My dog ate all the bird bones, too!
Even if your dog doesn’t have a sensitive stomach–and is plenty large enough to eat a bird with no issues–there’s still a potential risk of problems due to consuming the bones of the bird.
Dr. Kong explains, “Bird bones are light and often easily digested with the strong acid in the stomach, however, sometimes bones can remain undigested and create a foreign body in the stomach or intestines. There is also a risk of intestinal perforation if the bones are sharp-edged or fractured as they pass through the digestive system. Often surgery is needed to remove these bones.”
If you are worried, give your veterinarian a call.
Can My Dog Digest A Bird?
Most parts of a bird that get eaten will be able to pass through the gut without causing any harm. Bones and feathers are, however, indigestible. If your pup chooses to dine on a tiny songbird, it is unlikely that any of the bones will cause an obstruction due to their size. However, some birds are quite large. If your dog manages to get a hold of one that is seagull-sized, they may end up with a blockage.
A bone can cause problems even before it reaches the stomach! You may notice excessive salivation or coughing repeatedly soon after eating. This can indicate that a bone got stuck somewhere in the mouth or the throat and you should seek out a veterinarian’s help immediately. They can diagnose the obstruction and figure out the best way to relieve it.
It can take up to 48 hours for signs of an obstruction further down in the gut to become apparent. Look out for vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, or abdominal pain, and make a trip to the vet if they don’t resolve with a few hours. Feathers are less of a problem than bones when it comes to gut obstructions.
They are often delicate enough to pass through without any issues. You’ll just get to enjoy a few whole feathers present in your dog’s poop! Even so, if you have any concerns about something that your pup has eaten, contact your vet. They will be able to advise on how best to proceed.
Why Would My Dog Want to Eat a Bird?
Many dogs were bred to hunt and have been doing so for hundreds of years.
Some breeds were specifically bred to track birds.
This includes the Labrador Retriever who was brought to England in the 19th century and refined for hunting waterfowl.
The Golden Retriever’s attraction to water made him ideal for hunting ducks.
The Boykin Spaniel was originally bred by South Carolina hunters in the early 1900s for stalking wild turkeys.
Dead or alive, birds are seen as prey.
Even breeds who weren’t bred to hunt can derive great pleasure from chasing and eating birds.
They’re curious creatures and have excellent eyesight and an even better sense of smell.
Something that’s fluttering around them is fascinating to them.
All dogs are carnivores and it’s their natural instinct to chase, catch, kill, and eat.
Dog eat bird ono #shorts #animals
In the column Since You Asked in every issue of BirdWatching, Contributing Editor Julie Craves answers readers’ questions about birds and bird behavior. Here is a question from our March-April 2017 issue: