Are millipedes poisonous to dogs? What happens if a dog eats a millipede? In this article, we’ll answer both of these, which includes teaching you the simple commands and other things you need to stop your dog eating millipedes once and for all. Finally, we’ll instruct you on how to get rid of millipedes in the house. Keep reading!

Are Millipedes Poisonous to Dogs?

Millipedes are not poisonous to dogs, though they can still pose a threat due to the toxins they carry. However, they can cause discomfort and potential health issues if a dog interacts with or ingests them. It’s always a good idea to discourage your dog from sniffing, biting, or eating millipedes.

Are Millipedes Dangerous to Dogs?

Millipedes are not dangerous to dogs generally. However, when threatened, millipedes can secrete a toxin as a defense mechanism. If a dog interacts with a millipede, this toxin can cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

If your dog eats a millipede, they could experience oral or gastrointestinal irritation. These symptoms usually resolve on their own, but if they persist, seek veterinary attention.

Millipede Poisonous to Dogs

While not poisonous in the traditional sense, the toxins millipedes release can lead to mild to moderate discomfort in dogs. Symptoms can include drooling, pawing at the mouth or face, vomiting, and a general change in behavior.

In very rare cases, some dogs may experience tremors or seizures after ingesting a millipede. If your dog shows severe symptoms like these, it’s important that you contact your veterinarian immediately.

Training the ‘Stay’ Command

Training your dog to stay on command is a very effective way to prevent them from interacting with potentially harmful creatures such as millipedes. Here’s a simple way to do it:

1. Start with your dog in a sitting position.
2. Hold out your hand like a stop sign and say ‘stay.’
3. After a few seconds, reward your dog with a treat if they stayed in place.
4. Gradually increase the duration of the ‘stay’ before giving a reward.
5. Practice in different locations and with different distractions to solidify the command.

Training the ‘Leave it’ Command

The ‘leave it’ command is another valuable tool. Here’s a brief guide:

1. Hold a treat in both hands.
2. Show your dog one enclosed fist with the treat inside and say ‘leave it.’
3. Ignore the behaviors your dog displays to get the treat and once they stop trying, give them the treat from the other hand.
4. Repeat until your dog moves away from the first fist when you say ‘leave it.’
5. Next, only treat your dog when they make eye contact with you after moving away from the first fist.
6. You can then practice this command with different items and gradually move onto more challenging situations.

These steps will get your dog to leave millipedes alone, but it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issues (prey drive, curiosity, overexcitement) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present. And until you address those, any positive changes you see are only going to be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like when your dog can’t leave millipedes alone and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog bothering millipedes ever again!

What Happens if a Dog Eats a Millipede?

If a dog eats a millipede, it may experience some discomfort, including drooling, pawing at the mouth, or vomiting due to the unpleasant taste and potential release of irritating chemicals by the millipede. Most of these effects are temporary and should resolve on their own. However, if you notice excessive distress or prolonged symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Can Dogs Eat Millipedes?

While millipedes are not poisonous to dogs, you should not let your pet eat them. Millipedes can release a foul-tasting and smelling chemical known as benzoquinones when they feel threatened or are chewed. This chemical can cause drooling, pawing at the mouth, or vomiting in dogs. If eaten in large numbers, millipedes could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset.

My Dog Ate a Millipede

If your dog ate a millipede, remain calm. The first step is to observe your pet for any immediate reactions such as excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or vomiting. These are common responses due to the unpleasant taste of the millipede’s defense chemical. Offer fresh water to help your dog rinse its mouth.

Keep monitoring your dog over the next several hours for any signs of discomfort or distress. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if your dog ate a large number of millipedes, it’s best to seek veterinary attention.

Dog Ate Millipede

After your dog ate a millipede, it’s important to prevent any further ingestion. If there are more millipedes around, remove your dog from the area. Maintain regular pest control to minimize the millipede population around your home, and supervise your dog while they are outdoors to ensure they don’t eat more millipedes.

Train your dog to respond to commands like “leave it” or “stay.” This training can help prevent them from eating millipedes or other potential hazards in the future. We explain how to do these commands in the first section. Positive reinforcement methods such as treats or praise when they respond correctly will help with this training.

Dogs Eating Millipedes: Conclusion

While it’s not typically harmful for a dog to eat a millipede, it’s not encouraged due to the unpleasant effects caused by the millipede’s defense chemicals. Keep an eye on your pet and ensure they have access to clean water if they do eat a millipede.

Training your dog to avoid eating millipedes or other bugs, coupled with regular pest control, is the best prevention. Learn how in the first section. Always consult with your vet if you’re unsure or if your dog shows prolonged signs of distress after eating a millipede.

It’s important to work on this behavior with your dog right away so that they’ll be protected for any other future encounters. You then won’t have to worry about things like centipedes biting dogs, cicadas being poisonous to dogs, moths being poisonous to dogs, lubber grasshoppers being poisonous to dogs, or even your dog eating flies or your dog eating crickets.

Do Millipedes Bite Dogs?

Millipedes do not bite dogs, but they do have defensive mechanisms that can potentially cause mild irritation in dogs if they come into direct contact with or eat them.

Here’s a more in-depth exploration of this topic.

1. Millipedes Don’t Bite, They Release Toxic Secretions: Millipedes are arthropods known for their many-legged appearance. They don’t have the ability to bite or sting, but they can secrete a toxic substance when threatened. Some species of millipedes have glands that produce a foul-smelling, toxic liquid that can cause skin irritation, especially if your dog touches or tries to eat them.
2. What If Your Dog Encounters a Millipede: While most reactions are mild, if your dog has a close encounter with a millipede, it could lead to symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, or pawing at the mouth due to the unpleasant taste of the toxic secretion. Dogs with sensitive skin might also develop a rash or irritation if they come into contact with these secretions.
3. Preventing Contact: It’s best to prevent your dog from interacting with millipedes whenever possible. This can be done by teaching your dog to avoid these creatures during walks or playtime outside and by managing your home and yard to reduce the presence of millipedes. Learn the commands you’ll need in the first section.
4. What to Do If Your Dog Has Reacted to a Millipede: If your dog has interacted with a millipede and shows signs of discomfort, it’s best to wash the affected area with mild soap and water. If symptoms persist, or if your dog appears sick after possibly ingesting a millipede, contact your vet for advice right away.

In conclusion, while millipedes don’t bite dogs, their defense mechanism can cause minor discomfort for your pet. As always, if you notice your dog showing signs of distress or illness, reach out to a vet for professional advice. Learn to prevent future encounters in the first section of this article.

How to Get Rid of Millipedes in House

To effectively get rid of millipedes in your house, you’ll need to use a combination of direct removal, environmental modifications, and preventative measures. The core idea is to create an environment that’s unattractive to them and to remove existing millipedes.

1. Direct Removal: The simplest way to get rid of a millipede if you see one is to sweep or vacuum it up and then release it outside, far away from your house. Keep in mind that millipedes, like all pests, can multiply quickly, so a proactive approach to removal can prevent a small problem from becoming a major infestation.
2. Environmental Modifications: Millipedes prefer damp, dark environments. By reducing moisture and dark hiding places in your home, you can make it less attractive to them. This can be achieved by using dehumidifiers, sealing leaks, keeping your home well-lit, and removing clutter.
3. Seal Entry Points: Millipedes get into your house through cracks and holes in walls, floors, and foundations. Sealing these entry points can prevent millipedes from entering your home. Use a suitable sealant for gaps and consider installing door sweeps to stop them from getting in under doors.
4. Use Insecticides: Insecticides can help control a millipede infestation. Choose a product labeled safe for use around pets and that’s targeted against millipedes. You should then follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely. Insecticides should be used as a last resort and always with caution.

Getting rid of millipedes involves removing them directly, modifying your environment to be less millipede-friendly, sealing potential entry points, and using insecticides as a last resort. It’s always best to act quickly at the first sign of an infestation to prevent it from getting worse.

I’m sure you’re ready to not worry about this problem anymore, so I’ll let you get started with everything now. Good luck with all of this, and thanks for reading our article “Are Millipedes Poisonous to Dogs? [Fully Answered]”.