While catching mice or rats is a natural activity for cats, it can be questionable for dogs. Rodents can be infected with parasites or poisons and eating them can result in serious gastrointestinal problems and poisoning. What if our dog eats a mouse? What should we do then? Read!
Dog ate a mouse – is it normal?
Is it normal for a dog to eat a mouse? Such doubts bother many four-legged carers. As it turns out, hunting mice and other small rodents is a natural behaviour for many dog breeds. In the wild, they were originally hunters and were designed to hunt small animals for food. Hereditary hunting instincts are still present in many domestic dogs, even if their main food source is dog food.
Why does your dog eat mice? Hunting mice can be one way for many dogs to express their hunting instinct and pass the time. However, it is worth noting that not all species exhibit this behaviour, as the level of behaviour can vary depending on the breed, individual personality and life experiences of the dog. For example, some dog breeds such as terriers (e.g. Jack Russell Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier and West Highland White Terrier) have a stronger hunting instinct. This is because they were originally bred to exterminate rodents and are therefore more likely to actively hunt mice and rats. Other dog breeds, on the other hand, have this instinct weaker, while some dogs may completely lack it. Examples of breeds that are generally considered less inclined to hunt mice are: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Beagle and Shih Tzu.
Poisoning in a dog after eating a mouse – symptoms
If your dog has eaten a mouse, do not panic, but go with your dog to the vet immediately. Poisoning can be dangerous for your pet as mice and rats can contain rodenticide poisons. These are chemicals commonly used to control rodents. Their function is to cause internal bleeding in rodents and stop blood clotting. If a dog eats a dead mouse, it can also absorb these toxic substances. The symptoms are then:
weakness, apathy
Internal and/or external bleeding
stools or vomiting with blood
increased thirst
convulsions
In addition to rodenticide poisoning, after eating a dead mouse, a dog can also become infected with parasites (e.g. tapeworms) that rodents naturally carry. The most common symptoms can include:
vomiting
diarrhoea
visible tapeworm larvae in the stool, anal area or returned food content
Poisoning by rodenticides as well as parasites is serious and requires immediate medical attention.
What should you do if your dog eats a dead mouse?
It can be risky for a dog to eat a dead mouse that has been hunted by a cat, especially if it has been contaminated with toxins or disease. It is therefore advisable to be cautious and react quickly if you notice any worrying symptoms in your dog.
Remember!
Do not, under any circumstances, give your dog human medicines, as some of them may prove toxic for him!
If your dog has eaten a dead mouse, contact your vet for an expert opinion and appropriate advice.
What happens if a dog eats a mouse killed by poison?
The consequences of eating a mouse killed by poison depend on several factors and are always a serious threat to our pet’s health and life. It is therefore so important to avoid situations where your pet may have access to dead animals, especially when it is uncertain whether they have been contaminated with toxins or diseases. Factors mentioned include:
type of poison,
the dose,
the body weight of the dog.
If a dog has eaten a mouse killed by the poison, symptoms can appear within just a few hours. These include vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, accelerated heart rate, convulsions or difficulty walking. If appropriate treatment is not given, the toxins in the poison will cause damage to the internal organs and the consequent death of the pet. Therefore, if you suspect that your dog has eaten a dead mouse with poison, contact your vet immediately. If possible, secure the remains of the rodent to hand over to the vet and establish the type of poison. This will speed up the action he can take to save your pooch.
Remember!
When poisoned by rodent poison, it is helpful to administer medicinal charcoal dissolved in water. The recommended dose is 3 tablets per 1 kg of body weight.
How do I teach my dog to eat everything on the lawn?
An important need of four-legged friends is to be able to get food. If they have constant access to food at home and their owners do not play with them to find treats or use behavioural toys from which healthy dog treats fall out, the animal does not have the opportunity to satisfy its natural needs. As a result, it will take to search for food on the lawn. In order to ensure your pet’s health and safety, there are a few steps that should be put in place to wean him off eating food he accidentally encounters.
Control your dog! Whenever you notice him lifting something from the lawn – react!
Teach him the command “Leave” or “Don’t move” and always reward him with positive reinforcement: praise or a small treat.
Make sure your pooch gets properly balanced meals. Sometimes a pet is tempted to eat from the lawn because it lacks certain nutrients.
Stock up on dog accessories designed for fetching. These types of toys will distract him from eating from the lawn and provide lots of fun at the same time.
Instead of getting upset that your dog has eaten something on a walk and is vomiting, it is better to take the time to teach your dog a behaviour that will stop him eating food he accidentally encounters. Walks with a trained pet will not only be more enjoyable but, above all, will reduce the likelihood of dangerous food poisoning.
