Scavenging while out walking

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Okay so my dog is such a greedy thing, she'll eat anything! While we're out walking she will pick up all sorts, including poop of any kind, discarded food, fallen fruit etc. Which brings me to my question, there's a certain house we go past that has some sort of fruit tree on the edge of their garden. The fruit falls into the road and if I'm not quick enough, Roxy eats said fruit. I have no idea what they are, they're some sort of berry, look like blueberries in colour and shape but look too big to be them. Any ideas? I don't mind her eating them if they're okay for dogs but obviously don't want her eating anything that could be harmful.

 

[Mad Murphy]

Have you seen this?
Aberdeen man warns dog owners about the dangers of toxic yellow plums | Press and Journal

the pips or stones in many fruits are dangerus to dogs so you might want to discourage your dogs from eating them whole.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Thanks for that, I didn't think about the possible stone inside!

 

[JudyN]

Could you take a photo of the fruit, and the tree it came from? Then we'd probably be able to id it.

 

[leashedForLife]

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If she’s that indiscriminate in her scavenging (& I am not doubting U in the least, some dogs will eat anything that remotely resembles or was once food, or contacted food - such as a film or foil wrapper, crisps bag, nut SHELLS, etc), if she was mine, I would have her wear a basket muzzle.

It’s not a punishment, it would simply be part of her wardrobe, worn on walks just like her collar or harness, & leash. It will prevent her from getting odd junk into her mouth, but check the fit - be certain there is at least an inch & a half or even 2 inches of OPEN SPACE between the end of her nose, & the inner mesh of the nose plate at the front of the basket.

A basket muzzle won’t inhibit her breathing, she can pant freely & safely regulate her core-temp, but she needs to either PLUNGE the muzzle & her foreface into water, or have a sport-cap bottle inserted between the bars, to get a drink whilst wearing it.
If she wears one while running in a fenced paddock, she will need a bucket to drink from, secured to the fence or a post so that it cannot fall over & spill.
If she’s on leash, a sport-cap bottle is much easier to carry than a bucket.

Slip the sport-cap between the bars with the cap popped up, presenting it to the SIDE of her mouth, not the front; tip it up & let it dribble, & she can safely swallow it with no risk of choking. If the dribble slows or stops, squeeze the bottle gently, then release it, to let air enter & relieve the vacuum.
If she gets really warm, tip her head down to the off-side & insert the open sport cap on the UPPER side, then squeeze the bottle gently & let the cool water sluice over her tongue & right out the far side, to the ground. It will wash away saliva that has evaporated & thickened, & she will cool off a bit faster.

Signs that she’s overheating include tongue darkens, from rosy pink to bright or deep red or even purplish, thickened saliva that does not run easily but makes strands & hangs, & “spooning” - the front of the tongue is lifted off the floor of the mouth, to expose more mucus membrane, & the sides curl in from the edges, to form the bowl of a spoon.

- terry

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[Josie]

Are they sloe berries? they're out this time of year. We've made sloe gin several times....maybe she's trying to tell you something

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Thanks @leashedForLife, interesting suggestion!
Yes! @Josie that looks exactly like them, we did go past today and I picked one up and squished it, it has pale yellowy flesh and does have a small stone inside. So are slo berries okay for dogs? (Minus the stone obviously).

 

[Josie]

Thanks @leashedForLife, interesting suggestion!
Yes! @Josie that looks exactly like them, we did go past today and I picked one up and squished it, it has pale yellowy flesh and does have a small stone inside. So are slo berries okay for dogs? (Minus the stone obviously).

Yes they are like that inside. I’m not sure if they’re ok for dogs to eat though I’m afraid. Maybe check with the vets?
They’re very nice soaked in gin though for the humans! (You soak them in gin over about 6-8 weeks and then discard of the actual berry)

 

[Caro Perry]

They are one of the plum family. Horribly bitter though if eaten raw (great in gin!). I expect it went down in one gulp - if he'd actually tasted it I expect he'd have spat it out!

They are poisonous to us as well and how many of us have accidentality swallowed the odd plum stone and lived to tell the tale?

@Josie - you are missing a trick with your gin soaked berries - cover them in dark chocolate!

 

[Josie]

They are one of the plum family. Horribly bitter though if eaten raw (great in gin!). I expect it went down in one gulp - if he'd actually tasted it I expect he'd have spat it out!

They are poisonous to us as well and how many of us have accidentality swallowed the odd plum stone and lived to tell the tale?

@Josie - you are missing a trick with your gin soaked berries - cover them in dark chocolate!

Oooooh that sounds very nice! Anything with chocolate is a win

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

They are one of the plum family. Horribly bitter though if eaten raw (great in gin!). I expect it went down in one gulp - if he'd actually tasted it I expect he'd have spat it out!

They are poisonous to us as well and how many of us have accidentality swallowed the odd plum stone and lived to tell the tale?

@Josie - you are missing a trick with your gin soaked berries - cover them in dark chocolate!

Actually no! She eats one every time we go past! Well she did, I'm more careful now. My dog is a dustbin, she eats ANYTHING! hahaha.
Yeah chocolate soaked berries sound much better!