Can owls eat dogs?
In this dog blog, we will answer the major question, “Can owls eat dogs?” we will also discuss the reasons for owls attacking dogs, how you can prevent an owl from attacking your dog, and how a vet treats your dog after an owl attack.
Can owls eat dogs?
Yes, owls can eat dogs. The only species of owl that is capable of attacking and eating dogs is the great horned owl. This owl is around 9 pounds and is capable of attacking and lifting small cats and dogs. They will attack your dog anywhere so you need to protect your dog from such attacks.
What are the reasons for owls attacking your dog?
Following are the reasons for owls attacking your dog:
Hunger
The first and the basic reason is hunger. If the owl is hungry it will attack your dog. If you are living near the nest of the great horned owl then the attack is pretty much obvious. The great horned owl is a hunter. They hunt birds and small mammals such as cats and dogs.
In the wild the food is scarce, so the owl will hunt in order to feed itself and its babies.
Fear
The next thing is fear. If the great horned owl senses fear, it will attack your dog. If your dog is near the nest of the great horned owl then it will sense fear due to the eggs in the nest. The mother owl will protect its babies at any cost and will attack your dog in that case.
Territory marking
In the wild, the hunters mark their territory which means it’s their land and no other wild animal is allowed to enter this land. If your dog suddenly enters that area in which there is a nest of an owl, it will be a violation of the law in the wild so the owl will attack your dog.
It’s a kind of competition in the wild in which the land and the food is scarce.
How can your vet treat your dog after an owl attack?
The first thing you should do if your dog has experienced an owl attack is to take your dog to the vet. You will see sloughed skin, bruises, and scratches on the skin. Your vet will perform a general exam and will treat your dog according to the condition of your dog.
An owl attack wound ranges from mild to severe. In mild form, there are a limited number of scratches on the back of the head. In severe form, the bones had been broken, which is very painful for your dog. If the bones are broken your vet will go for x-rays and other tests to check the patency of the bones. Afterward, your vet will treat your dog.
Your vet will clean the wound with antiseptic solutions and administer painkillers and antibiotics. The painkiller will help your dog to eat and drink because in pain the body releases prostaglandins which inhibit the appetite center in the brain of the body. The antibiotics will prevent any bacterial infection in the body.
How can you protect your dog from an owl attack?
Following are the ways by which you can protect your dog from an owl attack:
Lights
You can install lights in your yard, which will distract the great horned owl and will scare it. Owls attack at night, so you need to be vigilant if your dog is in the yard at night.
Keep your dog indoors
You should keep your dog indoors so that the owl cannot attack your dog otherwise it will have worse consequences. Keeping your dog inside will also protect your dog from other wild animals too.
Keep birds out of the yard
Owls are hunters, they will hunt birds if they see them. You should keep the birds out of your yard so that the owl doesn’t find an opportunity to attack your dog while it is playing in the yard.
Careful about the nearby nest
You should be aware of the nearby nest of the great horned owl. If you are living near a forest there is a greater chance of an owl nest in the forest. You must know where it is and in what part of the day the great horned owl attacks.
Cover the yard
The best thing is to cover the yard. This will prevent the owl from attacking your dog and is the safest way of protecting your dog.
Conclusion
In this dog blog, we answered our important question, “Can owls eat dogs?” we also covered the reason for owls attacking dogs, how you can prevent an owl from attacking your dog, and how a vet treats your dog after an owl attack.
