Do you have a groundhog living near your home? Has your dog eaten groundhog poop? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!
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In this article, we’ll take a look at groundhogs and whether or not their poop can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is a Groundhog?
Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are large rodents who are famous for burrowing, digging, and chewing. They’re quite large at 20 inches long, with a 6-7 inch tail. They can also weigh between 6 to 12 lbs. So, these are not your normal small rodents, such as mice or rats. These are large rodents who have been known to be aggressive.
Woodchucks have brown fur, a rounded body, and a small, busy tail. They have short legs with curved claws just perfect for digging. And they have two very strong front teeth, which are perfect for chewing or biting.
Most groundhogs live in eastern and central parts of the US, as well as Canada and Alaska. They often dig burrows, where they stay during the day. You may see them out in the early morning and evening. They love to place their burrows in areas that provide a little cover, such as beside homes, trees, or hedgerows.
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Woodchucks are herbivores, which means their diet is mostly plants. However, they will eat insects occasionally.
If you have a yard or a garden, then you may see how it’s decimated if groundhogs are living nearby.
Do Groundhogs Carry Disease?
Yes; however, they don’t carry as many diseases as other types of rodents. Woodchucks can carry:
Rabies: this cannot be caught through eating feces. Rabies can only be caught from the saliva of an infected animal.
Tularemia: this is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria; symptoms of this infection can include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Headaches
- Skin ulcers
- Swollen & painful lymph nodes
Roundworm: this is a parasite that will live in the digestive tract. Symptoms of this infection include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Worms on the dog’s anus or in their poop
If you know or suspect your dog has eaten groundhog poop and is showing signs of being ill, then it’s best to call the vet. Your dog could be infected with a disease or parasite that was carried by the groundhog.
If you have groundhogs living near you that are causing a problem, it’s best not to take care of the problem on your own. These animals can be aggressive. Instead, call a wildlife professional. They can come and trap the groundhogs, then move them to a better environment.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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