You were walking and suddenly your dog stopped, seemingly eating something – and it turned out to be a dead bird. Or perhaps your dog chased a live bird and, despite your best efforts, consumed part of the bird before you could reach it.
What should you do? Do you need to worry? We reached out to several vets to answer that question, one that almost every dog lover has at one point or another.
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?
While you may feel much worse when your dog catches a live bird, kills it, and eats it, it’s the best option when it comes to the potential danger to your dog.
Dr. Corinne Wigfall, BVMBVS (Hons) and BVMedSci (Hons), veterinary spokesperson for Dog trainingnotes, “It is not uncommon for dogs to eat birds or other small mammals on walks or in gardens.”
And most of the time, that’s just fine.
But that’s not always the case.
Dr Sabrina Kong, DVM said: “It’s safe to say that, in the majority of cases where your dog eats a bird, your four-legged friend will be fine as they won’t have to face any consequences. which fruit.
“Unlike amphibians, birds do not pose any toxic risk to your dog in the event that he eats one (dead or alive); however, there are still some other possible risks that you may want to watch out for in the following days when your dog eats a bird,” said Dr. Kong, DVM at WeLoveDoodles. “Some dogs’ digestive systems may not be suitable for consuming raw meat, which can lead to stomach problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.“
Even if your dog has an iron stomach, there is another risk: parasites. Birds, like other wild animals, carry a variety of internal parasites. Giardia, a single-celled parasite, can be carried by birds and captured by dogs. (And, take it from us, you do Not want your dog to have Giardia. Barli was once suffered by Giardia as a puppy, teaching us firsthand that, yes, there is such a thing as bullet 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 raw poultry is primarily due to parasites. Just like with bird droppingsEating a bird can transmit the parasite to your dog. Digestive disturbances may also occur.
How big is your dog?
The size of your dog – and the size of the bird – can also play a role in the consequences of your dog being intoxicated.
Dr. Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM, Veterinarian Advisor and Writer for NotABully.org, note that digestive problems are the most likely problem. “Eating a whole bird can cause GI upset like vomiting and diarrhea, as you would expect with any large amount of new food. However, whether GI discomfort occurs will depend on the size of the bird and dog.“
Although Dr. Phillips explains that most of the time, the bird should pass through your dog’s digestive tract normally, “Another concern is congestion and again the size of the bird and the dog will be an important factor but A smaller dog trying to eat a large bird may have trouble actually swallowing the bird.“
My dog ate bird bones!
Even if your dog doesn’t have a sensitive stomach – and is old enough to eat a bird without problems – there is still a potential risk of problems from eating. skeletal of birds.
“However, bird bones are light and generally easy to digest thanks to the strong acid in the stomach. sometimes bones can remain undigested and create a foreign body in the stomach or intestines. There is also a risk bowel perforation if the bones are sharp or broken as they pass through the digestive system. Often surgery is needed to remove these bones.”
If you are concerned, call your veterinarian.
What if my dog eats a dead bird?
OK, what if your dog comes across died birds and start snacking… what should you do?
The problem with your dog eating a dead bird is more complicated than eating a live bird for two reasons:
- How long has the bird been dead?
- How did the bird die?
If the bird has been dead for a long time, that is a risk.
Dr. Wigfall explains, “The first thing to evaluate is the size of the bird and the state of decay. Any signs of decomposition and your dog may develop gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhea. They are usually mild and clear up within 1-3 days”.
Contact and decomposition create opportunities for parasites, maggots and bacteria to enter the dead bird’s body – and be consumed by your dog.
“Your dog can also get sick if the bird happens to be infected with some pest or bacteria (most likely if the bird has been dead for a long time), not to mention another simple risk. simpler but likely appears to be intestinal. Dr. Kong warned.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM, a veterinarian who works with hepper.comexplains, “Most popular [risk] will Salmonella live in the digestive system of birds. However, most dogs are better at handling this bacteria than humans. The real risk is for dogs with other health conditions.”
And just plain spoiled meat is another potential hazard. Dr. Whittenburg notes, “Meat poisoning can be a problem but it’s very rare. If your dog shows any signs of illness after consuming a dead bird, please take them to the vet as soon as possible.”
How did the bird die?
If the bird your dog ate has died because it flew into a window or was hit by a car, that’s not a risk to your dog – but what if the bird died of poisoning? ?
“Always watch for signs that chemicals have been sprayed or decoyed to destroy pest populations,” says Dr. Kong. “If a bird has ingested poison, the poison will remain in their tissues/gastrointestinal tract and can cause similar effects to your dog if ingested in strong enough quantities.
“If relevant, contact pet poison helpline or the nearest veterinary clinic for more advice on what to do. Take a picture or bring any remaining flesh to the veterinary clinic so that the veterinary team can gather more information that can help with your dog’s treatment. “
Whether you prefer to feed birds at your home or just come across birds on your daily dog walks, keep an eye out for birds — both dead and alive — and prevent your dog from eating them. Both the birds – and your dog – will thank you!
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