Cricket just killed and ate a squirrel

[dss62467]

Do I congratulate her on her speed and agility? Catching a squirrel is no easy task...or do I scold her for killing something? She's a dog, it's instinct to hunt....

It's really too late to do anything. But she is tied outside because she ate the whole thing. Fur, bones, guts...I'm afraid what might come out on my living room rug.

Bleah!

 

[allwildgirl]

Oy. Sadie got one a few weeks ago but we got to her before she ate it. I wasn't pleased. Yes, it's her instinct to hunt, but I don't want to encourage it, you know?

 

[andtckrtoo]

Donna - my puppy caught a crow the other day, but I pulled him off before he could kill it (lucky jump and a cocky crow). Dogs are agile and fast! But, I certainly don't blame you for tying her outside. I'm kind of nauseous just thinking about your living room carpet! :+

But, I agree with Shelly - no need to encourage it. Too late now, but if you catch her at it again, let her know that you don't want her to do that. The good news is that squirrels are very rarely rabid.

 

[spyrosmom]

EEWW!! My previous dog used to catch squirrels, rabbits, opossums, whatever was in the backyard. He was some kind of hound dog mix mutt. Keep the doggie outside for a while!!! Once had a rabbit yakked up on the living room floor. Was not a pleasant experience at all.

Nan

 

[TeTe]

Gilda did that this past winter...she actually got sick from it. It didn't start until about three days later; she had diarrhea  for a few days and looked like she felt really lousy. Just a heads up in case cricket starts feeling poorly.

 

[kathryn]

You could give her epicac (check with the vet first) so she would throw up, and maybe associate eating the squirrel with vomitting.

At least she ate the squirrel, so it wasn't just a 'fun' kill. I was at a friend's house the other day, and came upon a dead chipmunk that one of her indoor/outdoor cats had obviously killed, but not even snacked on. That makes me sad.

 

[amyg]

OMG you guys! Although I am *mightily* impressed with your animal sons and daughters, I am completely grossed out by this thread!!! :+

Thank goodness Gracie and George are indoor cats!!!! :7 (We let them catch and eat whatever bugs they want, although when they eat a spider I pretty much don't kiss them for a few minutes because I'm afraid of stray spider legs!!)

Still, I'm seriously impressed...

 

[dss62467]

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch her in the act. I had been inside when I heard her barking at something. Nothing new there - she's a corgi and barks at everything. Then I went outside a few minutes later to make sure she hadn't taken off after a cyclist or something.

She came prancing around the side of the house with the lower half of the thing hanging out of her mouth. I didn't take it away because: 1) I didn't want to touch it; 2) she'd try to bite me if I did try to take it. She doesn't give up food nicely.

So far, no ill effects. I'm not REALLY worried about it because the cats eat their kills all the time and never throw it up. The only cat that does puke is the only one who's too fat and lazy to catch anything.