Is Goose Poop Bad for Dogs? The Smelly Truth Explained

It’s a beautiful day for a walk in the park with your pup. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and your dog is happily trotting along the path. Suddenly, you notice them eyeing something in the grass – a big, juicy pile of goose poop! Before you can stop them, they’ve scarfed it down in one greedy gulp. Oh no! Now what?

If you’ve ever dealt with this gross scenario, you’ve probably wondered: Is goose poop actually bad for my dog? Or is it just super nasty? You’re not alone in your curiosity. Many dog owners have questions about the risks of letting their pups ingest goose droppings. Though a little goose poop likely won’t cause lasting harm, there are some potential health concerns you should know about.

In this article, we’ll explore whether goose feces can make your dog sick. You’ll learn what pathogens may be present in goose poop and how they could impact your canine companion’s digestive system. We’ll also discuss ways to curb your dog’s goose doodoo-eating habits and when to call the vet. Let’s dive in to uncover the truth about this crappy conundrum!

What’s in Goose Poop That Could Make Dogs Sick?

So what exactly makes goose droppings so nasty for dogs? Here are some of the main culprits:

• Bacteria – Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridia, and E. coli are bacteria often found in goose feces. These can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, leading to vomiting or diarrhea.
• Parasites – Intestinal parasites like Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and tapeworms may be present. They can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, and vomiting.
• Foreign objects – Goose poop can contain bits of plastic, sand, rocks, or other items that could obstruct the intestines if swallowed.
• Pesticides – Geese that ingest pesticide-treated grass or water can excrete traces of these toxic chemicals.

So while a quick lick of a goose turd on the grass may only contain a small amount of bacteria, swallowing large quantities could overload your dog’s stomach.

How Eating Goose Poop Can Make Dogs Sick

Eating goose droppings essentially introduces a whole slew of potentially harmful pathogens into your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

Here are some of the common illnesses it can cause:

Salmonellosis

The Salmonella bacteria is one of the most common culprits of “foopy butt” in dogs who eat goose feces. It can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and abdominal pain.

Most healthy adult dogs recover without treatment, but puppies, seniors, or immunocompromised dogs may require IV fluids and antibiotics.

Campylobacteriosis

Similar to Salmonella, Campylobacter bacteria can also wreak havoc on the canine gut. It causes diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and vomiting.

Again, healthy dogs may recover with rest and hydration at home. But those with weaker immune systems can develop full-blown enteritis and bloody diarrhea.

Giardiasis

This parasitic infection causes profuse, foul-smelling diarrhea along with gas, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Dehydration is a major risk.

Giardia requires prescription medication to fully eradicate. Without treatment, dogs can spread the parasite through feces contamination.

Intestinal Blockages

Swallowing foreign objects hidden in goose poop can lead to partial or complete intestinal obstructions. Symptoms may include vomiting, painful abdominal swelling, lack of appetite, or inability to defecate.

These blockages are extremely dangerous and require emergency surgery. Left untreated, a blockage can rupture the intestines and cause fatal peritonitis.

Toxicities

Pesticides and other toxins passed through the goose’s system can be harmful if directly ingested. Organophosphates and carbamates found on lawns can cause drooling, tremors, seizures, and even death in dogs.

Decontamination and aggressive treatment is needed to prevent poisoning.

Are Some Dogs More at Risk?

While a little goose poop may just temporarily upset a healthy dog’s stomach, some dogs are more susceptible to developing full-blown illness.

Puppies have immature immune systems, making it harder to fight off pathogens found in feces. Intestinal blockages are also more common and more dangerous in puppies.

Senior dogs may have decreased immunity and motility, making it difficult to recover from infection or obstruction. Underlying conditions like kidney disease also make them more prone to dehydration.

Immunocompromised dogs, including those on steroids or chemotherapy, have a higher likelihood of contracting persistent bacterial infections from goose droppings. Their intestinal walls are also compromised and more prone to damage.

Repeated poop eaters face higher odds of illness since they are exposed to pathogens more frequently. Some dogs, like Labradors, are simply prone to eating feces as an obsessive behavioral disorder called coprophagia.

How Much Goose Poop Can Make a Dog Sick?

Small amounts of goose feces may cause nothing more than bad breath or loose stool in an otherwise healthy adult dog. The stench itself or intestinal upset is usually enough to deter most pups.

However, dogs that compulsively eat goose droppings anytime they come across them are putting themselves at high risk of infection or obstruction. Consuming large quantities of feces intensifies the pathogen exposure.

There is no established toxic dose, since the bacteria and parasite concentration varies. But any amount that causes prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or bloody stools warrants a vet visit. Puppies with any signs of illness after eating goose poop should also be evaluated.

How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Goose Poop

While goose droppings generally won’t kill a dog, they can definitely cause some miserable days. Here are some tips to curb your dog’s poop-eating proclivities:

• Clean it up – Be diligent about removing goose poop from areas your dog frequents before they get the chance to snack on it.
• Use avoidance – When you see your dog approaching goose feces, divert their attention with a treat or toy. Reward them for leaving it alone.
• Train a strong “Leave it” – Practice this cue frequently when out walking so your dog learns to avoid tempting goose piles upon command.
• Use a basket muzzle – A mesh muzzle will allow your dog to pant, drink, and take treats, while preventing poop consumption. Introduce it slowly with positive conditioning.
• Consider deterrents – Some owners have had success spraying droppings with safe yet unpleasant-tasting substances like citrus or pepper.
• Mitigate risk – Avoid areas with heavy goose populations, especially in summer when droppings are most concentrated with nesting geese. Stay on sidewalks and mowed lawns.
• Address underlying issues – If your dog eats poop compulsively, consult your vet about behavioral modification, more exercise, anxiety reduction, or supplements to decrease the urge.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Goose Poop

If your pup manages to gulp down some goose doodoo before you can stop them, here’s what to do:

• Monitor symptoms – Note any vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy, or other signs of illness over the next 24 hours.
• Call your vet – Describe the symptoms and timing to help determine if a visit is warranted based on severity.
• Fast temporarily – Withhold food for 6-12 hours to allow rest for gastroenteritis. Slowly reintroduce bland foods like rice and chicken.
• Prevent dehydration – Encourage your dog to drink small volumes frequently. Offer low-sodium broths. Avoid exercise to conserve fluid.
• Collect a stool sample – If diarrhea persists more than a day, bring a fresh fecal sample to check for parasites.
• Consider probiotics – These can help restore good gut bacteria after a bacterial infection. Consult your vet on effective formulas and dosage.
• Seek ER care – If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, especially with vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lack of defecation, or signs of abdominal pain, seek emergency veterinary treatment.

While goose droppings may look enticingly tasty to dogs, the results are hardly ever pretty! With prompt cleanup, training, and smart prevention, you can help your pup steer clear of this hazardous hobby.

The Bottom Line: Is Goose Poop Bad for Dogs?

To summarize, while goose poop certainly carries some risks, most healthy adult dogs will only experience minor stomach upset after eating a small amount. However, puppies, elderly dogs, and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe infections or obstructions.

Prevention is key to avoiding illness, through diligent poop patrol, training, and strategic avoidance. If your pup does ingest goose feces, monitor closely for concerning symptoms that may warrant a vet visit for fluids, medication, or other treatment.

So be vigilant when geese are in the vicinity, but rest assured that the occasional goose poop encounter likely won’t cause long-term harm. Just be ready with the hose to wash off a messy muzzle! With smart precautions, you and your dog can continue enjoying refreshing walks, even with geese about.