Compost Pile Safety Risks for Dogs
Most dog parents are familiar with the challenges associated with keeping your dog from eating something that they shouldn’t, especially if you have a puppy in your home. We have all heard the warnings about keeping toxic foods out of reach and securing garbage bins to prevent your dog from unauthorized snacking, but those aren’t the only two places that your dog can be tempted by human food.
Your compost bin is full of “tasty” morsels in the eyes of a dog. The combination of food waste thrown in your household compost looks like a waiting buffet to your pup!
There are many risks lurking in your compost bin. Spoiled foods and fats from your food waste can cause digestive problems in your dog, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. There may also be food particles that are large enough to create a choking hazard. As the waste in your compost breaks down, the pile will grow bacteria, mold, and fungi. These elements are necessary for the composting process, but they can be very dangerous for your pup.
In addition to the compost pile itself, both commercial and homemade fertilizer products are toxic to dogs. Dogs that have ingested fertilizer can experience a wide variety of symptoms ranging from mild nausea to seizures and difficulty breathing.
If you suspect that your dog ate compost, fertilizer, or moldy garbage, you should call the Pet Poison Helpline immediately. Their veterinary professionals are available 24/7 by calling 1-800-213-6680.
Try to provide as much information as possible. This will help them determine how great the risk is and whether your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian. The sooner you seek medical care, the better the chance that your pet can be treated effectively.
As organic materials like grass clippings, leaves, and food waste break down and decompose, mold will develop. If you’re guilty of leaving a container of leftovers in the refrigerator a little too long, then you have already seen this firsthand. This mold can produce compounds called mycotoxins.
Some mycotoxins are well-known as helpful substances, including penicillin, while others are highly toxic and potentially life-threatening. Tremorgenic mycotoxins are a specific type of fungus that is often found in kitchen scraps and rotting food.
Common mold poisoning symptoms in dogs include:
If your dog is experiencing mold poisoning, there is no cure or antidote. Instead, your veterinarian will help to address the symptoms and offer supportive care while your dog passes the toxins.
They may induce vomiting if it is addressed early enough. If they have moved further into the digestive system, your vet may choose to provide activated charcoal to bind to the toxins and help pass them through your dog’s system with as little damage as possible. They can also provide intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and help flush the toxins out of the bloodstream.
The earlier that treatment begins, the better your dog’s chances. If you suspect that your dog ate compost, don’t wait to see signs and symptoms of poisoning. Seek help as soon as possible.
Find food that fits your pet’s needs
Dogs will eat all sorts of things, but eating dirt might be one that gives you cause for concern. However, eating dirt is a fairly common behavior among dogs. When pooches eat non-food items, whether dirt, grass, rocks, sticks or garbage, they may be diagnosed with a condition called pica, which just means that your dog is eating non-food items. If the only non-food item they eat is dirt, then they might have what is referred to as geophagia, according to Wag! But is your dogs dirt eating just a strange habit or should you be concerned?
Heres why your dog might feel compelled to chow down on dirt and why you should take the behavior seriously.
What Does It Mean When a Dog Eats Dirt?
The consumption of dirt is a relatively common and even normal behavior seen in dogs, especially in puppies or adolescent dogs that are just investigating the world around them. Dogs follow their nose, and often this leads them to digging, sniffing, or nibbling and consuming their discoveries. But when your dog is constantly eating dirt, or other symptoms of illness appear alongside it, your dog may in fact be dealing with a medical issue that needs attention right away.
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Is Your COMPOST PILE Poisoning YOUR DOG?
Oh joy. The things dogs eat. Yikes. Of all the things I have seen my own dogs attempt to wolf down (pun intended), dirt is probably one of the least disgusting. The pungent order of who-knows-what on their breath (oh my goodness, poop or vomit kills me!) just as they go in for a big kiss … Ew! You know what Im talking about. Yep, dirt isnt the worst one when it comes to having to smell it up close and personal.
Dogs wouldnt be dogs if they didnt do all sorts of weird things. Its these strange antics that often make us love them more. But, when you find your dog is enjoying mud pies or cannot seem to remove their nose from your plant bed, it can be concerning. Dirt consumption, or geophagia, can happen for lots of reasons. Luckily, the majority of times your dog chomps on Earth arent cause for concern. However, when it occurs frequently, or they select soil as much as kibble, it is time to make an appointment with your veterinarian.