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Did you know that some dogs are terrified by feathers?
Every dog is unique; some are excited when they come across a feather, while others may get scared.
So, if your dog is obsessed with feathers, this shouldn’t surprise you.
The only question that should linger on your mind is why it is obsessed with feathers.
Dogs may be excited by feathers because of various reasons.
2 Reasons Why Dogs Play With Feathers
1. Curiosity
Naturally, dogs are curious creatures.
Different things, tools, and items can be fascinating to dogs, including feathers if they haven’t seen a feather before.
Also, if dogs are very well conversant with feathers, their hunting instincts associate feathers with food.
2. Playing Item
Dogs will play with anything that they come across.
Pet owners are always advised to keep their precious items away from dogs as they may chew them when bored or lonely.
So, if your dog comes across a feather, there is a high chance it will start to play with it.
After all, the feather is not harmful to the dog even if it chews it.
Most furry friends will chase the feathers as they glide in the air.
Should I Let My Dog Play With Feathers?
Yes, you can.
Your dog can play with feathers as long as it is not scared of them.
However, if your dog is afraid of feathers, avoid them.
Some dogs fear feathers because they tickle them or feel frightened by how the feather moves.
Feathers are not toxic and won’t hurt your four-legged friend.
Are there Feather Toys for Dogs to Play with?
Yes! feathers for dogs to play with can be found on toy stores and e-commerce websites like Amazon.
The beautiful thing about artificial feathers for dogs to play with are:
- They are safe– You don’t have to worry about your dog chocking on the sharp end of normal feathers
- They are cheap– For as little as $10, you can get 200 pieces of feathers that can keep your dog busy over a long period of time.
- Different colors– If your dog has a bubbly personality and is mesmerized by colors, artificial feathers are the best choice since they come in different colors, sizes, and shapes.
- Non-toxic– Artificial feathers cannot harm your dog since they are sterilized before use compared to natural feathers that could be a breeding ground for parasites like lice.
Can Feathers Give My Dog An Allergy?
Apart from the tingly sensations feathers give when passed through the skin, most feathers are not harmful to dogs and humans.
However, if your dog has had a medical history of allergies, feathers can act as an allergy trigger, although this is a rare possibility.
In such cases, since you understand your dog best, consult your vet for a solution or avoid feathers near your dog at all costs.
After all, prevention is better than cure. You wouldn’t want to lose your dog because of feathers.
Is It Possible To Stop My Dog From Playing With Feathers?
The best way to stop your dog from chasing or playing with feathers is by giving them a treat every time you see them playing with feathers.
You should take action if your dog can develop bad habits, such as chasing after your neighbor’s geese or chicken when playing with feathers.
However, it would be best if you understood that it’s not an easy task. It would be best if you exercised patience.
Alternatively, you can buy your different dog toys to keep them busy when it is bored or lonely.
Other dogs chew feathers because they are deficient in vitamins.
A dog needing vitamins may chew on the feathers to compensate for the missing minerals and vitamins.
So, you should feed your dog the right foods, so it doesn’t miss vital nutrients.
Another way to stop your dog from playing with feathers is by cleaning the compound and ensuring that there are no feathers around.
Clean out your poultry compound regularly so that no feather is left behind when the dogs get out to play.
The Feathers Smell!
Dogs always have a hunting instinct.
Before dogs were domesticated, they were canines that lived and survived in the wild.
So, you should not be astonished if your dog chases and chews a bird’s feather.
Most dogs may associate feathers with food as they usually have a smell of a bird.
Therefore, your furry friend may be tempted to chew the feather because it smells like a bird.
Besides, dogs do smell their food better by chewing it. If they discover that the feather smells like a bird’s body, their instinct to hunt and eat will set in.
My Dog Eats Bird Feathers: Should I Be Worried?
No, you should not be worried.
On the other hand, it may be beneficial for your dog as feathers help cleanse its digestive system.
The bird’s feathers also help clean the dog’s teeth, which helps remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
However, it isn’t a good idea for your dog to chew and eat hard feathers with spikes because large feathers are harmful.
It would be best if you always were keen on the types of feathers your dog plays with or chews, as not all of them are safe.
Conclusion
Your dog may be obsessed with feathers because she wants to play with them or wants to show her hunting instincts; whatever the reason, let them have fun.
Nevertheless, it would help if you kept a close eye on your dog so that it does not end up chasing the feathers like a poultry house in your home.
You can easily stop your dog from chasing feathers by substituting them with treats whenever you see them chewing a feather.
Overall, if your dog is obsessed with feathers, this shouldn’t give you sleepless nights as it is not harmful.
Ensure that your dog is chewing or eating the feathers for fun, but not because it is making up for lacking some nutrients in the body.
Get your different dog toys if you don’t want them playing with feathers!
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who has been into researching and writing about pets to help other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets. Currently, she runs Purrfect n’ Pawesome along with her team of experienced and dedicated pet experts. Along with being an awesome writer and entrepreneur, Amanda is a cat mom to two innocently spoiled cats, Balanca and Scruffy.
She has been writing about pet care and nurturing and wants to share her readers’ experiences, learnings, and knowledge.
Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime.
Her family, her entire universe revolves around her two cats, who give her endless support and inspiration to move ahead with her objectives in life. Amanda is a live example of a balanced approach to all parenthood questions we all face in life.
