker pellets that were kept carelessly by my wife, and he passed it in his stool without any harm being caused.
In cases of your dog consuming a large chunk of smoker pellets, do not hesitate to consult your vet immediately.
What ingredients are in smoker pellets?
Woods
As we stated earlier, various types of woods like hickory, cherry, apple, oak, and pecan are used in making the smoker pellets, in other to create differing flavors.
To ensure these woods are harmful chemicals and contaminants free and the taste of your food and the health of your pet is guaranteed, these woods are carefully selected and processed.
Binders and additives
In addition to the wood itself, smoker pellets may also contain binders and additives to help hold the pellets together and improve their performance.
Most high-quality smoker pellets use natural binders, such as vegetable oil or starch, which are considered safe for dogs.
However, some cheaper brands may use synthetic binders or additives, so it’s essential to read the label and choose a reputable product.
Flavorings and preservatives
To enhance the taste and shelf life of some smoker woods, additional flavorings are usually infused.
While these ingredients may not pose many issues to humans, it is certainly not suitable for your dog, especially if they are exposed to large quantities.
Reading the labels and prioritizing smoker woods made with natural products that are not harmful to your dog will prevent discomfort for both you and your pooch.
Risks of Smoker Pellets to Dogs
Ingestion of smoker pellets
One of the primary ways dogs can be exposed to smoker pellets is through ingestion. If your pet falls under the category of dogs that can get curious easily, they will certainly want to figure out how the smoker pellet feels on his palate.
If your dog is unfortunate to ingest some of these pellets they could be faced with the possibility of a choking hazard, and if the smoker pellet is made with other toxic substances, this could further deteriorate your dog’s health.
Inhalation of smoke or fumes
Another possible way your pooch could be exposed to smoker pellets is by inhaling the smoke that emanates during cooking.
This risk is reduced to the barest minimum when you are smoking the food in a well-ventilated space, but even at that, it is still pivotal to distance your dog from any area where you’re using the smoke pellets.
Contact with contaminated surfaces
Another potential source of exposure is contact with surfaces contaminated by smoker pellets or their residue. This could include the grill grates, cooking utensils, or even the ground around the smoker. To minimize this risk, be sure to clean up thoroughly after using smoker pellets and keep your pets away from the cooking area.
What are the signs and symptoms of smoker pellet toxicity in dogs?
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, pain in the abdomen area, loss of appetite, or diarrhea are what your dog can face if they are exposed to smoker pellets. The presence of a toxic substance or irritation of the digestive tract is usually the cause of the symptoms experienced.
Respiratory symptoms
When your dog is unfortunate to be exposed to smoker pellets, it could struggle to breathe, keep coughing, or wheezing. If your dog already has an existing respiratory problem, these symptoms may be more pronounced in them.
Neurological symptoms
In rare cases, exposure to toxic substances in smoker pellets may cause neurological symptoms in dogs, such as disorientation, seizures, or loss of coordination.
These extreme symptoms are usually a result of your dog ingesting a huge quantity of smoker pellets, which could possibly expose them to toxic chemicals.
How can pet owners prevent their dogs from ingesting smoker pellets?
Proper storage of smoker pellets
The very basic way to safeguard your dog from consuming smoker pellets is to properly store the pellets. A sealed container that is kept out of your dog’s reach in a heightened position where your dog wouldn’t be able to sniff them out, would be the perfect solution.
Supervision during cooking and cleanup
When using smoker pellets, always supervise your dog closely during the cooking process and cleanup. Keep them away from the smoker and cooking area, and be sure to clean up any spilled pellets or residue promptly.
Training and behavior modification techniques
As I have stated too many times that cause most of my articles on this blog, basic commands such as “leave it” and “stay”, when taught to dogs, can be very effective in preventing your dog from getting into numerous sorts of troubles.
You can also provide your pooch put some chew toys that are appropriate for them, but you can have them chewing on while you are cooking, you can try this tasty pumpkin seed treat for dogs, it can help redirect your dog’s attention from the smoker pellets.
Creating a pet-safe environment
Finally, creating a pet-safe environment around your smoker and cooking area can help minimize the risk of exposure. This might include setting up a barrier or designated pet-free zone, or simply keeping your dog indoors or on a leash while you’re using the smoker.
My dog ate smoker pellets, what should I do?
If your fur baby has just munched on some smoker pellets, there are certain things you need to do to ensure its safety and I will list them below for you.
Determine the situation
The moment you notice your dog has eaten some smoker pellets, you want to determine the amount consumed. Small amounts have a very low chance of causing harm, while large amounts will lead to tougher complications as I mentioned earlier.
Monitor your dog
After you may have gauged the quantity consumed, if it’s small, observe your dog from time to time to see if it’ll show signs of distress like vomiting, struggling to breathe, diarrhea, weakness, or pain in its abdomen.
The symptoms are indications that the smoker’s pellets may have obstructed your pooch’s G.I.
Give Water
Freshwater will help clean your dog’s system of the pellets ingested and prevent your dog from getting dehydrated. Also, the water provides relief to your dog’s throat if the pellets may have caused irritations. Ensure not to force the dog to drink the water.
keep your dog calm
The very basic way you can keep your furbaby calm is to be calm yourself, since they may mirror your emotions. Now, encourage your pooch to stay calm, and also ensure it gets enough rest.
Allowing them to engage in high-energy activities can make the complications faced even worse.
Prevent future mistakes
To avoid panicking, or causing your dog some discomfort from time to time, follow the advice I gave in some sections above keeping the pellets in a way or place where the dog cannot have access to it.
And when you want to smoke your food for that extra flavor, ensure your dog is not in close proximity or they are held off with a barrier to avoid accidental ingestion.
Above all, it is always best to consult with your vet as they would always be in the best position to counsel you on what to do that will restore your dog’s health
Final thoughts
Smoker pellets are great for grill lovers as I cannot imagine not adding extra flavor to my grilled fish every weekend, but since I have a multi-pet household, I am very aware that things could take a wrong turn at any slightest mistake, which is why I take certain steps to ensure my dog’s safety.
The major threat of smoker pellets to dog are usually ingestion, and dogs are not like cats, which could access almost every corner of the house, so it’s easier to keep them safe if you can just adhere to the safety measures listed above. Until next time, have a wonderful day.