{"id":103891,"date":"2023-08-20T20:36:17","date_gmt":"2023-08-21T00:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/?p=103891"},"modified":"2023-08-20T20:38:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T00:38:02","slug":"my-dog-ate-a-fly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/my-dog-ate-a-fly\/","title":{"rendered":"My Dog Ate a Fly: Is My Dog In Danger?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Oh no! My dog ate a fly! What should I do?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well, first of all, your dog must\u2019ve been a nimble fellow to catch a fly mid-air.<\/p>\n<p><em>I couldn\u2019t swat a fly myself, so that must\u2019ve been a feat to see!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Secondly, eating flies is not a common thing that dogs do.<\/p>\n<p>There must\u2019ve been something that triggered your dog to eat flies.<\/p>\n<p>But the bigger question is whether your dog is in trouble after eating flies.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s what we\u2019re about to find out.<\/p>\n<p>So, for this blog, I\u2019ll be answering your questions concerning your dog eating a fly.<\/p>\n<p>To do that, we\u2019ll talk about the following topics in this article:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Can dogs eat flies?<\/li>\n<li>Why do dogs eat flies?<\/li>\n<li>What happens when your dog eats a fly?<\/li>\n<li>What are the health risks encountered when your dog eats a fly?<\/li>\n<li>What to do if your dog eats a fly?<\/li>\n<li>What other insects can harm your dog?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Should you be worried that your dog ate a fly?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s find out!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-103969\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/my-dog-eats-flies.jpg\" alt=\"my dog eats flies\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/my-dog-eats-flies.jpg 700w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/my-dog-eats-flies-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/my-dog-eats-flies-588x420.jpg 588w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/my-dog-eats-flies-640x457.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/my-dog-eats-flies-681x486.jpg 681w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/my-dog-eats-flies-600x429.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>My Dog Ate a Fly: Is My Dog in Danger?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Help! My dog ate a fly. Is my dog in danger?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>No, eating flies won\u2019t place your dog in immediate danger.<\/p>\n<p>This <strong>housefly species<\/strong>, <em>Musca domestica<\/em>, <strong>is not a poisonous insect<\/strong> that can inflict toxic effects on dogs.<\/p>\n<p>House flies themselves may not be poisonous to your dogs, but they can still harm your dog in other ways.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, the <a href=\"https:\/\/entnemdept.ufl.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Florida's Entomology and Nematology Department<\/a> also said:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"td_pull_quote td_pull_center\"><p>Although this fly species does not bite, the control of Musca domestica is vital to human health and comfort in many areas of the world.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>More of these flies\u2019 harmful effects later.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Happens if My Dog Ate a Fly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Dan, what happens if my dog eats a fly?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Since flies are non-poisonous insects, the answer to that is nothing.<\/p>\n<p><em>Your dog will be more or less alright.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It will digest the fly in its stomach like any other food that it has eaten, making these insects safe to eat.<\/p>\n<p>Just take note that adult flies have no significant nutritional value.<\/p>\n<p>So, unless your dog is feasting on <a href=\"https:\/\/entnemdept.ufl.edu\/creatures\/urban\/flies\/house_fly.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fly larvae<\/a>, it\u2019s not worth feeding your dogs with houseflies.<\/p>\n<p>The bigger question is, <em>why would you feed your dog fly larvae if there\u2019s a better option available for them?<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Health Risks When Dog Eats Flies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>So, flies are safe to eat.<\/p>\n<p>But does that mean you should let your dog eat any critters as it pleases?<\/p>\n<p><em>No, silly!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Just because dogs can eat flies doesn\u2019t mean you should let them snatch some mid-air flies.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Letting dogs eat flies exposes them to various types of health risks.<\/p>\n<p>The two most common health risks that dogs often encounter when they eat flies are insecticide poisoning and exposure to microbial infection.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Microbial Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Flies are notorious carriers of diseases<\/strong> not only to humans and dogs but to many creatures as well.<\/p>\n<p>This is because flies carry a lot of microbes in their body as they move around the area or from one infected creature to another.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately for dogs and humans, most of the disease-causing microbes that flies carry get killed in the stomach.<\/p>\n<p>The acidic stomach of dogs makes a hostile environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive in and survive.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, there is a <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/3701609\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study in 1986<\/a> that shows dogs\u2019 stomach acid is stronger than that of humans!<\/p>\n<p>But some microbes can survive inside their stomachs and can make your dog sick.<\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"-n-ujBex62o\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How do Microbes Survive in Stomach Acid? - Monthly Mailbag #12\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-n-ujBex62o?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Some of the known microorganisms that can survive the acidic nature of the stomach are also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/outbreaks-foodborne-illness\/foodborne-pathogens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">food-borne pathogens<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>These are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>E. coli<\/li>\n<li>Salmonella<\/li>\n<li>Helicobacter<\/li>\n<li>L. monocytogenes<\/li>\n<li>C. jejuni<\/li>\n<li>Yersinia spp<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Insecticide Poisoning<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Flies doused with bug sprays but managed to survive will be the vector of the toxins from the insecticide.<\/p>\n<p>When your unfortunate dog comes across these insects and eats them, it will indirectly absorb the toxins from the spray.<\/p>\n<p>If the bug spray that you applied around your house is not pet-safe, your dog may suffer from severe insecticide poisoning.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the pesticides that are harmful to your dogs are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carbamate insecticides<\/li>\n<li>d-Limonene<\/li>\n<li>Methoxychlor<\/li>\n<li>Pyrethrins or pyrethroids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/common-household-hazards-for-pets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">7 Common Household Hazards That Can Harm Your Pet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-103971\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/can-dog-eat-flies.jpg\" alt=\"can dog eat flies\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/can-dog-eat-flies.jpg 700w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/can-dog-eat-flies-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/can-dog-eat-flies-588x420.jpg 588w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/can-dog-eat-flies-640x457.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/can-dog-eat-flies-681x486.jpg 681w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/can-dog-eat-flies-600x429.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What To Do if Your Dog Ate a Fly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Dan, my dog ate a fly. What do I do if that happens?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Eating flies is safe, even if it's gross to think about it.<\/p>\n<p>But the microbes and pesticide toxins that come with the flies aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s what you need to look out for in scenarios where your dog had eaten a fly.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what you should do in case your dog eats a fly.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Observe Your Dog for Symptoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Always assume the worst case in this fly-eating incident and treat it as if your dog is already exposed to the risks.<\/p>\n<p>Now, observe your dog for symptoms and check its condition for a few days.<\/p>\n<p><em>But Dan, for a few days? That\u2019s too long!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yes, it is.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Unlike toxins, microbial infections follow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/5-stages-of-infection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stages of infections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This means that it would take some time for the symptoms to appear.<\/p>\n<p>Some viruses, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/parvo-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Canine Parvo disease<\/a>, can have an incubation period of up to seven days!<\/p>\n<p>So, unless your dog has swallowed a poisoned fly, you need to <strong>keep an eye on your beloved dog for a few days<\/strong> to confirm your dog\u2019s sickness.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Call Your Veterinarian<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It would also be nice to place a call to your local vet.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re on a call with your veterinarian, report all your observations to him.<\/p>\n<p>From the symptoms to the details of the incident, tell everything to your veterinarian.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, your vet can\u2019t provide a straightforward solution to your dog\u2019s suffering.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/telehealth-for-pets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Telehealth for Pets: 24\/7 Vet Guidance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Bring Your Dog to the Veterinary Clinic<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Finally, if your dog\u2019s symptoms worsen, don\u2019t waste a second and bring your dog to a veterinary clinic for better treatment.<\/p>\n<p>You can also take your dog to the vet for a follow-up check-up on your dog\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/symptoms-immediate-vet-visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">22 Signs and Symptoms That Require an Immediate Vet Visit<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-103972 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-did-my-dog-ate-a-fly.jpg\" alt=\"why did my dog eat a fly\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-did-my-dog-ate-a-fly.jpg 700w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-did-my-dog-ate-a-fly-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-did-my-dog-ate-a-fly-588x420.jpg 588w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-did-my-dog-ate-a-fly-640x457.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-did-my-dog-ate-a-fly-681x486.jpg 681w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-did-my-dog-ate-a-fly-600x429.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why Did My Dog Eat a Fly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Flies are not dogs\u2019 primary source of diet, and so are insects, in general.<\/p>\n<p>But for some reason, even when you\u2019re giving them sufficient food for the day, they\u2019ll still keep on eating flies.<\/p>\n<p>So, what\u2019s the problem? You\u2019re probably asking, \u201c<em>Why did my dog eat a fly?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Unless you\u2019re really not feeding your dog right, their fly-eating behaviors are more of an instinct problem instead.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some of the reasons that explain their behavior.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Preying Instinct<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Dogs, regardless of what dog breed groups they\u2019re in, are hard-wired with hunting instincts.<\/p>\n<p>Their hunting instincts go all the way back from their wolf ancestors.<\/p>\n<p>This means dogs naturally have some preying tendencies that drive them to catch small creatures.<\/p>\n<p>It just so happens that the fly your dog ate became the unfortunate victim of its instincts.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Boredom<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em>Yes, dogs can get bored too!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In fact, some dogs\u2014especially the smart ones\u2014will require a lot of mental stimulation to keep them entertained.<\/p>\n<p>Without satisfying its need for entertainment, your dog will get bored and will resort to destructive behaviors.<\/p>\n<p>And one of those is doing unusual things like catching and eating flies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/relieve-boredom-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Ways to Relieve Boredom in Dogs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Anxiety and Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When your dog is in panic, or it\u2019s suffering from anxiety, they also do unusual behaviors.<\/p>\n<p>Some of their behaviors, like being aggressive, are a means to get defensive and find comfort and safety.<\/p>\n<p>Other behaviors, on the other hand, are just your dog\u2019s way to alleviate themselves from the <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/signs-of-stress-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stress and anxiety<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And yes, one of those behaviors to help them alleviate stress is by eating insects like flies.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Other Insects Can Harm Your Dog?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Guess what? It\u2019s not only the flies that you look out for!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Turns out that there are a lot of insects that can inflict harm on your dogs.<\/p>\n<p>And if you\u2019re not careful, that insect that your dog ate can be its last.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some of the common insects that can harm your dog.<\/p>\n<p>Steer your dog away and prevent them from trying to eat these insects.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Bees and Wasps<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em>Your dog is not safe from bees.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Even <strong>honeybees have mild venom on their stings that can cause inflammation or irritation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And like humans, dogs also get varied reactions from the stings depending on how their body reacts to them.<\/p>\n<p>Some dogs can survive unscathed after receiving a few stings from them.<\/p>\n<p>While other dogs can go into a life-threatening <a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/emergency-medicine-critical-care\/anaphylactic-shock-effectively-diagnose-treat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">anaphylactic shock<\/a> from just one sting.<\/p>\n<p><em>And that\u2019s only a group of tamer bee species that we\u2019re talking about!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Imagine what wild bees and wasps can do to your dog.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, it\u2019s common for dogs to prey upon these stinging insects as a mid-air snack.<\/p>\n<p>The stings would eventually pop out and reveal itself as the bee\u2019s means of defense against its predator.<\/p>\n<p>Such an exposed sting can potentially prick your dog\u2019s mouth or esophagus as it eats its prey.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Spiders<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Spiders are generally harmless to dogs, but you should keep them away from them anyway.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s only a handful of spiders in the spider species list that are venomous, but these spiders can pack some potent toxins in their bites.<\/p>\n<p>Some species, like the black widow or the brown recluse, can send your dog into a world of pain.<\/p>\n<p>So, keep your eye on what small critters your dog is eating.<\/p>\n<p>Spiders may not be poisonous when ingested, but they can still wriggle and place a bite on your poor dog as it eats them.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Bright-Colored Caterpillars and Insects<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If there\u2019s something that nature taught you, is avoiding wild creatures with bright and unnatural colors.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/aposematism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aposematism<\/a> is the use of colors to warn their predators of how many toxins they have in their bodies.<\/p>\n<p>And this feature is being used by caterpillars and insects too!<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, dogs have limited vision of colors as they can\u2019t see green or red.<\/p>\n<p>But some aposematic insects and larvae use these colors to warn predators.<\/p>\n<p>Lucky for your dog, you can see them.<\/p>\n<p>And you can help them avoid an untimely accident by steering them away from these trouble bugs.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-103970\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-ate-a-fly.jpg\" alt=\"dog ate a fly\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-ate-a-fly.jpg 700w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-ate-a-fly-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-ate-a-fly-588x420.jpg 588w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-ate-a-fly-640x457.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-ate-a-fly-681x486.jpg 681w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-ate-a-fly-600x429.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>My Dog Ate a Fly: Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>My dog ate a fly! Is my dog in any danger?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Yes and no.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Houseflies, on their own, are neither poisonous nor venomous, so your dogs are safe even if they\u2019ve ingested one.<\/p>\n<p>That being said, they\u2019re vectors of various diseases and microbes.<\/p>\n<p>Heck, they can even absorb toxins from pesticides, which would make your dog sick.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why it\u2019s essential to monitor your dog and check its state for a few days. <em>Not hours, days!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And when you place a call with your vet, report everything you\u2019ve observed after your dog ate a fly.<\/p>\n<p>Observe your dog\u2019s condition and take it to the hospital if there are noticeable to severe symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>If you found this blog helpful, you might want to check out related articles about other things that your dog might accidentally eat.<\/p>\n<h3><em><strong>RELATED ARTICLES<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/my-dog-ate-a-cockroach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What Should I Do If My Dog Ate A Cockroach?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/my-dog-ate-a-spider\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">My Dog Ate a Spider: Should I Be Worried?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/my-dog-ate-a-rat-what-should-i-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">My Dog Ate a Rat: What Should I Do?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oh no! My dog ate a fly! What should I do? Well, first of all, your dog must\u2019ve been a nimble fellow to catch a fly mid-air. I couldn\u2019t swat a fly myself, so that must\u2019ve been a feat to see! Secondly, eating flies is not a common thing that dogs do. There must\u2019ve been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":103968,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[659,637,150],"tags":[4322,4321,4320],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103891"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/77"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103891"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104048,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103891\/revisions\/104048"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}