Did your dog just surprise you by devouring a bird? Bird-watching is a hobby enjoyed by many, including our dogs. Unfortunately, dogs will often have other things on their mind when they are closely observing a bird in the garden. You may find that “watching” quickly turns into stalking, and then catching! Dogs eat all sorts of things they aren’t supposed to, so a bird should come as no surprise.
This drive is due to the fact that some family lines of dogs were bred as bird hunters. Think about the German Shorthaired Pointer, for example. Their pointing stance is instinctual and was historically used to direct hunters to the location of wild game. Labradors are another fowl retrieving breed, and these pups just have a natural instinct for birds! Some pet dogs will stalk birds even if they haven’t been trained!
So, it is completely understandable that some dogs will have a fascination with our feathered backyard visitors. Unlike mice, in most cases, those clever birds are able to fly away quickly when faced with a curious canine. In rare cases, however, it can happen that your dog is able to catch a bird and may proceed to eat them! So what should you do when that happens? Let’s jump in and find out.
In the majority of cases, your dog will be fine if he eats the odd bird. Unlike toxic dangers from certain amphibians, the dangers posed by birds are intestinal blockages, and bacterial diseases. Usually, the bones, and other parts of a bird won’t cause any harm, especially if the bird is fresh. Many people choose to feed their dogs raw, and their digestive systems are equipped to handle uncooked bones.
It’s when bones get cooked that it really brings trouble. Chicken bones from a cooked chicken run the risk of intestinal puncture, which can be fatal if not treated. The good news is, that more often than not if your pup catches the odd sparrow or bluejay and eats it, your pup should be fine.
You’ll want to contact your vet as a precaution and watch your canine companion’s behavior over the next 48 hours. Usually, any signs of an intestinal blockage will appear during this time. It may be beneficial do have an X-Ray done, which is why we recommend contacting your vet right away.
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“My dog ate a dead bird. Should I be worried?” While this may sound like a strange question, veterinarians hear it more often than you might think, and chances are that if youre reading this article, youve had the same question. What strikes you as gross and sad — a dead bird lying on the sidewalk — looks and smells like a surprise treat to your pooch, and before you realize whats happening, theyve gobbled it up. But could this be dangerous? Heres what you need to know.
My Dog Ate a Dead Bird, Should I Be Worried?
Dogs are more resilient than humans when it comes to eating things that are supposed to be a health risk. The good news is that you shouldn’t worry or stress over your dog dying due to this.
In most cases, you’ll likely be dealing with a dog that has an upset stomach. You can expect your dog to react by having diarrhea or vomiting. If that happens, keep monitoring your dog and check for other symptoms such as loss of appetite and lethargy.
If you observe that your dog is behaving normally, then there is nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if you see that your dog is behaving oddly after the encounter, you can take steps to manage his upset stomach at home.
Can Eating a Dead Bird Kill a Dog?
Serious effects such as falling very ill or even death is always the main concern for most dog owners who find their beloved fur best friends eating a dead animal. If you are greeted by your dog with a dead bird in his mouth, you can’t help but feel worried if he or she might die.
Just remember that in most cases, the risks are low for dogs that ate a dead bird or if your dog swallowed a whole bird, for instance.
Eating a bird that has been poisoned is a different story. In this case, your dog can also get poisoned and you may need to bring him to the vet as soon as possible.
You might also enjoy our post on What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Dead Snake
FAQ
Can dogs get sick from eating a bird?
Why does my dog eat dead birds?