How to Keep Birds Away from Dog Food

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 27, 2020 References

If you feed your dog outdoors (or simply store your dog food outside), you may have noticed birds stealing some of your kibble. If you’d rather not nourish the local bird population, there are a few things you can do. By getting your dogs on a feeding schedule (which reduces leftover food), storing your kibble properly, and actively repelling birds from your yard, you can keep birds away from your dog’s dinner.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Feeding Your Dogs on a Schedule

1
Feed your dog twice a day. Dogs stay in the best shape if they eat two meals a day. Feed your dog only as much food as it will eat in ten minutes. That way, it'll all be eaten and leftovers won't remain to entice the birds.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Wait ten minutes. Allow your dog ten, supervised minutes for mealtime. In general, birds will not bother your dog while it is eating. If any birds should show up, you can scare them away yourself.

Advertisement
3
Remove any leftover food. After ten minutes, pick up the dog's bowl and wait until the next scheduled feeding time. Your dog will adjust his eating patterns to get all the nutrition he needs in two ten-minute feedings.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- After a period of one to two weeks your dog should be adjusted to this new feeding regimen.
- If your dog has not adjusted after two weeks, consult your vet for advice.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Storing Dog Food Properly

1
Store food in animal-proof containers. In addition to keeping birds from stealing the food in your dog’s dish, you must keep birds from getting into your dog food supply. A great way to do this is to invest in an animal-proof dog food storage container.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- One option is the Vittles Vault.
- Such storage containers are available at pet stores and online.
2
Retain original packaging. The bag that dog food comes in helps protect the food from oxygen and humidity. Rather than dumping the contents of the bag into a pet food storage container, place the entire bag inside. This will further protect your dog’s food from birds and other animals while helping to keep the food fresh.
3
Keep dog food indoors. If birds (or other wildlife) getting into your dog’s food is a serious problem for you, you might consider keeping your dog’s food inside your home. It might also be helpful to feed your dog inside, at least for a period of time, to allow the birds to move on.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Repelling Birds From Your Yard

1
Hang chimes or bells. If you want birds to stay out of your dog’s food, one course of action is to repel them from your yard altogether. A simple and inexpensive way to deter birds is to hang noise-making chimes and bells. Most birds dislike the sounds of these ornaments and stay away.^{[5]
X
Research source}
2
Put up “flashy” décor. Anything shiny or flashy can also help to keep away birds. This includes Mylar balloons, spheres that flash when they turn in the sun, shiny pinwheels, and/or strips of foil that catch the light. These objects are annoying to birds and help keep them out of your yard (and away from your dog’s food).^{[6]
X
Research source}
3
Play audio recordings. If you are a fan of more high-tech gadgets, you can purchase sonic devises that mimic bird distress sounds and/or the sounds of predator birds (like owls). Although these products are a bit more expensive (around $110), they have been shown to be very effective at keeping birds away.^{[7]
X
Research source}