Dogs and Dead Animals
It’s common for dogs to be attracted to dead animals, and it’s likely they’ll snap a bite on a carcass of an animal that has passed on to a better existence. Whatever your feelings are towards this behavior (probably not the most positive) it’s important to note that it is highly dangerous. In this article we’ll discuss dogs and dead animals: why they’re attracted to them, what are the risks, hunting, what to do if your dog eats a dead animal and how to prevent it.
Why are Dogs Attracted to Dead Animals?
When it comes to odors, dogs are the most non-judgmental creatures on the planet. This is due to their highly evolved sense of smell. For dogs, smell is not “good” or “bad”, but a plethora of information that shapes the world around them. What to us is a “nasty” smell, to our dogs, is an invitation to explore.
The reasons dogs like the smell of decay may go back to their early days surviving as wolves in the wilderness. One evolutionary theory suggests that wolves used to lurk around smelly odors while hunting, this would explain a dog’s fascination with strong odors that we would consider repulsive.
Dogs and Hunting
Some breeds of dogs are called “hunting breeds” because they were bred to hunt. These breeds include the Golden Retriever, Beagle and the English Springer Spaniel. These breeds would be trained to play a “retrieve” game, where they would locate and retrieve fallen prey. Dogs would locate prey by their smell. Hunters would train their dogs to follow various commands made with whistles and hand signals.
Breeds such as some Terrier and Dachshunds were bred to locate small vermin and may have a natural inclination to chase and hunt rodents.
Can I Feed my Dog an Animal that I Have Hunted?
If you’re a hunting enthusiast, you’re probably hunting in an area that is natural, non-urban, where wild animals are not in contact with toxins such as pesticides. Though, this is never a guarantee because there’s no way for you to be 100% sure of what your prey has eaten.
The risks associated with feeding your dog a dead animal range from botulism (with birds) to other harmful viruses and bacteria that may be present in the flesh of the dead animal. Because of this, it’s best to just dispose of it or cook it following all the cooking precautions that a seasoned hunter will know about.
What are the Risks?
The risks associated with eating dead animals could be very dangerous.
Poisoning: Some animals may be poisonous, such as snakes, bufo (cane) toads and some insects.
Secondary Poisoning: Some animals, such as rats, mice, and pigeons, may have ingested pesticides that could still be present in their flesh and produce the same effect on your dog, which could be fatal.
Toxins: Birds and the carcass of small mammals may carry clostridium botulinum, a very dangerous neurotoxin that causes rapid-onset paralysis.
Bacterial Infection: Wild animals could be the host transmitters of bacteria such as leptospirosis, and salmonella, among others.
Parasites: Wild animals carry intestinal parasites (roundworms and coccidia) that can infect your dog.
Gastrointestinal distress: A mild intestinal irritation is the least dangerous risk, causing gastritis or constipation. Though, it is still an annoyance for you and your pet.
Rabies
While rabies can be deadly in dogs, they probably won’t get it from eating a dead animal. The likelihood of rabies transmission from eating a dead animal is very rare, unless your dog was bitten by a rabies infected animal in a fight.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats a Dead Animal?
The most important thing to do is to keep calm and observe the situation. Do not attempt to induce vomiting. Gather as much information as possible and contact your vet or vet assistant. You may be advised to take your dog in for an examination.
Take note of the following important details:
- When did the event take place?
- What animal did your dog eat?
- How much of the dead animal did your dog eat?
- What state of decay was the animal?
- What clinical signs is your pet experiencing?
Symptoms to Watch For
Here is a comprehensible list of clinical symptoms to watch-out for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of coordination
Intestinal Parasite Screening
Unless your dog is part of a heartworm, flea and tick prevention plan, an intestinal parasite screening may be requested by your vet to check for roundworms and coccidia. This is done through a fecal sample that you must take to the lab. Infection will take some time to show-up, so, ask your vet when to take the sample.
Prevention
There are many ways to keep your pet from eating dead animals and many measures you can take to keep your dog from getting ill if he does. Keeping your pets away from dead animals and supervising them all of the time may be difficult if you live in an area surrounded by wildlife. So, here are some important safety measures:
- Keep vaccines up-to-date: This will keep your dog immunized.
- Follow a worm and tick prevention plan: This will keep your dog covered if they get in contact with worms or ticks.
- Avoid using rat-bait: Do not use mouse or rat traps to avoid secondary poisoning.
- Consider using a basket muzzle: Train your dog to wear a basket muzzle if they are indiscriminate eaters. They’ll still be able to drink and accept treats, but will be unable to pick up things from the ground.
- Check the area thoroughly before letting your dog loose: This will allow you to anticipate the sighting of a dead animal. If you do see one, don’t let your dog loose.
- Leash-training your dog: This will help you keep them from going after dangerous odors.
The “Leave It” Command
One of the most useful commands you can train your dog is the “Leave It” command. This command will train your dog to ignore foods or other items it may be inclined to pick-up or sniff. There are many resources online on how to train this command. Make sure you have treats ready as you teach your dog to “leave it” and reward them for their good behavior.
The Cycle of Life
Death is a big part of wildlife and wild animals encounter it everyday. Keeping your dog away from these items as much as possible will save you and your dog a lot of grievance. Avoiding dead animals will make your dog’s kisses that much sweeter when you know they haven’t been sniffing or licking one.
