dog diet isn’t talked about enough. We are sure that all the dog parents agree with us! We mean to say dogs are as cute as a cat or a dog. Hell, they don’t even create a disturbance like other monster pets! And yet, all we see on the internet is, can dogs eat this or can my cat have that?” You will not find a decent answer to even a basic question like, can dogs eat earthworms? Because we realized the gravity of the situation much better and quicker than anyone else, we decided to dedicate an entire discussion to this very question. We methodically approach the question that we stated earlier and see if your dog can eat earthworms or not.
The normal diet of a dog
But before we start digging for earthworms, let us see what dogs normally eat. While there are many dog subspecies, it is fairly easy to sketch a dog’s general diet framework. Please note that we are talking about the domesticated dogs here; the wild ones eat stuff that will make you push away your dinner plate. Ok, so dogs love to eat insects for their protein intake. There are a few fruits and vegetables that your dog can have as well. But the routine practice is to feed your dog commercially available food pellets that have all the basic nutrients required for your dog’s growth.
Can dogs eat earthworms?
Without beating about the bush, let us answer the question around which this debate will revolve. Can dogs eat earthworms? YES. dogs can eat earthworms. But we are afraid that is the short answer and doesn’t offer any in-depth takes on the subject matter. There are certain considerations that you must be mindful of (we talk about these in the next section) and a few risks that you need to be aware of (we talk about these a bit later). And for all these details, you will have to stick with us a bit longer!
Important considerations
Well, we have given the green light to your dog as far as the earthworms are considered, but as we said, you must be mindful of a few important points. Firstly, if you are feeding your dog earthworms, make sure that these worms are coming from the earth, not some chemical fertilizer depo. We say this because the worms coming from a heap of chemical fertilizers might be treated with the chemical itself. Hence, snacking on something like that is hardly suitable for your dog. Then, serving worms in a fashion that doesn’t define the word overkill also matters. We are sure that your dog will go for pretty much anything like grubs, grubs, snails, and earthworms. Hence, moderation is the approach to adopt! We think you should introduce earthworms as a treat in your dog’s diet!
Possible risks
Well, the biggest threat that comes with the earthworms for your dog is the parasites that the worm might be carrying. We all know that snails and earthworms can be secondary or primary carriers of infectious parasites. Hence, if you are feeding a dog on infected earthworms, it is likely to fall ill. The best way to avoid this complication in the first place is to make sure that the soil from where you are digging your worms is as natural and clean as it gets. Also, you need to make sure that all the aspects of your dog’s diet are being fulfilled. Just feeding on worms is not ideal!
Can box dogs eat earthworms?
Box dogs are omnivores by nature; they are pretty happy to eat stuff like flowers, mushrooms, snails, and certain insects. Hence, we cannot imagine why earthworms should be off the limits for box dogs. Oh, but wait, let us talk a bit about box dogs as well. There are many species of dogs, but none are as popular and domesticated as the box dogs. Box dogs are a special species found in northern America. These are perhaps, the cleverest dogs in the world since they can pretty much understand what their pet parents are telling them to do! Hence, their profile value is also higher as compared to other dog species. You can understand why
Does your dog need a deworming agent?
As we said earlier, the earthworms you feed your dog might be carriers of parasites or worm larva. In such a scenario, your dog can become a victim of worm infestation. This is something that is diagnosed by symptoms such as lethargy and tiredness, and of course, an inspection of fecal matter. Once you are certain that your dog has worms, what is the next step that you need to take? Getting a deworming agent! Two important considerations in this regard. One, the product should have a reputable brand’s label. Second, you must consult the vet before you go shopping for a deworming agent.
What to do in case your dog starts gagging?
The chances of this happening are ridiculously low, but we have to discuss all the possibilities. So, what if your dog doesn’t like the worms? What if eating them induces lethargy in the pet? What is the first thing that you need to do after snatching the worm bowl from your dog’s reach? Get the vet. Please don’t play the vet, as some people foolishly do so. Vets are professionals who understand your pet’s issues much better than you. We are not in favor of buying a deworming agent on your own even!
Conclusion
Well, folks, that would be all for now. Figuring out a diet plan for your shell-wrapped friend can be a bit of hard work since there isn’t enough content available to research on the web. However, try¸ as you should. If you ever feel you are stuck on something hopelessly, feel free to visit this place again. We have solved the earthworm conundrum for you in a jiffy; no other problem can be bigger than that!