Summer—and the Fourth of July in particular—is a great time to have friends over for a backyard barbecue, but summer parties can pose potential threats to your cat. Follow these tips to help keep your cat safe during the summer and holiday fun:

Food: It may be tempting to give your cat table scraps during a summer barbecue, but refrain from doing this. All the seasoning and sauces used on barbecue food can upset your cat's stomach and make her sick. There is also the potential for your cat to consume raw beef or chicken during a barbecue, which could result in salmonella poisoning. Likewise, consuming unattended alcoholic beverages, even in small amounts, can cause serious health issues for your cat. So be sure to keep all food and beverages out of your cat's reach.

While barbecuing, keep a close eye on any lighter fluid or matches; these can be toxic to cats.

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