Is Bird Seed Bad For Dogs? Why and What To Do If They Consume It

Birdseed is a mixture of foods that are safe for either wild or domestic birds. The mixture can include dried fruits, nuts, and other seeds. You can purchase bird seeds from an online store or a brick-and-mortar shop. Birdseed’s have a wide range of nutrients, such as vitamin B, vitamin D3, vitamin A, and calcium. Based on science, bird seeds are ideal for birds, but your pooch can consume some. There are various reasons why your furry friend will eat birdseed: curiosity and being hungry. According to some studies, birdseed may not be dangerous in most cases, but you should prevent your dog from eating birdseed leftovers. The ideal way to prevent your pooch from eating birdseed is to make the place undesirable, keep your dog away, or offer other alternatives. Some dog breeds, such as retrievers and hunting dogs, are attracted to birds. Therefore, they may be drawn to bird feeders, where they’ll eat tasty seeds.

IS BAD SEED BAD FOR DOGS?

Birds are messy eaters; therefore, you’ll expect them to cover the yard with some bird seeds. As previously mentioned, your furry friend can hoover up some seeds without concern, but there are reasons you should consider before you let your dog eat bird seeds. Below are these reasons:

1. Moldy Seeds

Dogs shouldn’t be allowed to consume moldy foods, even moldy seeds. Some seeds may fall off the feeders and become moldy, especially after some time. Moldy seeds may contain hepatotoxins and mycotoxin that are toxic to your pooch. If your dog consumes birdseed, it will suffer from a condition known as mycotoxin toxicosis or mycotoxin intoxication. The most common signs and symptoms that signify your dog suffers from this condition include tremors and seizures. In addition, moldy bird seeds can damage your dog’s liver, especially in the long run.

2. Raisins

Birdseed’s mixes may contain sultanas or raisins. Sultanas play a significant role in improving your birds’ energy because they contain healthy vitamins. On the other hand, raisins can be toxic to your furry friend. According to scientific research, feeding your furry friend fresh grades can increase the risk of kidney failure and other chronic diseases. In addition, dried grapes (sultanas and raisins) may adversely affect your dogs. If your pooch is likely to eat bird seeds, don’t mix them with foods that contain sultanas or raisins. Many birdseed mixes contain dog-friendly foods, which shouldn’t cause any issues, especially when consumed in moderation.

3. Internal Blockage and Bloating

Based on science, dogs may suffer from internal blockage and bloating when they consume bird seeds without raisins. Gastrointestinal obstruction may occur because large volumes of bird foods clog up the intestinal tract. Your dog will undergo difficulties when digesting other foods. In some severe cases, you’ll require to visit a professional veterinarian. Your dog will undergo surgery to remove the intestinal blockage.

4. Bacteria

If your furry friend is eating bird seeds underneath the bird seeds, there are chances that it will consume contaminated seed mixes. Bird feces is the main cause of seed pollution. Scientifically, bird seeds contain many parasites and bacteria that can be passed to your furry friend. Contaminated bird seeds cause various dog health issues, such as vomiting, discomfort, and diarrhea.

5. Aflatoxin Poisoning

Your dog will graze for bird food underneath the bird feeders. As previously mentioned, birds are messy eaters; therefore, they will drop numerous seeds on the ground. Some fresh seeds may not be harmful to your dog, but you should be more careful because rotten seeds can deteriorate your dog’s health. Old seeds underneath the bird feeders breed aflatoxin, especially if the environment is damp. Aflatoxin is extremely dangerous to your dog because it can cause severe health issues or even death. Some symptoms of aflatoxin in dogs include loss of appetite, jaundice, sluggishness, and diarrhea. In addition, the liver is a vital organ that can be affected by aflatoxin, although your dog may fail to show any symptoms. Aflatoxin restrains the production of proteins and cholesterol, thus increasing the risk of blood clotting. Blood tests and physical examinations are important when differentiating poisoned and non-poisoned dogs.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG CONSUMES BIRDSEEDS?

1. Sprinkle the Ground with Spices

You can use various powders to distract your dog from eating bird seeds. For instance, sprinkle chili powder on the ground around the seeded section of bird feeders. Chili powder contains capsicum, which is vital in irritating your pooch’s nose. Try this option a number of times until your dog gives up. Before you sprinkle the ground with spices, consult a professional veterinarian. Your dog vet will evaluate your dog’s condition before rendering a verdict. In some cases, your vet will recommend a repellent like an electronic motion sensor device that triggers light, a squirt of water, a whistle, or other sounds that’ll distress your dog.

2. Move the Bird Feeder

If the main problem is at home, consider moving the bird feeder away from the reach of your dog rather than training your furry friend. This is because you’ll consume a lot of time in training your dog. Even if the bird feeder is out of the reach of your furry friend, birds will drop husks, shells, and seeds on the ground. Your pooch will therefore consume the seeds with ease. Bird droppings contain parasites and bacteria that can contaminate seeds on the ground. When your dog eats contaminated foods, it will suffer from chronic health problems.

3. Keep Treats in Your Pocket

If your furry friend goes after bird seeds during your walks, it’s important to carry a few treats. Feed your dog these treats, especially after pulling him away from seeds. In addition, you can use the ‘leave it’ command to distract your dog from eating bird seeds. If your furry friend obeys your command, reward him with either praise, caress, or treat. Don’t use a negative touch or yell at your dog because it can cause long-term effects. Therefore, opt for positive reinforcements.

4. Identify Likely Places

Before solving a problem, you should have an in-depth understanding of the root cause of the problem. For instance, if your dog eats bird seeds directly from the feeders, you’ll know how to restrict your furry friend. Or else, you’ll move the bird feeders to a new environment that your dog can’t access easily.

Conclusion

Bird seeds aren’t safe for dogs, especially if they’ve aflatoxin and mold. Therefore, you should consider the above ways to prevent your pooch from eating bird seeds.