This morning I had my dog Nickie outside in the back yard alone (he was on a drag line). He was only out there for about 10 minutes. I went to check on him and he was eating a bird (a dove)!

As soon as he saw me, he started gulping it down - I don't know if he caught it or if it somehow was already dead, although it smelled like fresh raw poultry.

Should I be concerned about this? He ate everything except the tail feathers. This is the first time he has had raw meat (I feed him Canidae kibble). Can he get any type of disease from doing this? Just think I should keep a close watch on him for any symptoms for the next 24 hours or so.

Me thinks doggie is trying to tell you something...


Feeding Raw EBook

Q&A--Raw Feeding

I bet it's fine. I would love for my dog to eat something fur, feathers and all. Just keep in mind that since he will eat WHOLE, it will be easier if you ever feed raw.

I don't know if it would disturb his stomach any since it is a first time. You said it smelled as fresh as a dead bird can get, right? A dove is a very light snack for a dog as big as him. I would watch, but definately not worry.

Thanks Rick & Michael,

At first he looked very guilty when he saw me but by the time I brought him back in the house, he had this huge grin on his face! My husband would probably freak out if he knew about it. That is the main reason why I don't even consider feeding raw.

Maybe after this passes and absolutely nothing happens, except for a happy dog, you can let your husband know that it happened. And no one died.......except the bird. Mmmmmm!

Can't hurt.

I'm constantly amazed at what goes in and doesn't come out of my pup.

 Quote: diane joslin

At first he looked very guilty when he saw me but by the time I brought him back in the house, he had this huge grin on his face!

Why would your dog feel guilty about eating the most healthy, balenced snack available!?

 Quote: diane joslin

My husband would probably freak out if he knew about it. That is the main reason why I don't even consider feeding raw.

Is it the "germ" thing? Remember, kibble can easily contain bacteria:

Kibble Facts

Also, you can feed outside, and if hubby doesn't want a doggy kiss, well, he doesn't have to get one then!

I think your dog is telling you it wants a raw diet!

I think Nickie had a guilty look at first by my reaction - first off I was upset that he had obviously killed a bird (at least I think he did - I didn't actually see it happen). Then second of all, he would not come to me (big surprise!) and when I was able to step on the drag line and get close to him, he crunched the bird (yuk - I had never heard that sound before! - guess all of you raw food people think nothing of it), then he proceeded to gulp it down as quick as he could.

Also, the idea of feeding him outside is absolutely out of the question - here in Las Vegas we have millions of tiny black ants outside. I don't like to use any type of pesticides with animals around and even when we had a monthly exterminator service, they were never able to completely get rid of the ant problem.

This morning I had tiny ants coming out of the electrical switch plate in my kitchen! So the first half hour after getting up, I was spraying and wiping up ants! (I use a solution of Murphy's Oil Soap and water to spray them - knocks them out & it is non-toxic around food or pets.

The issue of raw feeding with my husband is not the germ thing - he is just very squeamish about such things. Can't teach an old (human) dog new tricks!

Diane, just stick the raw food in Nickie's crate when you feed him... otherwise dogs tend to take their meaty bones for a walk before eating them in random spots around the house

As for your husband, just tell him not to watch!

If your dog is eating in his crate, you can simply throw a blanket or towel over the crate and turn on the radio. That way your husband won't have to see or hear any of the crunching and ripping going on during meal time. Hehe.

(If that doesn't work, just tease him for being such a weenie and question his manhood - he'll get used to the raw feeding thing anyway, everyone does)

Your dog isn't going to pick up "diseases" from eating raw food, especially if you only feed him human grade stuff. He could potentially pick up worms from eating the intestines of wild animals, but he's far more likely to pick up worms from running around where other dogs have been pooping anyway.

Don't worry about the germs either. I take the basic sanitary measures when handling raw meats for my dogs and am careful not to cross contaminate anything else in the kitchen.

That's about it though. My dogs will rip and tear into their food and will get it all over their paws, faces and bellies by the time they're finished and I don't bother bathing them or disinfecting them before I play with them, pet them, let them lick me and lie next to me.

I've never been healthier and neither have they! None of us ever get sick, even when exposed to other sick people/dogs... so yeah, don't worry so much

Just be sure to wash your hands if you're going to be sticking your fingers into your mouth after handling raw chicken... lol

Thanks Yuko,

I always enjoy reading your posts - you have such down-to-earth advice on so many subjects! So far no ill effects from Nickie eating that bird yesterday - he seems to be looking at the doves in our yard with a renewed interest!

The only other "wild life" that he might possibly catch and eat would be small lizards. Do you know if they emit some kind of poison when they are cornered? He has come close to catching one already.

As far as knowing the proper sanitation methods of handling raw food, I worked as a secretary in the food & beverage department of a large hotel here for nearly 25 years so I am very much aware of the proper food handling techniques. Most of it is common sense anyway!