My Dog Ate Dead Bird: What Are the Risks and How Can I Help?

Affiliate Disclosure: Petpawshub.com site uses affiliate links when applicable. This site earns from the affiliate links (at no additional cost to you).  Read Affiliate Disclosure here

Most of the time, dogs shouldn’t eat dead animals because they can carry diseases and parasites. If your dog ate a dead bird, you should watch for signs of sickness, like throwing up, diarrhoea, or being tired.

🐾🐩 This post forms a part of my  Nifty Tips on -🦴 🐩How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Everything He Sees

If your dog shows signs of being sick, it is best to call your vet for more information. If you can’t reach your regular vet or the symptoms are serious, it’s best to take your pet to an emergency vet.

It’s also important to remember that if your dog eats a dead bird, it could cause him or her to choke. Make sure your dog can breathe well, and if you see any signs of trouble, act quickly.

My dog ate a dead bird. Should I be worried?

It’s a sad reality, but it’s not unheard of for dogs to consume dead animals they find in the yard or when out on walks.

To our great fortune, the majority of the time, the worst thing that can happen is some gastrointestinal distress (vomiting or diarrhea).

Be on the lookout for gastrointestinal distress (nausea, diarrhoea, or both), fatigue, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain.

If your dog is acting normally in every other way, you should be able to handle minor gastrointestinal discomfort at home by delaying food for 12 to 24 hours at first.

During this time of fasting, you are permitted to drink very modest amounts of water or unflavoured Pedialyte.

Return to a diet consisting of boneless, skinless chicken that has been boiled and white rice that has been cooked plain. Feed in little, regular portions.

If there is no vomiting, start by giving the patient one tablespoon of food per hour, and then gradually increase the amount.

Maintain a bland diet until there has been no vomiting for 48 hours and/or the stools have returned to normal, at which point you can gradually introduce the patient’s regular food.

Consult your local veterinarian if the vomiting and diarrhoea do not cease or if you observe any other signs (such as lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, etc.).

Why are domestic pets like dogs and cats drawn to the smell of dead animals?

Dogs and cats, along with many other kinds of animals, are hardwired from birth with the instinct to forage for food.

This method of surviving has been handed down from their wild ancestors, who would hunt for food and also scavenge for any accessible food sources.

This survival strategy has been carried down from generation to generation.

The odour of a dead animal can be particularly enticing to canines and felines since it indicates the proximity of a potential source of food for them. In addition, their sense of smell is significantly more intense than that of humans, which means that the odour of a dead animal might be significantly stronger and more enticing to them.

Additionally, it is only normal for domesticated canines and felines to consume the meat of other animals when they are living in the wild. In addition to that, it is a way for them to gain knowledge about the surrounding ecosystem and the other animals in their vicinity.

Therefore, when they come across a dead animal, they may feel forced to explore it, and they may even ingest it out of curiosity or as a means to gain more information about the animal.

However, it is essential to keep in mind that it is risky to provide your pet access to the flesh of deceased animals because these creatures might be infected with diseases and harbour parasites.

It is critical to keep an eye on your pets and observe their behaviour after they have consumed a dead animal.

If you observe any signs of disease in your pet, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

What should I do if I discover that my pet has eaten the body of another animal?

If you suspect that your pet has consumed the remains of a deceased animal, it is critical to keep an eye out for any signs of disease.

A lack of appetite, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting is some of the more typical symptoms that you should be on the lookout for. In the event that any of these symptoms are exhibited by your pet, you should get in touch with a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible for more guidance.

Even if your pet is not exhibiting any symptoms, you should still call your veterinarian to check if they need to take any preventative measures, even if your pet is not showing any signs of illness.

You should also make sure that your pet is able to breathe normally, and you should respond swiftly if you notice any signals that it may be in distress. Another thing to keep in mind is that eating a dead animal can provide a choking risk for your pet. It is vital to keep this in mind.

It is essential that the location where the deceased animal was discovered be thoroughly cleaned, and that you make every effort to block your pet’s access to the area in the future.

In general, it is advisable to discourage your pet from eating dead animals and to not let them roam freely, especially when you are not there to supervise them.

This is especially important if you are not around to supervise them. To maintain the well-being of your pet in all aspects, it is essential to keep your pet’s vaccines up to date and to take them for routine checkups at the veterinarian on a consistent basis.

What steps can I take to ensure that my pet does not consume any dead animals?

You can prevent your pet from eating dead animals by following some of these preventative measures:

When taking your pet outside, make sure it is either on a leash or contained within a safe location that is fenced in. They won’t be able to go lost in the woods and end up finding a dead animal thanks to this.
Maintain a tidy appearance in your yard and the regions surrounding it. It is important to clear any rubbish or debris that could attract animals on a regular basis, as well as any deceased animals that you come across.
Make sure that your pet always has access to a sufficient amount of food and water. If your pet is getting enough food, it will be less likely to be interested in eating a dead animal even if it finds one.
Toys and games are great ways to keep your pet active. A pet that is unoccupied and bored is more likely to get interested in a deceased animal.
Train your pet to respond to its name and come to you whenever you call it. This may come in handy in the event that your pet does find a dead animal and you need to act fast to deal with the situation.
Rewarding your pet whenever it follows your instructions and coming to you when you call it will teach it to pay attention to what you say and respond appropriately.
Get in touch with your animal hospital’s vet to discuss preventative care options including deworming and vaccines.

If you observe any symptoms in your pet, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or lethargy, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. It is important to perform routine checks to identify any potential health problems in your cat.

If you observe that your pet is drawn to dead animals and has the propensity to eat them, it is recommended to seek the advice of your pet’s veterinarian as soon as possible. It is also vital to be conscious of your pet’s behaviour and the environment in which it lives.

About Content Reviewer & Vet Expert OnBoard: Dr. Sara J at Hampton Vet Clinic. Dr Sarah is passionate about pets and loves sharing her knowledge and research with you.

At Pet Paws Hub, we strive to be the ultimate resource for learning everything about Owning & caring for your pet!

Learn More about Vet Dr. Sara

My dog ate dead Bird- [should I be worried ]