Comments on: Shedding Dogs Help Wildlife

By: Johannfamily4

Johannfamily4 — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:08:00 +0000

We actually learned from our vet that the flea control (such as advantix or frontline) treated fur is great for the nests, as it keeps the fleas off the birds and helps keep flea population in the yards down.

By: Pauline Horn

Pauline Horn — Sun, 01 May 2011 20:14:00 +0000

This is only appropriate if you haven’t used flea/tick prevention on your dog. But in late winter, before I have applied the prevention, I save the hair (cat hair, too) and place it near my feeder in a suet basket. The birds take it and use it to line their nest. Since it will still insulate even when it’s wet (like wool, but unlike cotton) it’s particularly useful, and of course free!

By: David Mizejewski

David Mizejewski — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:33:00 +0000

While I don’t know of any studies that have actually looked at this issue, my understanding is that products like Frontline distribute themselves into the skin of the animal, not the hair. While elements of these chemicals might end being incorporated into the hairs I think they’d be in a different form than the raw product.

Think of it like a drug test that they do on people. They can detect drugs that a person has taken by analyzing hair samples, but that doesn’t mean that handling that hair or even ingesting it will get someone high.

So my guess is that it wouldn’t have any effect on birds to put out dog hair for them to use in their nests. Now, if you’re using topical treatments like flea powders, the residue of which could still be found on your dog’s hair, that seems like a different story.

If anyone knows of any studies looking at the presence of Frontline or other chemicals on pet fur, please share them here.

By: Christa Hanson

Christa Hanson — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:28:00 +0000

Great question from a twitter friend, is the dog fur safe for birds even if the dog has been treated with topical flea control, like Frontline?

By: MaryBurnette

MaryBurnette — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Thanks for the advise. We have an independent pet store in the town where I live and I’ll check out their options for grain-free.

By: jojodancer

jojodancer — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

to MIKE WELLS; My husky used to shed like that until my new vet put him on a GRAIN-FREE food 2 years ago. he also had horrible scratching and itching constantly! on the new diet-ALL GONE!! no scratching-itching, the shedding is now minimal even at season change! Who knew?! She put it very succinctly when she said ” ever see wolves forage in a corn or wheat field”? Made a lot of sense! Try one of the grain free foods, mostly available at independent pet stores and online! they cost a little more but so worth it!

By: jojodancer

jojodancer — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 03:53:00 +0000

I brush out my husky outside all the time and figured out years ago the squirrels and birds were helping themselves to the furballs! Good for them, and deliberately leaving it out for them is a great idea!

By: Mike Wells

Mike Wells — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 02:37:00 +0000

My American Eskimo sheds all year long. I think an entire flock of birds could build homes using his furry castoffs.

By: Cocobaby5

Cocobaby5 — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 01:26:00 +0000

Dryer lint is not good for the chicks. It contains chemicals and will also become water repellent. When it rains, the lint will hold the water inside the nest. Sorry, I know you mean well. I believed for years that dryer lint was a good nesting material. It wasn’t until this year I found out through a bird website that it isn’t.

By: Johnakamatsu

Johnakamatsu — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 22:49:00 +0000

Cotton is not good. When it is wet, it does not keep the chicks warm, like wool or fur.