Dogs are curious by nature. So what happens if a dog eats a stink bug? It’s a common question for pet owners with a garden full of these bugs. From cats and frogs to butterflies and bugs, anything can attract their attention. At this point, it’s our responsibility to ensure that our dogs don’t chase and harm innocent creatures, but unexpected situations may still arise, especially with small things crawling around the garden.
So, what happens if a dog eats a stink bug? Most dogs will chase stink bugs out of curiosity, but many will also eat them on a sudden impulse. Normally, a stink bug isn’t a major emergency, yet some small issues may still arise along the way. Here’s everything you need to know if your dog is curious enough to eat bugs and other garden pests.
What Happens If a Dog Eats a Stink Bug?
Stink bugs are messy. They’re disgusting to us, but they’re just as bad when it comes to dogs. Most potential side effects will fade away within a day or so without permanent harm. Drooling, vomiting and foaming are common immediate reactions. So is diarrhea after having a stink bug due to gastrointestinal distress.
Make sure your dog doesn’t eat anything for three or four hours, but access to fresh water is mandatory.
In some cases, allergic reactions may occur, like heavy breathing or swelling. You should contact the vet in this case. On the same note, dogs that eat too many stink bugs may have the hard shells clump together. Such clumps can lead to intestinal blockage, which also requires your vet’s attention.
My Dog Ate a Stink Bug, What Should I Do?
Rinse your dog’s mouth if your furry friend keeps drooling or pawing. A fresh bowl of water is mandatory, as it clears out the bitterness. Since the stomach must settle, don’t let your dog eat anything for at least three hours. Meanwhile, monitor the symptoms for about 24 hours.
Contact the vet if you observe complications, severe allergic reactions or persistent sickness that worsens over time. Such effects shouldn’t last for more than 24 hours in healthy dogs. You should also see the vet if your dog has had a large quantity of stink bugs and not just one or two.
Can a Dog Get Sick from Eating a Stink Bug?
What happens if a dog eats a stink bug in terms of sickness? The taste, smell and chemical reactions will make the dog vomit eventually. Stink bugs are disgusting, so your dog will learn that the hard way. Symptoms are normally mild and should fade away within hours only with proper rest.
More bugs increase the risk of stomach irritation. Plus, the shells can clump and cause more severe problems, hence the necessity of paying attention to your dog. There’s not much to worry about when it comes to a stink bug, but you have to be cautious when it comes to a large quantity of stink bugs.
Are Stink Bugs Poisonous to Dogs?
Stink bugs aren’t poisonous, but they have a taste and smell that will cause similar symptoms and irritations to mild chemical burns. They can irritate the mouth and stomach, but also cause sickness. If you’re not sure about how serious the signs seem to be, simply get in touch with your vet for peace of mind.
Stink bugs are usually harmless, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Symptoms to Watch for After Your Dog Eats a Stink Bug
Drooling is usually the first symptom, a form of oral irritation. Vomiting can also occur due to the harsh taste and smell of stink bugs. Diarrhea and vomiting are common too. While most dogs won’t eat, you should still keep food away for at least three hours.
Pawing at the mouth is common too.
These are basic, while more severe symptoms include allergies or stomach upset.
When Should You Call the Vet?
What happens if a dog eats a stink bug? Should you get to the vet straight away? Not really for a single minor incident. Go see the vet if your dog has a lot of stink bugs. Do the same if symptoms persist for more than a day. Weakness, difficult breathing and other signs of allergies also require professional attention.
Can Stink Bugs Hurt a Dog’s Mouth?
Stink bugs have a defensive odor that can make anyone sick, both people and dogs. While we usually find it disgusting, dogs may also be sensitive to it. Therefore, a stink bug can irritate the dog’s mouth. That explains the drooling, gagging and pawing at the face. These are all signs of irritation.
In most dogs, the irritation fades in less than 24 hours.
How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Stink Bugs
Here are a few handy tips to stop your dog from eating stink bugs.
- Teach your dog the “leave it” or “drop it” command and use it when you see the dog looking at or attacking a stink bug.
- You can also redirect your dog’s attention with a toy.
- Use natural repellents against bugs, especially on doorways and window frames, such as peppermint oil.
- Block access points, seal gaps, and get mosquito nets for your windows.
Final Thoughts
Bottom line, what happens if a dog eats a stink bug? Stink bugs can be irritating, but they won’t represent a serious problem for dogs. However, dog owners should still monitor their pets for a day or so and call a vet if symptoms are too severe or don’t improve.
Such cases are rare, but if you’re ever unsure, ASPCA Animal Poison Control is available around the clock for guidance.
FAQs
Curious dogs can chase stink bugs and try them out. It has nothing to do with the appetite. It’s only a matter of being curious.
The odors, taste and defensive mechanisms of stink bugs can be slightly toxic to dogs and cause mild symptoms and irritation.
Defensive mechanisms and chemicals of stink bugs, associated with a bad taste, can cause the dog to drool excessively and paw at the mouth.
Unless a vet recommends induced throwing up, you shouldn’t try to do so.
A large quantity of stink bugs leads to their shells clumping. This issue could cause intestinal blockage, so call your vet if you’re not sure.
Symptoms should be monitored for 24 hours, but they usually fade away in less than that once the chemicals wash out.