You may have noticed wild birds or your pet birds eating at your dog’s food. Is this a good or a bad thing for both the birds and your dog? Do pigeons eat dog food?
Pigeons do eat dog food. Dog food contains a variety of nutrients and minerals that will be beneficial to your pigeons but you shouldn’t let them eat dog food on a regular basis. Dog food isn’t made to accommodate a pigeons dietary needs. In addition, the pigeons can contaminate the dog food.
If you’re an animal lover and you own both pigeons and dogs then you may be wondering if your two beloved animals, your pigeon and your dog can live together in harmony. Well, they can! So what happens when your pigeons get into your dog’s food?
The relationship between a pigeon and a dog is a bit complicated. Dogs are predator animals. In the wild dogs can eat pigeons, They eat dog food in urban areas. In urban areas, pigeons eat a variety of foods, more than we expect them to. From fruits and vegetables to popcorn and bread.
We’ve seen friendships between pigeons and dogs flourish. They go viral on the internet and its cute combination to see. They sometimes even share dog food.
If these two animals hit it off your pigeon can start to eat into your dog’s food as the two pets get to know each other and start to accept each other. This article looks into if this is good or bad
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Nutritional benefits of dog food
There are two types of dog food that you can give to your dog. You can give them dry kibble or wet food. These foods have been designed to give your dog the number of nutrients and minerals that the dog needs to stay healthy and happy.
Dog food contains the vitamins, minerals and fibre that the dogs need to stay healthy. Some dog foods contain meats, fruits, vegetables and grain which are all essential for dogs.
Do pigeons eat dog food?
The case for it:
Pigeons do eat dog food. If you leave your pet’s food outside, where other animals can get it, they will definitely try to. Wild animals have to scavenge for food both in the wild and in urban areas. A bowl of nutrient-rich dog food to pigeons is an easy meal and is preferred over having to find food themselves.
In addition, dog food offers dogs a variety of nutrients that will be beneficial to the pigeons. The pigeons will crave the grains in the food that you feed your dogs, these grains include rye, corn and barley to name a few. Dog food also contains proteins and fats which the pigeon needs.
Pigeons will eat the dog food dry if they need to. Wet dog food is soft and is nearly an ideal bird food. You can find all sizes of pigeons eating your dog food from the babies to the adults, its easily digestible and convenient because it is easily available to them. In addition, dog food is cheaper alternative to seed.
The case against it:
If you own pigeons then you shouldn’t be giving them dog food on a regular basis. Dog food has been specially designed for dogs and is not made for pigeons diets.
In the wild, your bird doesn’t have access to and won’t eat dog food. Its diet will consist of fruits, vegetables, insects, nuts and seeds of the area. Soaking dog food in water to give to pigeons is a temporary feeding technique you should do only if its an emergency.
If the birds that eat your dog food are wild birds then you should keep them away from your dog’s food. Wild birds can carry diseases or parasites that can get into the food and or attack your domesticated dog. The birds can also leave their waste in your dog’s food and contaminate it, which you don’t want.
What do pigeons eat?
Pigeons thrive on a varied diet which includes a variety of grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits and some insects. When feeding pigeons birdseed you need to remember not to give them too much.
Seeds should only account for 10 percent of the pigeon’s diet. In addition, a seed only diet will not give your pigeons all the vitamins and mineral it needs to be healthy
Fruits and vegetables should also be given to birds. More vegetables should be given than fruits. Fruits are very sweet to pigeons and should be given in moderation as treat. Vegetables contain more of the vitamins and minerals that the bird needs. Give pigeons dark yellow or dark green veggies.
A simple way to give your pigeon a well-rounded diet is by giving your bird a pellet diet. Pellets are a combination of the grains, nuts, vegetables, seeds and additional minerals and vitamins that birds need. All this is baked together to create a pellet.
Other foods that pigeons can eat include pine nuts, broccoli and cranberries. Click the links to read more. Foods that pigeons shouldn’t eat include honey, ice cream, baking soda, french fries and banana peels. Click the links for more info
How do I keep pigeons away from my dogs food?
Feed your dog inside: The simplest way to keep birds from eating your dog’s food is to feed your dog inside the house. If your dog likes to spend its days outside bring him inside when its feeding time
Put the food away after eating: When your dog eats make sure to give him enough for one feeding. If he doesn’t eat all the food don’t leave the leftover food sitting around. This attracts birds and other animals.
Feed the birds: You can discourage birds from eating your dog’s food by giving the birds an alternative to your dog’s food. Leave a bird feeder out or make your own suet balls for the birds to eat.
Use fake predators: This can be in the form of a rubber snake or a moving owl that makes sounds. The pigeons will be too scared to come near the food if these ornaments are close. Move the snake every few days or every other day to make it seem to like it’s a living thing. The owls with moving parts and that make noises will scare the pigeons away.
Use bird repellent gel: You can use this gel material to coat your surfaces. This ensures that the birds don’t settle on your property in the first place. The fewer pigeons loitering on your property the lower the chances of them eating your dog’s food.
Use reflective tape or circles: You can hang these around your property and around the dog bowls as well. The light from the sun shines on the tape or circles and the reflection of light scares the pigeons away. The wind will blow the tape or circles further scaring the pigeons.
Conclusion
Pigeons can and do eat dog food. Dog food is an easy to access food that offers pigeons some of the nutrients and minerals needed to stay healthy. That being said, pigeons should not be eating dog food on a regular basis. Dog food is made for dogs, not for pigeons.
Pigeons should mainly be eating vegetables, grains, seeds, fruits, insets or pellets. Dog food soaked in water should be a temporary food given to pigeons not a major part of their diet. To keep birds away from your dog food either feed your dogs inside, use reflective tape or circles, use fake predators like an owl or a snake or feed the birds their own food.