Many animals know which foods they can eat that are good for them and which ones they need to avoid. They can instinctively select what they need to eat to fuel them for the day, and birds are no different. But how do we know what to feed them to help birds thrive in our yards?
A common question for many bird and pooch lovers is, can birds eat dog food? This is because many owners have leftover dog food that can go to waste. Plus, dog foods are created to give our furry friends the calories and nutrients they need, so it’s thought to do the same for other animals, like birds. Discover if you can help our feathered friends with your dog’s leftovers and if it’s beneficial for them.
Can birds eat dog food?
Surprisingly, birds can eat dog food of all different types. In fact, birds choose to nibble on dog food as they can detect that it’s actually beneficial for them. Many garden birds have been known to steal dog food from a dog’s bowl, so are feeding themselves dog food without it being out for them!
Dog food is beneficial for many birds and if you put dry food in a bird feeder, you’ll find a returning crowd that grows bigger and bigger. Dog food provides birds with vital energy and nutrients to fuel their bodies, just like it does for your furry friend!
Which birds eat dog food?
A whole host of birds eat dog food, such as crows, ravens, bluebirds, jays, starlings, pigeons, doves, sparrows, cardinals, finches, thrashers, chickadees, grackles, and many more. This means by simply providing dog food for the birds, you can attract a wide variety of birds to your yard. However, which birds you get in your yard depends on which ones are interested in the type of dog food you put out for them and the ingredients used in that food. Some birds have even adapted to their favourite pick of dog food to make it easier for them to consume. For example, American crows have learned to dip dry dog food into a nearby birdbath, water feature, or pond to soften it.
Is dog food good & nutritious for birds?
Dog food is actually good and quite nutritious for our feathered friends. In fact, dog biscuits are usually added to commercial bird feed mixes to help bulk them out! If you have ever purchased commercial mixes, you can often find green and red pieces in them, which are typically dog food biscuits!
Dry dog food is made with fiber, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals that all help contribute to a happy and healthy pooch. Every animal needs a balanced diet that has these nutrients in it. Due to dog food being rich in nutrients, it means it’s just as nutritious for birds as it is for dogs. Other food birds eat, such as seeds, fruits, and nuts contain similar nutrients, proteins, and carbohydrates as dry dog food, so it can be a good food source for them.
However, don’t place chunks of dog food straight into a bird feeder as birds may choke on large dry pieces. Instead, break them up and soak them in water to help soften them.
Can you feed dog food to wild birds?
Even though dog food can be beneficial and nutritious for birds, it’s vital to understand what the dog food you have actually contains. This is because some dog foods aren’t as nutritious as others, because some are less healthy for dogs and birds. For example, cheaper options you find in the stores can contain a lot of fillers that are unhealthy for dogs and birds, while more organic foods like antioxidant rich foods for dogs, can be a much healthier choice for both your pooch and birds.
So, before you feed the birds of your yard dog food, check that it’s the best for them and your dog and try to use more organic options. A great way to determine this is to look at the ingredients list and think about how each ingredient is grown. If you’re unsure about the ingredients, it’s likely to not be the best fit.
What type of dog food can you feed to birds?
If you have a pooch and find yourself constantly wasting leftover food, feed it to the birds instead. However, you need to consider the type of food before you feed it to the wild birds in the garden as certain types attract certain birds, and some types are better than others.
Dry dog food
Dry dog food is probably the best option to give to the wild birds in your yard. Many birds can benefit from the fiber in dry dog food and the carbohydrates they have within them can contribute to a healthy and balanced diet. Dog biscuits are a great option to give birds in moderation. Some birds will even just take these chunks dry, but they are a choking hazard, so this type of dog food will be best once soaked in water. Doing this will also attract more birds to your yard, such as small birds that would otherwise struggle to eat them.
Wet dog food
Wet dog food can also be fed to garden birds, although it isn’t as good and as simple as dry food. The wet food you give birds should have the right mix of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates in them. This should also not be given to birds constantly as they shouldn’t be encouraged to have it as their primary food source.
Wet dog food is best to give to baby birds as it has a higher protein content. It can work wonders for growing birds, especially if they are being rehabilitated.
How to feed dog food to birds
The best way to feed birds dog food is to put a small quantity in a small dish or tray in a place where many birds can access it. Try to find a place that attracts the local birds but doesn’t get the attention of any pests, such as rodents. If you notice the birds aren’t taking the dog food, you should throw it away or bring it in, so it isn’t outside for too long.
If the dog food attracts small mammals or rodents, this brings in predators that threaten your garden birds. It can also grow mold on it if left out for too long, posing a risk to any feathered friend that eats it.
Whatever you do about feeding dog food to birds, make sure you don’t give them too much as it’s not healthy for them to have a large quantity of dog food. They need a balance, so only put it out occasionally and never leave lots out for the same birds to constantly graze on!
