Why Dogs Eat Their Poo & How to Get Them to Stop
The official term for poo eating is “coprophagia” and most dog owners don’t realize that it’s quite natural for dogs to do this. It may be their way of cleaning up after themselves after watching us do it. Wild dogs and wolves have also been seen eating their poo and animal behaviorists think they do this as a safety precaution to keep predators away. And for certain conditions, eating poo may also be the animal’s way of restoring their health.
WHY DOES MY DOG DO THIS?
Domestic dogs may eat their poo for one or more of the following reasons:
· Stress Relief
If your dog accidentally poops in the house, it would be fairly normal for you to get upset. But this will not curb the behavior, and in fact may make the problem worse!
A sensitive dog will quickly learn that having an accident in the wrong place will make their owner angrily shout at them, which can make them secretive. Next time they may poop behind the sofa, so that it won’t be found. If it is and you get mad at them again, your dog may decide that eating it may be their best option!
Dogs who eat their poo outside may do it because they’ve been yelled at for pooping inside. They may get the idea that pooping is unsafe and therefore continue eating their poo outside.
Housebreaking a dog takes time and patience, especially if it is a puppy. But the same holds true for a new rescue or an elderly dog who may no longer have good bladder or bowel control. It is important that you regularly take your pet outside to pee and poop and then praise them each time for “doing their business.” If you are having difficulty housebreaking your dog, please reach out to me. I am animal behaviorist serving Marin County and North Bay. I can help with many natural methods.
· Wrong Diet
Certain poor quality dog foods may contain ingredients that cannot be digested and end up being eliminated in feces, which makes their poo more appealing.
It is very important that you feed your dog an appropriate diet of high-quality foods. You may want to consult with a qualified animal healer if you discover that your dog is eating their poo. And then speak with a good nutritional advisor who can recommend the best dog foods for your breed.
· Poor Health
Certain illnesses and microbiome imbalances in the gut can cause dogs to eat their poo. If the dog is not getting the nutrients he/she needs from their food, he/she may try to find it in fecal matter.
There are certain medications, like steroids, that can make dogs feel hungry, and this makes poo more appealing. There are also some health issues, like diabetes, thyroid conditions, and worms that lead dogs to eat poo. If your dog is older, he/she may be suffering from dementia or other conditions that increase their likelihood of eating poo.
If your dog is displaying bowel issues, excessive vomiting, or seems sick you should get him/her to your vet to make sure there are no health issues.
· Attention Seeking Behavior
If a dog feels they are not getting enough attention from their owners, they may resort to eating poo just to get a reaction and a chance to interact with them. If this occurs, the behavior will likely continue.
If you suspect that the reason your dog is eating poo is to gain your attention, then it’s time that they learned another more appropriate behavior. You can help teach him/her by interacting differently with them and this is when you may want to contact a qualified animal behaviorist.
Scientific research has shown that poo over two days old does not appeal to most dogs. This is why it’s important to keep your yard clear and to immediately pick up your dog’s poo when on a walk. Coprophagia is most often a puppy problem that they usually grow out of. But if the problem persists the dog must be retrained or this could end up being a lifelong problem!
· Hunger
If a dog is really hungry, they may resort to eating poo. Make sure your dog is getting enough to eat and that what you’re feeding them keeps them full. Just because the label on the food package touts all the nutritional benefits and provides a portion guide, you can’t assume that your dog is getting the amount of nutrition they need to maintain their health and body weight. You may want to consult with a qualified animal healer to help curb your dog’s propensity for eating poo and to determine which foods he/should be eating, how often, and and in what quantities.
HAZARDS OF EATING POO
Aside from being an issue you don’t feel like discussing with your friends, your dog’s habit of eating poop can be dangerous.
It can be dangerous for us if our dog gives us kisses by licking our face and mouth. Not only our dog, but we too can get bacteria, parasites, and viruses from fecal matter. So, until the family dog gets over their propensity for eating poop, it’s important that we keep them from licking us and especially our children.
HOW CAN THE PROBLEM BE SOLVED?
1. Refrain from punishing your dog when this happens because he/she may be helpless to stop it. Instead, find a good animal behaviorist to help train your dog to stop this behavior.
2. Take your dog to the Vet for a complete health check to determine whether there may be some medical reason for such behavior.
3. Keep your dog on a leash while training them to behave differently. Watch closely for any sign that he/she may be THINKING of doing this and then immediately pull them away while saying “leave it.”
4. Immediately clean up after your dog each time he/she poops in the yard or on a walk.
5. If there’s a lot of poop on the ground where you regularly walk your dog, choose another route, especially when you’re still training him/her to leave it.
6. Make sure you’re feeding your dog high-quality food, and perhaps consult with an animal healer for advice before changing his/her diet.
7. Keep in mind that a happy healthy dog has plenty of toys and activities to keep him/her mentally stimulated.