[MyFairLady]

Sorry I didn't know which topic it should go on, but my GDS, Lady, killed a squirrel and she ripped apart the squirrel's arm and wants to eat it.
Is it safe for her to eat it?
I'm worried about parasites...but she REALLY wants to eat it.

 

[Elaine]

I don't even want to think about the number of bunnies and squirrels that have met their end in my yard and that my herd has eaten. I would just as soon they don't kill and/or eat them, but it does happen.

 

[rjvamp]

Yeah, mine have gotten so many of them too. They haven't eaten them....they just like the squeak they make - they think it is a toy like the squeaking Kong toy. I try to teach them not too so I normally make a noise to get the squirrels a head start of getting out of the way! Several Bunnies though haven't been quite as lucky.

Don't know if they would have parasites or not. I guess it is possible. My mom used to shoot them off the porch for me as a kind and I would skin them and she would fry them for me. Of course I'm sure your dog would like to eat them raw

If they do have parasites (and probably could be safe to assume as they are little scavengers) then you might need to de-worm. Might want to check with your vet.

 

[Melina]

I have no idea about the parasite issue..If nothing else, it would gross me out for one of my dogs to eat a squirrel. I don't think I'd be giving them kisses on the snout for a long time after that.

Koda caught/killed a lizard in the backyard one time, though. I witnessed the whole thing, it was over before I could do anything to stop him. He picked up the lizard in his mouth and tried to run off with it, tail dangling and everything. I yelled at him to drop it and thankfully he complied so I could dispose of it before he got to eat it.

On another note: rjvamp - You used to eat fried squirrels? You're joking, right?? :crazy:

 

[onyx'girl]

Kacie got a squirrel tonight and ate the head. DH took the rest of the body away from her. Poor squirrel...

 

[shannonrae]

My mothers dogs caught and killed a kitten once. :'( By the time she realized what they had, it was too late the kitten could not be helped.

 

[Montana Scout]

what would happen if my dog killed a intruder cat? we have a 6 foot wooden fence and the **** cat keeps jumping it and freakin out our cat.... i guess if it went missing id just throw it in the trash... either the dogs gonna get it, or my .45....

 

[Deuce]

LOL let the dog eat it, they're natural hunters and carnivors after all

 

[MyFairLady]

Yay!
Thanks everyone, Lady already ate half of it

 

[Stosh]

Good for Lady! That's what being a dog is all about. My last gsd Omy killed everything smaller than her, we're talking Nutria, muskrats, rabbits, squirrels,raccoons, snakes etc. She ate quite a few of them, mostly the rabbits and squirrels, who knows what else. Uschi and Stosh have gotten rabbits, squirrels and ducks- much to my horror, a little baby duckling that they fought over, but hey they're dogs that live in the country. Bugs, can't count the bugs...if they can't play with it, one paw kills it then it's a snack

 

[AbbyK9]

I would mostly be worried about internal parasites, specifically worms, when it comes to our animals killing outside critters such as bunnies and squirrels. I live in an area where hookworm is a huge problem, so I have a fecal float done every time we go in for a vet checkup and worm when/if needed.

I am not so much worried about my cats because they operate a great catch-and-release program with the field mice that like coming into our house around this time of year, but I do worry about the dog who is the most likely to kill something. I do, however, hunt rabbit to feed the dog, and I freeze those for at least three weeks before feeding them to make sure parasites they might be carrying are dead.

 

[Stosh]

I agree- I should have said that my vet does a regular fecal checks since my dogs are hunters and we live out in the ginky weeds.

 

[doggiedad]

really, you would use a 45 to kill a cat that got in your yard????

what would happen if my dog killed a intruder cat? we have a 6 foot wooden fence and the **** cat keeps jumping it and freakin out our cat.... i guess if it went missing id just throw it in the trash... either the dogs gonna get it, or my .45....

 

[APBTLove]

really, you would use a 45 to kill a cat that got in your yard????

A lot of people would... While I wouldn't, I'd trap it, people should contain their animals.


As for the topic on hand.. As long as your dog is UTD on everything and gets regular fecal tests, I wouldn't worry TOO much, however if there's a chance of the animal he's eating is full of poison (like a rat who wanders in your yard, dying from poison = easy target)... I'd be wary.

 

[Dennq]

Cook it up for yourself. Squirrel is very tasty!

 

[Good_Karma]

If your dog or cat has eaten a wild animal, you can safely assume he has also eaten the internal parasites that are in that animal. I prefer not to medicate my animals constantly, and also prefer not to pay for fecal exams on a monthly basis. So no bunnies, mice or squirrels allowed for my dogs.

I did let Rosa carry home a very recently deceased chipmunk (road kill) one time, but she had to leave it outside when we got home. It magically disappeared by the time she came back out.

 

[JakodaCD OA]

not only internal parasites, but there is mange as well. My aussie got sarcoptic mange most likely from the little critters in my backyard

 

[LaRen616]

I guess I'm weird or something because I would not let my dog eat a squirrel or a cat. I am one of those people that will brake for a squirrel even if it meant I could possibly roll my car. There is no way I would let my dogs eat one. There is a bunny living under my porch and Sin went to chase it one day and I called him back and made him sit next to me and we watched it for a little while. Now when the bunny is in the yard Sin wont chase it, he just sits and watches it.

As for cats, I have 3 of them and I would be very upset if one of my dogs ate a cat, even if it was an outside cat. Not all outside cats belong to people, alot of them are strays. If you would kill a stray cat would you kill a stray dog?

 

[PaddyD]

Stand by for squirrel farts. Up to you whether you let her eat it, I usually take em away. Squirrel farts aren't as bad as possum farts. ;-)

 

[Wolfiesmom]

Wolfie doesn't eat things, he brings them to me like a little kid bringing his mom dandelions he picked in the yard. LOL! We don't live in the country so he doesn't get much of a chance to get anything. So far, he has brought me a mouse ( on a trap lol) and a squirrel. He catches the rabbit in our yard but he only pounces on it, and it gets away.