Assess Your Dog’s Condition
If you see your dog eat a live mouse, the first step is to check if they seem ill or in distress. Look for signs of choking or trouble breathing. Also watch for tremors, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms that could indicate toxicity from the mouse itself or from rodenticides the mouse may have ingested (Health Risks to a Dog Who Catches & Eats Field Mice). Carefully inspect the inside of your dog’s mouth for any remaining parts of the mouse.
Monitor your dog closely over the next several hours. Look for any signs of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or neurological issues like seizures or disorientation. These could be signs the mouse was carrying a disease or the dog is having an adverse reaction. Contact your vet right away if any concerning symptoms develop.
Contact Your Vet
If your dog ate a live mouse, it’s important to contact your veterinarian right away for guidance. Your vet can help assess any concerning symptoms and determine if your dog needs to come in for an exam or emergency care.
Call your vet and let them know exactly what happened – that your dog caught and ingested a live mouse. Mention any symptoms you’ve observed, such as vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal pain. Your vet may ask questions to get more details about the incident and your dog’s current condition.
Depending on the specifics of the situation, your vet may recommend bringing your dog in immediately to induce vomiting and provide supportive care to address toxicity from ingesting a live rodent. Or, they may advise monitoring your dog closely at home and calling back if any worrying symptoms develop. Either way, getting input from your vet early on can help protect your dog’s health.
Be sure to follow any instructions from your vet, which may include withholding food temporarily, administering hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting if recommended, or rushing your dog to the clinic if signs of rodenticide poisoning or a potential intestinal obstruction appear. Your vet is your best resource for deciding on next steps when a dog eats a live mouse.
According to Fur Life Vets, contacting your vet promptly when this happens can significantly impact your dog’s prognosis, so don’t hesitate to call them right away.
Monitor for Vomiting
After your dog eats a mouse, watch closely for signs of vomiting or gagging in the hours following the incident. Vomiting is the body’s natural way to expel foreign or toxic substances from the stomach. According to veterinarian Dr. Andy on JustAnswer, “It is possible he just has some mild GI upset from eating the mouse. I am attaching an article here for you on vomiting:” https://www.justanswer.com/dog-health/9gv31-dog-ate-mouse-threw-whole-eating-grass.html.
Look for retching motions, abdominal contractions, drooling, and movement of the head down towards the ground as signs your dog is about to vomit. Make sure your dog has easy access to water in case of vomiting to prevent dehydration. If you observe vomiting, examine the contents to see if the mouse was expelled. Vomiting may provide relief from discomfort and prevent more serious issues.
Check the Feces
Look for mouse parts passed in the feces over the next few days. The mouse your dog ingested may pass through the digestive tract whole or in pieces. Examine your dog’s stool closely to see if any parts of the mouse come out. This helps determine if the mouse has fully passed or if parts are still in your dog’s system.
Check the feces at each bowel movement for 3-5 days after ingestion. Use gloves, a bag or scooper to handle the feces during this time. Look for bones, fur, tail, limbs or other body parts that could potentially cause an obstruction if left in the intestines.
It’s not unusual for a dog to pass animal parts like bones, quills or fur, but partial blocking can occur. If you spot mouse parts in the feces, continue monitoring until no more appear. If certain parts like the head or tail don’t pass, contact your vet, as surgery may be needed to remove them.
Bloody diarrhea or difficulty defecating also warrants an exam. Mice can carry parasites, viruses and bacteria that may lead to gastrointestinal upset when eaten. If the feces appears abnormal, bring a fresh sample to the vet for parasite testing.
Provide Reassurance
Dogs can become anxious and stressed after encountering prey animals like mice. It’s important to provide reassurance to help your dog relax. Speak in a calm, soothing voice and give gentle pets to help comfort your dog. You can also try giving your dog a special treat or toy to help take their mind off the stressful event. Once your dog seems more relaxed, try to resume normal activities like walks, training, or playtime. Going about your regular routine can help signal to your dog that everything is okay again. Just be patient and understanding if your dog still seems on edge for a little while. With time and reassurance, they should bounce back to their normal happy selves.
Discourage Hunting
It’s important to discourage dogs from chasing or hunting live animals like mice, birds, squirrels, etc. If your dog has exhibited hunting behavior, take steps to redirect their energy and instincts. Provide plenty of interactive toys and food puzzles instead, which allow them to use their natural skills in a harmless way. Rotate the toys to keep your dog engaged and avoid boredom. Consider getting puzzle feeders or stuffed Kongs, which make mealtime an enriching activity.
Also, keep your dog leashed or in a fenced area when outside to prevent chasing. If your dog spots a critter, redirect their attention with a treat or toy while calmly guiding them away. With consistency, you can curb the urge to give chase and reinforce ignoring live animals. Some high prey drive breeds may need distraction and redirection their entire lives to prevent harming small creatures. But investing the effort to discourage hunting creates a safer environment for local wildlife.
According to the American Kennel Club article “How to Control and Channel Prey Drive in Dogs on Walks,” using techniques like “Look at That” training can teach dogs to glance at a stimulus briefly then re-focus on you, rather than fixating or lunging. This type of conditioning provides an acceptable outlet for their predatory instincts. With time and positive reinforcement, you can reduce undesirable tracking, stalking, or chasing behaviors from your dog.
Protect Against Parasites
Eating mice or other wild rodents can expose dogs to parasites like tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms. These intestinal parasites are commonly found in rodents and can be transmitted to dogs if the rodent is infected. According to the ASPCA, the most common parasite transmitted to dogs from mice is tapeworm. Tapeworms live in the small intestine and can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal discomfort.
After consuming a mouse, have your veterinarian examine a fecal sample to check for intestinal parasites. If parasites are found, the vet will likely prescribe a dewormer medication like praziquantel or fenbendazole to eliminate the worms. These medications are highly effective at killing tapeworms and other common parasites. Complete the full course as directed. Avoid treating without a prescription, as over-the-counter dewormers may not fully eliminate an infection. Practicing monthly heartworm prevention can also protect against worms transmitted from mice and rats (Source 1).
In addition to deworming, thoroughly clean the areas your dog frequents to prevent reinfection. Promptly dispose of feces in sealed bags, regularly launder bedding, and keep floors vacuumed and mopped. Maintaining excellent hygiene helps break the parasite life cycle so worms cannot spread.
Trash Precautions
One of the most important trash precautions to take is keeping garbage secured and inaccessible to mice. Mice are attracted to food waste and will readily chew through plastic bags and cardboard boxes to access any scraps. According to 17 Insanely Simple Ways to Mouse Proof Your House, you should keep trash cans tightly closed with tight-fitting lids. Consider purchasing trash cans with locking lids or pedal-operated lids that prevent access.
Make sure any outdoor garbage receptacles are not overflowing and lids seal tightly. You can elevate trash bins on stands to prevent mice from chewing underneath. Regularly empty all trash cans and bins so food waste does not accumulate. Immediately dispose of any loose scraps or debris that could attract mice.
Removing potential food sources through proper trash precautions can significantly deter mice from entering the home. With trash inaccessible, mice will be less inclined to inhabit the property.
Address Behavior
It’s normal for dogs to have some degree of prey drive, which is the instinct to chase small animals. However, you’ll want to discourage your dog from chasing harmless animals like squirrels. Consider training if your dog persistently chases animals like rabbits or birds. Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog to ignore stimuli that trigger his prey drive. For example, when your dog looks at but does not chase a squirrel, reward him with praise and treats. This helps reinforce calm behavior rather than reacting. You can also use distraction techniques when you spot potential prey animals. Get your dog’s attention focused back on you with commands, toys, or treats before he starts chasing. With time and consistency, you can help curb your dog’s desire to hunt small critters.
Some options to help address high prey drive include:[1]
- Obedience training
- Using a long lead for more control on walks
- Avoiding off-leash areas with prey
- Providing puzzle toys to stimulate their mind
With dedication and patience, you can teach your dog to control his instincts and coexist peacefully with local wildlife.
Prevent Recurrence
To keep this from happening again, take steps to block mice from getting access to your home and pets. Here are some prevention tips:
- Seal any holes or gaps around the exterior of your home with steel wool, caulk, concrete, or metal kick plates. Focus especially on the foundation, doors, windows, and areas around utility lines entering the home. See this guide for detailed instructions on mouse-proofing entry points.
- Use snap traps in rooms where you’ve seen mouse activity. Place traps along walls and near nesting areas. Check and rebait traps frequently to catch mice before they can interact with pets.
- Install electronic or ultrasonic repellents which deter mice without harming them. Look for humane, pet-safe products to use around dogs and cats.
- Keep pet food in securely sealed metal or heavy plastic containers rather than bags or boxes. Immediately clean up any spilled food or uneaten portions.
- Pick up your pet’s water bowl overnight so mice cannot access it.
- Keep trash cans tightly closed and avoid letting trash accumulate. Take the trash out frequently.
- Pick up fruits that fall from trees and ripened vegetables from gardens, since fallen produce can attract mice.
Take measures like these to rodent-proof your home and limit opportunities for mice to encounter pets. Be vigilant and persistent, as mice are resourceful at finding entry points. But with diligence, you can keep these unwanted visitors away from your home and pets.
