Birds and Their Poop
Pigeons are pretty birds, but they can be a nuisance, especially if they poop everywhere. Did you know that pigeons (also called Rock Pigeons) are one of the oldest domesticated birds in the world? Who knew! They were first domesticated in ancient Mesopotamia over 5,00 years ago, though experts say they were domesticated over 10,000 years ago.
Pigeons have been useful birds in carrying messages during wartime; they’ve also been raised to eat. However, these days, pigeons are seen as more of a nuisance. These birds are also seen as an invasive species in some parts of the world.
Think of those lovely places in Europe that are filled with pigeons and statues or beautiful architecture. If there are hundreds of pigeons around, the architecture and statues will be lost under a covering of pigeon poop. Not very appealing, to say the least!
Is that pigeon poop poisonous for your dog? Can pigeon poop make your dog sick?
There are several organisms that could pose a potential danger, should they be inhaled, and not ingested. The primitive organism that causes psittacosis, Chlamydophila avium, can cause disease in pot-bellied pigs, house cats, humans and rarely canines, although unlikely.
The good news is that most viruses are species-specific, meaning that they inhabit a narrow range of hosts. So, even if your bird was harboring polyomavirus or even West Nile virus (which we are beginning to see in birds exposed to mosquitoes), droppings would not be infective to your dogs.
The organism that causes tuberculosis, Mycobacterium sp., could definitely be infective to dogs or other house pets, but again, the bird would have to be infected with tuberculosis to be able to pass it to other species.
I have two Chinese-Cresteds that also like to go “debris hunting” under the bird cages. Mine mostly eat discarded pellets. I am convinced that birds believe there is an unlimited food supply, so they just happily hurl food from the bowls, hoping for a more succulent morsel that must be on the bottom of the dish. I also believe birds are amused that they can provide tidbits to other house pets, giving them some degree of “control” over them. Never mind that they also call them by name or order them to “sit” or “stay” and call them “bad dog.”
The Salmonella bacterium could be passed in droppings from an infected bird and can cause disease in other species if ingested (not inhaled).
Side Effects of Eating Bird Poop
The thing is:
The effects of eating bird poop are mainly dependant on the type of bird that produced it. If it is a house bird, there is no risk at all. Pet birds are usually vaccinated, free of infections, and rather healthy. Therefore, their poop is free of viruses.
If the bird droppings were outside your home, there is a possibility of minor to major health problems. Problems can arise when the bird itself was infected or sick. Such birds’ poo is also a source of bacteria. In case the droppings did come from an infected bird, your dog could get affected by salmonella, giardia, histoplasmosis, and coccidia. However, it may take a few days for these problems to show up.
Similarly, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy are also possible side effects that may take a week or so to present themselves.
The good thing is:
Most healthy dogs have a strong immune system that can fight back bacteria. However, in puppies or dogs with a weakend immune system, the infection may win out.
The list of possible side effects from eating bird poop is not a long one. A shorter list means that the problems are easier to identify and treat accordingly. Your dog will only become sick if a particular virus affects dogs as well as birds. Certain viruses and bacteria can only thrive in specific animals. For instance, according to the USGS, dogs can contract the West Nile virus by being bitten by an infected mosquito, but they cannot acquire the virus by eating an infected bird.
The pigeon droppings ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have pigeons near your home? Does your dog like to eat pigeon poop? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve put together some information about pigeon poop and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!