Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

How to help a scared, malnourished, smelly stray dog on my porch?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | unneutered | 5 years and 2 months old | 20 lbs

A dog came up to my porch the other day, he seems to malnourished and a pungent smell is coming from his body and he is too afraid to meet anyone but me what should I do and how ?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 10th, 2019

Poor dog! I would call your local SPCA to come and get him. They can get him veterinary treatment and eventually him a home. If you are willing to take him in and assume financial responsibility for him, I'd take him into a vet asap.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. I found a puppy yesterday and he was full of fleas and was skinny to the point you could feel his bones. I was wondering on where to take him.
This poor puppy! I would take him into your local SPCA. They can treat his fleas, take him into a vet for care, and can find a home for him when he's healthy. You can also see if there is a local dog rescue in your area to help you. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. Last night i found an injured dog.. He is very weak. He drinks milk. And he has alot of insects inside his body. He is jst sleeping alot since last night. I dont know what to do
Hi there, it was very nice of you to find this dog and take care of him overnight. I would recommend to call any local emergency veterinary hospital in your area or the local humane society/rescue organizations and let them know you have an injured dog that needs medical attention. Veterinarians can provide care to relieve pain and suffering at no charge. It is our duty as veterinarians to do so for animals. If you are considering keeping him as your pet he needs immediate medical attention as well. He is injured, needs evaluation, and needs medications for his parasites and pain. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I need advice and help on how to rescue a fearful homeless puppy. I have offered him water and it took him about 30 minutes to drink and lay down but he's still cautious. He looks like a German Shepherd x Border Collie mix or something like that. Sev
The easiest way to get him would be to set up a live trap. You place food in the trap and when he eventually goes in to get it the door to the cage will close and he will not be harmed. The other option would be to continue what you are doing by visiting him frequently and offering him food and treats. Once he trusts you to get close enough you can slip a leash around his neck to secure him. Keep in mind that even if he comes to you once he will likely still be fearful for a long time. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
i stray dog come up to r house we stared to feed and water her but she throw up put has no diarrhea is holding down water and food your hours and she very weak do she have parvo?
She could have parvo. If this is a stray dog I suggest you either take her to your local animal shelter or call animal control to come pick her up so she can get treatment. If you want to keep her then I suggest you take her to your local vet for an exam. I know this one is a little ways from you but you could call them for advice. ( http://www.jaspertx.org/page/animal_shelter )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
The vet nor humane society or police department will help.. This stray is now a permanent resident at my house. Can't catch nor lead her. Can't get medican nor have her fixed. Is there a organization that can help me help get this done. Caging her i
I am not sure where you live but you could search for some animal rescues in your area and contact them. They may have a way to help trap her and get her fixed and provide medical care. Depending on her temperment, they may be able to work with her and place her in a home.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I. Have a stray mildly tame that is hurt very bad. He cant walk. He was found going through my garage to the under my house. Saginaw vet told me to trap him and get him to an er. This is a stray cat. I cant afford a vet bill at all. I have handicap
Call the local SPCA to come and get him now so he can be treated. You are right, he has to see a vet now. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
A stray dog near my house is not eating anything, he has become very weak and thin and not allowing me to touch him. What should I do now? I tried feeding him boiled eggs but he refused to eat, should I try feeding him meat?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. Unfortunately, the dog you see may have a systemic illness or infection. You can try feeding him ground beef or pork and see if he will eat more or offer canned dog food. Chicken broth added to the food may entice him more as well. If he is suffering from a disease, unfortunately he may not want to eat because he is so sick. If you are able to report him to an animal rescue, they may be able to catch him and take care of him but I know there are a lot of strays around and you may not be able to find a rescue that would take him in. I hope this helps get him to eat more! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Someone dropped a dog off and he chose my house but he is sick and I can't afford to get him fixed.what can I do? I live out in the country and there's no animal control.Help!!!
Search for animal rescues near you. You can just google or try adoptapet.com Some veterinary offices may know of rescues or may be able to offer humane euthanasia if he is sick. Keep looking for resources locally. Thanks for trying to help this guy
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I just found a stray dog outside my building who is constantly shivering. When i approached him with some food , he resisted. I noticed that the the legs ( back) of the dog is unresponsive. I wanted to ask is this because of dehydration or is it rabi
This poor dog could be shivering because of pain or being cold. If you are concerned about rabies, do not approach him, but you would see aggression from the dog as well as foaming at the mouth if he had it. I would called your local animal rescue to come and get him right away. He likely needs veterinary treatment, which they can provide. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Sudden change in behaviour. I am feeding a stray dog for a week. Everything was normal- I was feeding him and he kept his distance. But yesterday I gave him some boiled eggs and since then, whenever I meet him he comes very close near my legs and toe
He's coming closer because he trusts you and wants to show you affection for feeding him. You are showing him love and attention by feeding him, and he wants to give you the same in return. It's lovely that you are feeding him, but if you don't want to keep him, I suggest giving the RSPCA a call to come and get him. They can get him veterinary treatment to make sure he is healthy and find him a home.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog Supplies Cat Food Dog Health & Wellness Wet Dog Food Dry Dog Food Premium Dog Food Veterinary Diet Dog Food Dog First Aid & Recovery Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Pets First Empawer Pets Veterinary Diets Dog Food DOG by Dr Lisa Dog First Aid & Recovery Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dog Health & Wellness Skout's Honor Dog First Aid & Recovery Veterinary Diet Dog Food Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dog Supplies HEALERS Dog First Aid & Recovery PetAlive Dog First Aid & Recovery
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored