What to do if your dog eats a bird
If you realize your dog has eaten all or part of a bird, the first question you need to ask yourself is was this bird dead or alive when found by your dog?
Although you may feel far worse about your dog catching a live bird, killing it and eating it, that’s the best option when it comes to the potential risk to your dog.
Dr. Corinne Wigfall, BVMBVS (Hons) and BVMedSci (Hons), veterinary spokesperson for Spirit Dog Training, notes, “It is not uncommon for dogs to eat birds or other small mammals when out for a walk or in the garden.”
And most of the time, that’s just fine.
“It’s safe to say that, in the majority of cases where your dog eats a bird, your four-legged pal will be just fine as they won’t face any consequences for it,” says Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM.
“Unlike amphibians, birds do not pose any toxic risk to your dog in case he eats one (dead or alive); however, there are still a few other possible risks that you may want to keep an eye on during the following days of your dog eating a bird,” points out Dr. Kong, DVM at WeLoveDoodles. “Some dogs’ digestive systems may not be suited for consuming raw meat which could lead to stomach problems like diarrhea and vomiting.“
Even if your dog has an iron stomach, there’s another risk: parasites. Birds, like other wildlife, carry a wide variety of internal parasites. Giardia, a protozoal parasite, can be carried by birds and caught by dogs. (And, take it from us, you do not want your dog to contract Giardia. Barli had a bout of Giardia once as a puppy, teaching us firsthand that, yes, there is such a thing a projectile diarrhea.)
Dr. Jamie Whittenburg (DVM), lead veterinarian at SeniorTailWaggers.com and Director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital, a full-service animal hospital in Lubbock, Texas, explains, “The risk of eating a live bird is primarily parasitism. Just as with bird droppings, eating a bird may transmit parasites to your dog. Gastrointestinal upset may also occur.”
Your dog’s size–and the size of the bird–may also play a role in the after-effects of your dog’s bird binging.
Dr. Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM, Advising Veterinarian and Writer for NotABully.org, notes that digestive issues are the most likely issue. “Eating an entire bird could cause GI upset like vomiting and diarrhea, just as you would expect with any large amount of novel food. However, whether or not GI upset occurs will depend on the size of the bird and the dog.“
Although Dr. Phillips explains that most of the time, the bird should pass normally through your dog’s digestive track, “Another concern is a blockage and again the size of the bird and the dog will be a big factor but a smaller dog that tries to eat a large bird could have trouble actually swallowing the bird.“
Will My Dog Catch A Disease?
It is unlikely that your dog will catch a disease from consuming one bird, especially if they are healthy otherwise. However, the risk is present and exists whether your pup eats just the head of the bird or the whole bird.
It is best to remain suspicious of the possibility of an infectious disease having been present in a bird if your dog is unusually successful at catching one. Wild birds are typically a lot faster than most dogs, especially ones that aren’t trained birders.
An infected bird might be more lethargic if ill. In fact, this may be the reason it’s possible for your pup to catch it in the first place! If you notice some dull-looking birds in the area, stay far away and keep an extra-close watch. Sick birds can more easily be nabbed for a snack. Here are the two diseases you’ll need to be most watchful of.
Wild birds will often carry salmonella in their gut. This is a bacteria that is found in undercooked poultry and is one of the reasons it is so important to clear all in-contact surfaces when working with raw chicken. Thankfully, studies have shown that dogs will often remain in good clinical health even if they catch Salmonella bacteria.
Still, getting sick is not impossible, and it’s a good idea to monitor your pup closely during the 48-hour period after consumption. Look out for vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in appetite. If you notice these or any other sudden changes in behavior that last longer than 24 hours, it’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a check-up.
Don’t forget that humans can catch salmonella. Your furry friend can then pass it on to you! The very elderly or very young are more at risk, as are those that are immune-compromised for another reason. Try not to let your pup lick faces and teach children good hygiene around pets.
Chlamydia is another type of bacteria that dogs can pick up from birds, particularly if they are in contact with their feces. This type of chlamydia has the scientific name “Chlamydia psittaci”. It is a respiratory bacteria and cannot be passed from dogs to humans. The symptoms of Chlamydia in dog include panting, difficulties breathing, and irritated eyes.
If you notice these symptoms after having had an interaction with a bird or eating a bird, inform your veterinarian and make an appointment. If your vet suspects Chlamydia, she will take swabs to confirm the diagnosis. Fortunately, this bacteria can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
If your pet insurance covers exam fees and your dog needs to be examined, there is a good chance your policy will reimburse those costs based on your policy details. However, if you are a new customer, vet expenses will not be covered until after your policy’s defined waiting periods, so signing up once you have an existing health concern is not going to help this time. Pre-existing conditions are not covered by any current pet insurance plans.
Like many dog owners, I have a dog who loves to eat. Dog food, goose poop, birdseed – you name it. Nothing very harmful in that, right?
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs include sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage), and diarrhea, according to the FDA. The liver is the principal organ affected, and some pets suffer liver damage without showing any symptoms.
The birdseed your dog is eating is most likely to be found underneath the feeder, which means the dog is also likely to be eating bird feces. Bird feces contain a variety of bacteria and parasites that can be passed on to your dog – most often salmonella. The resulting infections can cause minor or very serious attacks of diarrhea and vomiting.
Dogs who gobble up a lot of seeds at one time may give themselves an upset stomach. They can even cause a blockage in the intestinal tract that can lead to bloat – a very serious condition requiring immediate attention from a veterinarian.
It’s not unusual for dogs to graze for birdseed under a feeder. Birds are messy eaters, and many seeds drop to the ground. A few choice tastes of birdseed that is fresh are not usually harmful to a dog.
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Like many dog owners, I have a dog who loves to eat. Dog food, goose poop, birdseed – you name it. Nothing very harmful in that, right?
It’s not unusual for dogs to graze for birdseed under a feeder. Birds are messy eaters, and many seeds drop to the ground. A few choice tastes of birdseed that is fresh are not usually harmful to a dog.
However, seeds that are old or become damp may breed mold and aflatoxin. And suddenly, they can be very harmful for a dog to consume. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that, at high levels, aflatoxins can cause illness and even death in dogs.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs include sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage), and diarrhea, according to the FDA. The liver is the principal organ affected, and some pets suffer liver damage without showing any symptoms.
The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine reports, “Aflatoxin curtails the production of cholesterol and many proteins that profoundly affect blood clotting. Physical exams and blood tests are necessary to differentiate dogs that have been poisoned from those that have not. Unfortunately, the latent onset of signs may require that an individual dog be evaluated several times.”
Dogs who gobble up a lot of seeds at one time may give themselves an upset stomach. They can even cause a blockage in the intestinal tract that can lead to bloat – a very serious condition requiring immediate attention from a veterinarian.
Some mixes of birdseed contain raisins or sultanas (a type of grape). Grapes and raisins are known to be highly toxic to dogs.
The birdseed your dog is eating is most likely to be found underneath the feeder, which means the dog is also likely to be eating bird feces. Bird feces contain a variety of bacteria and parasites that can be passed on to your dog – most often salmonella. The resulting infections can cause minor or very serious attacks of diarrhea and vomiting.
It turns out that bird feeders require a lot of regular maintenance – filling them with fresh, new seed and cleaning and sanitizing them often. If you’re trying to feed the birds, but not your bird dog, take these precautions:
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