Can Dogs Eat Bird Seed?

A bluejay eating a peanut

If you enjoy feeding birds, you will want to watch your dog to see if she is sneaking food away from your feathered friends. Know which types of seed are safe for your pet to ingest so you can seek help for her if needed.

Allergies

A bluejay eating a peanut

Like humans, dog can develop allergies to foods such as peanuts. If your dog has a food allergy, don't let him have nuts such as sunflowers.

Corn

Cracked corn or corn meal is not harmful to your pet, but he probably will not want to eat it when you feed it to birds, even though it is a common ingredient in many dog foods.

Bacteria

Bacteria under microscope

Seeds that have fallen to the ground from your bird feeder could contain bacteria or salmonella that can sicken your dog. Bird feces also can contaminate the seed.

Digestion

Bird seed is not readily digestible by dogs, but is usually not harmful in very small amounts since it passes easily. Large quantities of birdseed could cause her to develop bloating, indigestion and severe diarrhea.

Fermentation

Old bird seed can fall to the ground and become wet, which causes the seed to ferment. If your dog digests fermented seed, he could become bloated and lose his appetite for a few days until it has been passed.

Vitamins

Birds eating from a feeder

Some birdseed is coated with a powdered vitamin on the husk that the bird normally peels away. If your dog were to eat these vitamin-coated seeds, she might also be eating an unusually high dose of vitamins.

References

• EN netlog
• Askville