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Does Dog Food Attract Roaches

Are roaches attracted to dog food
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    Cockroaches will eat almost anything, but a particular favorite of the pest is dog food. In fact, entomologists who keep cockroaches for studies or as pets will often supply the insects with dog food to fulfill their dietary requirements and make sure they grow up healthy. 

    Unfortunately, the appeal of dog food to cockroaches means that if you have any unsecured food for Fido, you may receive some unwelcome guests instead. Here’s how to deal with roaches that want to stake their claim in your dog’s food.

    Does dog food attract roaches?

    Roaches will take any available food as an invitation to stop by for a meal. When dealing with a roach infestation, the first step is to get rid of any food that has been left out in the open. Just like scraps from the kitchen, dog food can be a cockroach magnet. Some people like to leave dog food out so their dogs can eat whenever they get hungry. This is not a great idea for many reasons, including the way that this will attract roaches.

    Dog food has a high protein content, which roaches love. When it is left out, it becomes all the more appealing. The smell of the dog food can be picked up by the cockroaches’ sensitive antennae, leading them right to your dog’s bowl. If roaches get into your dog’s food, they can cause health problems, so it is important to do everything you can to keep cockroaches away from your dog’s food.

    How to Keep Roaches Out of Your Dog Food

    Keeping roaches out of your dog’s food is key to preserving the health of your pet. Fortunately, with a little care, you will be able to keep the insects from infesting your dog’s food with minimal effort. The most important part of keeping roaches out of your dog food is to make sure that it is not openly available to them.

    If you spill your dog’s food, clean it up immediately. Leaving it out for your dog to snack on may seem like a good idea at the time, but you will have just created a perfect roach attracter. Besides, leaving dog food out can cause it to grow bacteria regardless of roaches, so there Is no reason to leave pet food spills.

    You can also elevate your dog’s food bowl to limit access from roaches. Keeping it off the ground will eliminate the path that the roaches have to reach the food. Your dog may be more comfortable feeding from an elevated bowl if they are a large breed as well.

    Always store your dog food or cat food in a sealed container. This will not only keep your dog from getting into it but will prevent roaches from accessing the food. That means do not leave your dog’s food out overnight. Leaving food in the dish will create a roach magnet and lead to more health issues with your dog. Keep open bags of dog food in a large plastic container with a lid or some other container that closes completely and securely.

    What Should You Do With Dog Food Infested With Roaches?

    If your dry dog food has been infested, you have two options. You can either decide to raise a roach colony in your home or throw it all away. Roaches spread harmful bacteria that you do not want your dog to eat.

    You cannot use roach killing methods on dog food and expect it to be still edible. Pesticides are toxic to any animal that ingests them, so even less offensive ones such as boric acid or diatomaceous earth cause your dog to get very sick. Don’t take any risks with food that roaches have contaminated, or you may be paying for an expensive vet trip very shortly.

    What if Your Dog Eats a Cockroach?

    Dogs, much like cockroaches, will eat what is in front of them. They may not even notice it if a cockroach slips into their bowl and down their throat. Cockroaches are not naturally poisonous, so they do not necessarily always pose a threat to your dog. However, this does not mean that a dog eating a cockroach is not a source of concern. 

    Cockroaches can carry bacteria and internal parasites that you do not want to get into your dog’s system. It is very important to note that you should never try to get your dog to throw something up without a trained veterinarian’s guidance. You can easily make a problem worse if you do not have the actual training in dog anatomy and medicine that vets require.

    If you are already treating your home for cockroaches, and your dog ate one, this can be even more serious. Poisoned cockroaches are poisonous to dogs as well. You do not want your dog ingesting poisoned cockroaches or cockroach bait traps, as it can cause serious internal damage. If you think that your dog has eaten roach poison, get them to the vet immediately.

    You may be unsure if your dog has eaten a roach, whether it has been poisoned or not. If you suspect that your dog has eaten a roach, monitor their health very carefully. If you notice any lethargy, vomiting, shivering, pain, uncoordinated gait, or other bizarre symptoms, get them to the vet as quickly as you can.

    The bottom line is that if your dog has eaten roach-infested pet food, they may require medical attention. Roaches spread disease and parasites and may be poisoned from infestation treatments. Always put your dog’s health first and get them to a vet if you are worried that they may have eaten a roach.

    The best way to ensure that you never have to deal with these issues is to eliminate roaches before they pose a problem. Always keep your house clean and get rid of food sources for the roaches. Contact a local pest control professional if you have a cockroach infestation. You can also try some home methods to control your roach population.

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