Dogs will eat just about anything and this can include things that seem disgusting to humans, things such as maggots.
While maggots may not be the most appetizing food for your dog, they are not necessarily harmful.
However, if you are concerned about your dog eating maggots, there are a few things you can do.
Maggots are unlikely to be a problem for your dog if he eats them. They are a great source of protein and a natural food for many animals. The biggest risk comes from the place where the maggots are found with things such as rotting food and other items being the problem.
What should I do if my dog eats maggots?
Your dog will probably be okay but it is a good idea to monitor him for any signs of illness.
He may experience some diarrhea or might even vomit some of the maggots back but it’s likely that he will be fine.
If you do have concerns, or he seems unwell, then you should contact your vet for their professional advice.
Is it safe for a dog to eat maggots?
While maggots may not be the most appetizing food item, they are actually harmless to dogs.
These larval insects feed on decaying organic matter, so they are often found in trash cans or other places where food is left to rot.
While they aren’t the most nutritional meal, maggots are safe for dogs to consume and will not cause them any harm.
Will eating maggots harm a dog?
In their own right maggots are harmless if a dog eats them.
The biggest concern, however, is the area where the maggots are found.
Maggots are often found on rotting items of food or animal carcases or dung and these places can harbour bacteria and parasites that could be harmful to a dog.
The maggots’ food source is the problem
Hopefully the message is coming across that the maggots themselves are not the cause for concern.
The place where the maggots are feeding is the real problem and, should your dog eat some of the rotting food that the maggots are consuming or, if the maggots transfer the bacteria from their ‘food source’ to your dog, then that is when problems and illnesses can occur.
How to prevent your dog from eating maggots
The best way to stop your dog from eating maggots is to make sure that there is no rotting food or other items around for them to feed on.
Keep rubbish bins covered and empty them regularly, don’t leave food lying around outdoors and clean up any animal waste straight away.
If you do find maggots in the garden or in bins or other places then clean them away and wash out dustbins with a strong bleach solution to destroy any remaining larvae and bacteria.
Final Words
If your dog has eaten maggots, don’t panic.
While it may seem gross, it’s not usually a serious problem and can easily be resolved.
The first thing you should do is check and monitor your dog for any signs of illness.
If they seem otherwise healthy, there’s no need to worry.
Just keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t eat any more maggots.
