Is your dog attracted to dead things? If so, you’re not alone! Many dogs can’t avoid it when they find something dead, including dead birds. We don’t understand their gross fascination, but some dogs simply love dead birds. Yuck!
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What happens if a dog licked a dead bird? Will the bird make him sick?
Has your dog licked a dead bird? Are you worried the dead bird will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog does something like this.
In this article, we’ll take a look at dead birds and whether or not they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
Dead Birds, Yuck!
While we find dead birds to be pretty gross, some dogs will head right over to them. Seeing your dog even nosing a dead bird is enough to turn your stomach. But what if your dog licks the dead bird? Can the bird make your dog sick?
Dead Birds & Dogs
Dead birds can carry some things that can make your dog sick, including:
Botulism: this is especially prevalent in water birds.
Toxins: it’s possible the dead bird could have eaten poison, which killed the bird. Toxins can include poison, pesticides, environmental toxins. It’s even possible the bird could have eaten a poisoned animal.
Salmonella: this is a common bacteria found in many types of birds.
West Nile virus: this is another infection that’s common in some birds. It is possible that the virus could infect a dog if he licked or ate the bird.
Now, this may sound all doom and gloom. We don’t mean to scare you! However, we want to make sure you know the risks your dog faces, even if he only licks a dead bird.
Having said that, we must say that if your dog just licks a dead bird, changes are very small he will get sick. However, read on to the next section to learn what symptoms to watch for in case your fur baby should become sick. Rather than getting sick with one of these (it’s possible), your dog may come down with some gastrointestinal issues.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms to Watch For
You may notice these symptoms in your dog if he becomes sick after licking a dead bird:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
If your dog develops these or any other concerning symptoms, then do call the vet. They will have the best advice on what you need to do next to help your dog.
Just to recap, in most cases, your dog will probably be just fine. While licking a dead bird is gross, chances are your fur baby won’t get sick! But do watch for any symptoms that may develop afterward and seek treatment from the vet.
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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