Um, is bird seed really bad for dogs?

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Maggie Mutt will not stop eating bird seed!

Her tummy doesn't seem to be upset, poops are normal, thank goodness. She is determined to eat seed hulls and anything else she can find under the bird cage. She even ate an old, stale Nutriberry that had rolled under the couch. :x

This is the overweight dog who moved in with me in September. She lost 2 1/2 pounds in 3 months which is a safe, reasonable rate for a dog her size according to her vet. She gets dry (diet) dog food twice a day and she gets doggie treats a couple of times a day.

Anyone else have a dog who eats bird seed off the floor? Should I try to stop her? Or should I just be happy that I don't have to vacuum as frequently?

[kimsbirds]

Welcome to my world! My 3 dogs all clean up various bird stuff that gets tossed or dropped outta their cages. Since the dang birds eat better than ME, I figure it can't hurt the dogs! A few pellets, empty seed shells etc...no biggy IMO, but if its' really bugging you, ask your vet...and you can both laugh together:rofl:
Jessie lost all her extra doggy weight despite supplementing with bird food and cat poopins....:x
Good Luck !

[DebSpace]

My dogs don't eat it excessively because they rarely have access to the birdroom, but when they do, they "graze" on seed. I just tease them (you're macho dogs and you're eating BIRD seed, you silly weenies).:lol :rotfl:

[bellarains]

Yep,

My dog patrols around the bird cages on a regular basis. Of course, Cappie likes to "drop" her out a little tidbit here and there, and I have one of those dogs that will eat just about anything:rolleyes:

On the upside, I don't guess bird see is very fattening:lol

[linda040899]

I have 2 doggie vaccuum cleaners that live with me, too! Sam, my adopted dog, loves any birdie leftovers and he makes the rounds several times/day. Samantha, my foster dog, has caught on very quickly! If Sam misses anything, Samantha makes sure that nothing goes to waste!! :D

[Janie]

Jennifer, if bird seed and left over birdie bread that falls to the floor was bad for dog, my Chelsea would not be alive today! She checks the bird room floor every half hour. :whistle: And I do give her a bite of birdie bread every day and do add pellets to that.

[Zorro]

MacIntosh, my westie, scoops up most of the pellets around the birdcages. Sydney the cockatiel actually waits until MacIntosh is in front of his cage and then drops an Avicake out of the cage for him!

[Tango's_Mom]

My dog Drake comes into the bird room at least a couple times a day when I'm in Milton on weekends and cleans up whatever Tango may have dropped, I think he's even eaten a few feathers in the process:whistle: I also will offer him birdie bread when I'm getting it ready for Tango, He loves it, it's one treat they definately agree on. I'm pretty sure Drake would eat a Nutriberrie, but that's something that Tango takes no risks with, he loves nutriberries and keeps them all firmly within his grasp.

[Tapestry]

In order for proper digestion of grains to take place, they must be softened or broken down by means of cooking, sprouting or rigorous chewing. In dogs, this doesn't happen.

I've heard that grain consumption in dogs may weaken the immune system, and cause allergies to develop... as well as a host of other maladies and irritations. However, you should bear in mind that this information corresponds to the idea of feeding grains as part of the dog's staple diet.

I imagine that any damage would be dependent on the size of the dog, among other factors. My boyfriend's Chihuahua eats discarded pellets from the floor, but I don't feed enough seed for him to get to it.

I'd try to stop the dog from eating seed, in the name of caution. It would also be worth researching this a little more thoroughly than I've done - or ask your vet.

[Peaches_birdie]

Our dog also eats bird seed off the floor... It is way to hard to stop him you would have to be sweeping the floors almost 24/7 to stop him... also i know that feeding dogs a lot of grain is not good for dogs, which is why i switched our dog to all natural dog food which the main ingredient was meat... In most dog foods these days the main ingredient seems to be corn! I couldn't believe it...and wondered if that was why he was puking a lot... and switched him to one that has mostly chicken, no puking...

Our dog also enjoys eating bunny poo... :x

[Finnysmommie]

When my 2 mini schnauzers first started eating the seeds that finny "throws out" I was really concerned and would shooo them away. After a while I figured out that it was doing them no harm. Now I am greatful to have the "cleaning help". I hardly ever have to vacuum around the bird cage because Sammy and Teddy eat the seeds, pellets, feathers etc.. I think Funny and Reilly are greatful also because neither of them really cares for the sound of the vacuum.

[Tapestry]

Our dog also eats bird seed off the floor... It is way to hard to stop him you would have to be sweeping the floors almost 24/7 to stop him...

Feed pellets instead? :p


Our dog also enjoys eating bunny poo... :x

:omg: Mine likes bird poo.

[Buy A Paper Doll]

So cat poop, bird poop, bunny poop, etc. are also "staples" in a dog's diet, then. Well ... ok.

I will now share a really gross story so if you are eating you need to stop reading now.

Seriously.

The Mutt was wandering in the easement behind my house on Thanksgiving day when she happened upon a large, dried out piece of dog poop. She proceeded to carry her prize around in her mouth like a cigar. :x Hubby and I were not amused. When she saw our horrified reaction, she made a game of keep away with it, running around the yard with dried poop hanging out of her mouth, hubby and I chasing her, alternately screaming, gagging, and laughing. He eventually managed to catch her but could not get her to drop the poop ... and he certainly wasn't going to take it away from her. That would involve actually touching it. :x But I couldn't get within 4 feet of the dog without gagging. Finally I managed to get to her from behind, and put my finger in the back of her mouth, causing her to drop the poop. Then hubby grabbed a shovel and disposed of the poop, the dog gleefully running in circles around him, me still gagging. She must have thought that was the Best Game Ever.

[Peaches_birdie]

Quote:
Feed pellets instead?

----Then our dog would eat the pellets then too. ;)


Our dog also eats bunny pellets and fish food... I think dogs will eat almost anything... it is just our job to try to stop them. ;)

[Susan27]

My dogs aren't very interested in my bird food. They do get to clean up after popcorn parties and that makes them VERY happy.

Um...Dogs are gross. When Winston was a puppy, my Father babysat him while I took my Mom out...never again. Winston had gotten to the kitty litter, and my Dad ended up having to pick out all the 'goodies' from Winston's baby teeth....My Mom and I laughed...Dad didn't...Winston wasn't allowed to visit for quite some time.:rofl:

[ottermom]

So cat poop, bird poop, bunny poop, etc. are also "staples" in a dog's diet, then. Well ... ok.



Don't forget horse poop and hooves!!

[dovelady4]

You guys have goofy dogs. I have a great dane/ mastiff mix (we're talking BIG puppy) who will eat anything he can find. I have yet to see him eat bird seed. Then again, he's a complete wimp. Seems like all of you guys have "macho" dogs. :p

[Buy A Paper Doll]

LOL I caught my "macho" dog trying to eat a suet cake outside. :x I had to put a stop to that immediately.

[Asue]

As far as eating poop from any animal... as long as the animal in question doesn't have worms or is ill ( disease/ infections can sometimes be passed in droppings, i.e... tapeworm ) the dog should be ok.
I said "Should Be".

Lola likes to nibble on whatever she finds on the floor. I keep a swifter carpet flick near Mikey's cage, a mini hand vacc. too! And I vaccume twice a week all carpets in the apt. < this helps keep the flea problem down, 'cause we don't EVER use foggers or sprays inside. >
Once Lola the Boston Terrier ate an orange crayon. I was flipping out cause she only puked up part of it. It was soy based and the vet said she'll pass the rest... it looked like two logs of brown and orange play doh wrapped around each other in the lawn. lol :x

[Bella]

Snifter, my pug, licks up dropped seeds from the floor. They just pass straight through him as far as I can tell. If I did not clean up after him in the park everyone would know as his poops are studded with seeds!

[bellarains]

There's Bella!!!!!!

I've been wondering where you were. Now, I know. You've been out in the park pickin-up-poop:lol

Good to see ya. Let us know how the fids are doing, and oh yeah, we could use some updated pics. You know, pics of fids, pics of the pug, etc.....:)

[Asue]

Eww...:x Rolls in seed? Weird pup-pup. lol