Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask people to please not leave wild bird food on the floor/within reach of dogs?

60 replies

TaDuck · 20/06/2025 10:14

Several people in my local area have taken to scattering bird seed that contains raisins/sultanas on the ground or on little food stations that are low to the ground. A friend of mine had to take her dog to the vet this morning because he was snaffling around and started tucking in before she realised it was raisins.

Raisins (even in very small amounts) are toxic to dogs, cats and possibly other wildlife like foxes.

I've posted on the FB group for my local area as well but just wanted to put it on here to share as widely as I can!

OP posts:
RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 20/06/2025 10:44

OP gave examples of a few animals that could be affected

thank you OP, I didn’t know any of that

MariLlwyd · 20/06/2025 10:42

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/06/2025 10:39

There's always one 😆

Show quote history

Nope. More than one actually.

redboxer321 · 20/06/2025 10:42

MariLlwyd · 20/06/2025 10:33

Our wild bird population is in decline - the kind people who leave the food should be applauded. Perhaps keep dogs on a short lead and be aware what they're doing at all times?

And what would you suggest we do with hedgehogs, to site just one example? Raisins are toxic to them as well as a number of other animals. It's not only dogs.

If people want to feed the birds, the should buy proper food and put it in areas where other animals - domesticated and wild - cannot eat it.

The amount of crap food that is discarded in the environment under the excuse of 'feeding the birds' is insane.

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/06/2025 10:39

PollyBell · 20/06/2025 10:25

So these bird feeders are in public areas? And why are the dogs not on leads in the first place?

There's always one 😆

GasPanic · 20/06/2025 10:39

Dogs should be on leads in areas where there are lots of wild birds so as not to chase them, especially ground dwelling birds like ducks.

sueelleker · 20/06/2025 10:35

NewPinkJacket · 20/06/2025 10:19

I feel sorry for the poor dog but as an owner of two of them, this post could be about anything really.

You have to watch them like a hawk when you're walking them, to make sure they don't gobble these things up.

Hazards here include discarded chicken shop bones, hypodermic needles and wild mushrooms.

My niece's two spaniels found and ate some marijuana in a woodland. Expensive trip to the vet for both of them.

MariLlwyd · 20/06/2025 10:33

Our wild bird population is in decline - the kind people who leave the food should be applauded. Perhaps keep dogs on a short lead and be aware what they're doing at all times?

MauriceTheMussel · 20/06/2025 10:31

NewPinkJacket · 20/06/2025 10:19

I feel sorry for the poor dog but as an owner of two of them, this post could be about anything really.

You have to watch them like a hawk when you're walking them, to make sure they don't gobble these things up.

Hazards here include discarded chicken shop bones, hypodermic needles and wild mushrooms.

Agree. No snaffling should ever be allowed!

PollyBell · 20/06/2025 10:25

So these bird feeders are in public areas? And why are the dogs not on leads in the first place?

NewPinkJacket · 20/06/2025 10:19

I feel sorry for the poor dog but as an owner of two of them, this post could be about anything really.

You have to watch them like a hawk when you're walking them, to make sure they don't gobble these things up.

Hazards here include discarded chicken shop bones, hypodermic needles and wild mushrooms.