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Dog ate dead bird, lethargic, not eating. Home remedies without a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 20 lbs

My dog ate a dead bird a week ago today is the 4th day he refuses to eat. No vomiting or diarea just lethargic , no appetite. Im giving him pedialyte with a syringe , he has been getting up to drink on his own but definitely refuses the chicken and white rice. Is there a home remedy or how can ihelp him at home? I dont have the money to take him to a vet

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

David Darvishian

Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on August 31st, 2017

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Bruno. He really needs to be evaluated by a vet in your area to get to the bottom of this. The longer he goes without eating the weaker he will become and he will continue to refuse food. If you cannot get him turned around soon, you will be forced to get him to a vet. In the meantime, I would puree (in a blender) some canned dog food and water. You could even buy some canned baby food (meat flavors and dilute with water). Get a large dosing syringe from someone and start force feeding him very small volumes at first to see if he can hold a small amount of food down. 5-10 milliliter increments or 1-2 teaspoons. If he holds that down for an hour repeat the same process. If all goes well, you could start increasing the amount being fed until hopefully he starts eating on his own. I'm sure consuming the bird has caused this and I'm actually surprised that he is not sicker after about 4 days. Keep giving pedialyte/fluids also in between feedings if he can hold everything down. Good luck with Bruno. I hope he turns the corner soon.
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