Why do dogs eats their poop

This is yet another reason to promote regular poo picking and responsible dog ownership , both at home and out walking.

Poodles, on the other hand, appeared to defy their name and shun the practice. Yet none of this explains why certain dogs will eat poo if they can. It might simply be that some dogs like it and have learned, either by accident or with intent, to consume faeces. Perhaps dogs do it if their owners or other dogs they come into contact with show a particular interest in faeces. But the study authors suggest that coprophagy is something much more basic. And dogs today may indulge in exactly the same behaviour.

So what should you do if the prospect of your pet eating poo fills you with horror? Aside from owning a single, non-greedy poodle, the best thing to do is simply to prevent your dog having access to poo, especially the fresh stuff. Other puppies may interpret the yelling as an excited invitation to play. As a result, they dart away, and then suddenly, an impromptu game of chase occurs.

Your dog may not even necessarily want to play but might simply want you to engage with them. This is then carried over as your dog becomes an adult as a learned behavior that gets them attention. Coprophagia can be associated with diseases of the intestinal tract and sometimes other parts of the body liver, brain, etc. If your adult dog has never been a poop eater and suddenly develops the habit in association with symptoms of disease, like weight loss, lethargy, discomfort, other behavioral changes, vomiting, or diarrhea, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Your veterinarian will need to perform diagnostic tests to determine if your dog has an underlying medical problem, such intestinal parasites , nutritional deficiencies, or gastrointestinal disease. Other dogs eat poop as a displacement behavior when they are anxious. If an anxious dog is confined, they may defecate and eat their own poop. You being away from them separation anxiety. Some dogs may learn as puppies to eat their poop if they have been repeatedly punished by their owners for defecating in the house.

If your puppy or dog is eating poop, the best way to help them is to put systems in place that prevent them from practicing the habit. For dogs that eat cat poop, make sure you put up a pet gate or door that allows the cat access to their litter box while keeping the dog out of that room. You can also place the litter box on a table that is longer than the box to allow a spot for them to jump up onto. Keep in mind, dogs usually repeatedly eat things that taste good to them.

Poop may just appeal to their taste buds. There are dog chew products that are made to discourage dogs from eating poop that may change the taste of the poop.

For puppies that like to eat poop , you will need to control their access to poop. When you are housetraining your puppy, take them out on a consistent schedule. What Is Alopecia In Dogs? Join nearly , subscribers who love Dogs Naturally to unlock special discounts and premium content. Ready to make your own dog food?

Shop Now. Julie Unger November 5, Share on facebook Facebook. Share on pinterest Pinterest. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on linkedin LinkedIn. Share on email Email. Share on print Print. Post At A Glance. Reasons Dogs Eat Poop There are two main causes of dogs eating poop … either medical reasons or behavioral reasons. Fun Dogs explore with their sense of smell, and to them, fresh stool smells great.

Attention If you react to your dog eating poop, he might eat more to get your attention. References Benjamin L Hart et al. Start Now. Julie Unger. No dog will go un-pet, un-brushed or un-cuddled under Julie's watch. Julie's grad school roommate came with a very special four-legged bonus roommate, Ananda, who helped prepare Julie for the day when her sister brought home a rescue dog.

Now the aunt to Daisy, Julie is always striving to improve Daisy's life and that of other dogs. Related Posts. Popular Posts. Learn More. DNM Partners.