Maybe it falls out of a birdfeeder, or perhaps you have a curious pup – but can dogs eat birdseed? Read this to keep your dog safe.
As you know, birds are messy eaters. If you have a bird feeder in your yard, you’ve probably already seen the seeds littering the ground below it. In this guide, we’ll look closely at dogs and birdseed and what to do if your dog eats bird seed.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating any bird seed.
- What Is Birdseed
- Can Dogs Eat Bird Food
- Is Bird Seed Bad For Dogs
- Is Bird Seed Bad For Puppies
- Is Bird Seed Toxic To Dogs
- Are Bird Feeders Bad For Dogs
- Why Does My Dog Eat Bird Seed
- My Dog Ate Bird Seed – What Do I Do
- How To Stop Dogs From Eating Bird Seed
- Dog Safe Bird Seed
- Final Thoughts
- More Dog Food Resources
What Is Birdseed
Before answering, “is birdseed bad for dogs” we need to understand what birdseed is.
Obviously, we’re talking about a combination of seeds and other foods people put outside for wild birds or in a birdcage for pet birds to eat.
There are two types of bird seed – pre-packaged bird food and homemade mixes.
If you have a dog, it’s going to be safer for you to make homemade birdseed. This way, you can control what’s in it and know that your dog is safe if they happen to nibble on some seeds that the birds leave behind.
What kind of seeds are in birdseed? There isn’t one answer to this. You’ll find everything from sunflower and safflower seed mixes to birdfood that contains dried fruit. There are even kinds made specifically for different birds and wild life.
Now that you know what it is, let’s look at how safe it is for dogs to eat.
Can Dogs Eat Bird Food
If you’re wondering if bird food is safe for dogs, you’ve come to the right place!
First of all, it’s not a good idea to give your dog birdseed. But if they happen to eat a small amount of fresh birdseed, it probably won’t hurt them. But this is only true if it contains dog-safe ingredients.
If the bird seed contains raisins, grapes, or macadamia nuts, then do not let them eat any of it, at all.
If the bird seed is made with dog-safe seeds, make sure that it is always fresh. Old bird seed could give your dog health problems like abdominal pain.
Is Bird Seed Bad For Dogs
As long as it doesn’t contain grapes, raisins, or toxic nuts, most bird seed is not bad for dogs. But there are a few things you should be aware of.
The most common worry about dogs eating seeds and nuts is the size. If you have a small dog and they eat a large piece of nut, it could get stuck in their intestinal tract.
One of the most common signs of intestinal blockage is a loss of appetite. If you notice your dog acting lethargic and not interested in food, contact your dog’s veterinarian.
Another big concern is the ingredients in the bird food. If it contains grapes or raisins, do not let your dog eat any of it. They have been known to cause kidney failure in dogs.
You should also make sure to replace damp seeds on a regular basis. Old bird food that contains moldy seeds is dangerous for dogs, even in small quantities. If they eat old food, they might get gastrointestinal upset and either vomit or have diarrhea.
Is Bird Seed Bad For Puppies
Even if the bird seed is safe for human consumption, you should keep it away from puppies. They have such tiny, sensitive stomachs that any kind of birdseed might give them an upset stomach.
Remember, large amounts of any types of bird seed are not safe for puppies. They could cause gastrointestinal obstruction. If you think your puppy ate bird seed that contains raisins or toxic nuts, seek immediate veterinary care.
Is Bird Seed Toxic To Dogs
The most dangerous type of bird food for dogs is anything that contains toxic ingredients (like raisins or walnuts). Wild bird food that has been left out is another real culprit.
As the wild bird food deteriorates, it might contain harmful bacteria that could give your dog salmonella poisoning.
Make sure you change the bird seed frequently and pick up any fallen birdseed too. If you ignore birdseed for too long, old seeds could get moldy and lead to aflatoxin poisoning (a poison from moldy corn and seeds).
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include liver damage, jaundice, and (in rare severe cases) death.
Are Bird Feeders Bad For Dogs
Whether you have a bird cage or active bird feeders in your yard, you must be aware of some very real dangers they pose for your dog.
The presence of bird feeders in your yard isn’t necessarily bad if you have a dog. The biggest danger they pose is bird poop from garden birds. Bird droppings and bird feces are a huge danger of bird feeders to dogs.
Keep the bird feeder and the ground area around the feeder clean if you have a dog.
People often like to leave dropped seeds on the ground for ground feeders – like doves and pigeons – to eat. But if you have a dog that keeps eating it, that will not leave any seeds for the pigeons.
Why Does My Dog Eat Bird Seed
It’s no surprise that dogs like to munch on fresh seed. Seeds are crunchy and taste like a nutritious treat. As long as the bird seed contains non-toxic ingredients, a small amount of bird seed is safe for dogs.
My Dog Ate Bird Seed – What Do I Do
Did you catch your puppy munching on leftovers from the birds? Here’s what to do if your dog eats bird seed.
The best course of action is to contact your veterinarian. Take note of what your dog ate, how much of it they ate, and how they are acting.
When you take your dog to the vet, they will take blood tests to see if they consumed anything that is toxic.
The quicker you contact your veterinarian, the better.
How To Stop Dogs From Eating Bird Seed
The best way to prevent dogs from eating bird seed is to move the bird seed somewhere your dogs can’t reach them.
If you have a tiny dog, maybe invest in a platform bird feeder. This way, it is out of reach of your dog. Test the height by measuring how high your dog can reach when standing on their hind legs.
You might also want to consider training your dog to leave bird seeds alone entirely. This can be done by teaching your dog to heed the “leave it” command.
Honestly, the easiest way to protect your dog from health issues is to either remove the bird feeders from the yard or fill them with dog-safe bird seed.
Dog Safe Bird Seed
If you want to feed wild birds and protect your canine friend simultaneously, then it’s best to set out bird seed that is safe for dogs.
These are the ingredients that are safe for dogs to eat in small amounts:
- Sunflower Seeds
- Safflower Seeds
- Sesame Seeds
- Flax Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Shelled Peanuts (safe if your dog doesn’t have peanut allergies)
Do not let your dog eat the following ingredients in bird seed mix:
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Macadamia Nuts
- Walnuts
- Raw Cashews
- Pistachios
After reading through that list, you might recognize them as healthy foods! You’re right; they have healthy vitamins, a good source of fiber, and healthy fats. Seeds are not junk food; there are a lot of health benefits.
Always read the ingredients in birdseed mixes or make your own.
Final Thoughts
Remember, large quantities of nuts or seeds are never a good idea for dogs. Large nuts or shells could cause an internal blockage. Change bird feeders frequently. Moldy foods are unsafe for dogs to eat. As long as it is made with safe nuts or seeds, small amounts of fresh birdseed is ok for dogs to eat.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are more resources about what dogs can and cannot eat. Stay informed and keep your dog safe.
- Can Dogs Eat Acorns
- Can Dogs Eat Flaxseed
- Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seeds
- Can Dogs Eat Psyllium Husk
- Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds
- Nuts Dogs Can Eat
Find lots of articles about food dogs can eat (and ones they can’t) here on Spoiled Hounds!
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