my dog eats his poop is that good for him?

Question

my dog eats his own poop and my cats poop is that good for him i know it sounds nasty but i heard its nutrious for him but I dont know if thats true or not can u plz help me?

Answer 1

If we can eat out poop and be ok, I think he could eat his poop. Lol.

Answer 2

Some dogs can't resist a tasty morsel of feces. These dogs will eat their own excrement or
that of another dog. Some prefer horse feces, others cat feces. Frozen feces are popular in
the winter time. Why do dogs do this?

In the past it was believed that feces eating, also known as coprophagia, was caused by
either poor diet or poor health. However, this theory is not supported by current research.
"Behavioral research has discounted the idea that it is a dietary deficiency or a pancreatic
enzyme deficiency," says Dr. Jo Ann Eurell, a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist at
the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dogs are historically scavengers,
and this is believed to be a scavenger behavior.

"It is important for dog owners to know that this behavior is normal for a mother dog with
pups," adds Dr. Eurell. Newborn pups must learn to urinate and defecate. The mother
teaches the pups by licking their bottoms. The pups respond to this "tickle" by urinating and
defecating. The mother then consumes the pups' excrement, which serves two protective
purposes: it keeps the den area clean and it removes smells that could attract a predator.
Some pups learn this behavior from their mothers and will stimulate themselves and
consume their own feces. Most pups stop by the time they are weaned.

It is more difficult to understand why adult dogs eat feces. Some dogs will learn this
behavior from other dogs. In some cases, eating feces may be an attention-seeking
behavior. For some dogs it is possibly due to anxiety or boredom. Most often the
motivation for eating feces is just not known.

Owners find this habit in their pet disgusting -- particularly when the consumed feces are
thrown up all over the new carpet. In addition to being socially unacceptable, eating feces
exposes the dog to parasites and diseases. So, what is a dog owner to do?

"Eating feces is a problem that is easier to prevent than to cure," says Dr. Eurell. "Don't
allow the opportunity to arise. Keep the dog's yard clean by disposing of feces promptly.
Move the cat box out of the dog's reach. If cleaning the outdoor area is not feasible, then
keep the dog on a leash or use a muzzle when outside."

There are some "cures" that have been used with limited success. Punishment generally only
works in the early stages, before the behavior becomes habitual. Feeding the dog MSG,
garlic, or pumpkin is believed to give feces a bad taste, making it less attractive to the dog.
Other products can be applied to the feces directly; however, dogs are very perceptive and
can probably distinguish between tainted and untainted feces.

The best solution is to supervise the dog and not let it develop the habit. If you would like
further information about this behavior, contact your local veterinarian.

Answer 3

Just as Alex stated above most the time a dog is eating feces is because they are lacking the proper vitamins in their diet. There are several dog foods with extra vitamins and you can also buy some pretty good pet vitamins at your local pet store. I would not suggest puting hot sauce on the dogs feces to deter him as this can cause some internal problems and quite a mess for you. But I do remember hearing about a garlic powder that can be added to their food to stop this hablt also. A larger pet store in your area may have this item available Good Luck!!!!!

Answer 4

No, its not good for him. It means that he's lacking something in his diet. You might try a better dog food for him, like Iams or Science Diet. Dogs eat cat poop because the cat food tastes good coming out the other end. Most dogs will eat it if given the chance. Try putting up your cat box in a place the dog can't reach, or putting a baby gate between the box and your dog ( the cat can just jump over it).

Answer 5

Alot of dogs will eat any type of poop, cats, rabbits,ect.. This means the dog is lacking something in their diet. I thought I'd never break my Jack Russel from eating out of the liter box, plus I 'd whip him with a rolled up newpaper. And would say SHEWWWW THATS NASTY. I started to change his diet and he never ate poop around me again.( a can of moist dog food mixed with the Kibble and Bits) did the trick for us.

Answer 6

My Dog did the same thing when she was younger. My wife put hot sauce on some of the fresh piles, and after she got a taste of these spiced up piles, she never ate poop again.

Answer 7

If he is eating his own poop, probably gross rather than hurtful. However, if he is eating another dog/animal's poop there is always a chance to pick up a parasite. Then you would have to usually de-worm your dog. Check with your vet, but our Shih-tzu used to eat her's when we left her home for awhile. He gave us a powder to ration out in her food, it is supposed to detract them from eating it.
*I did hear "Garlic Powder" in the fodd will do the same but they stink....

Answer 8

Put meat tenderizer mixed in his food and the cats food. When digested and expelled it gives off a nasty odor (unbeknownst to humans). This usually deters the pet from eating feces.

Answer 9

I doubt that it's "nutritious" -- but it won't hurt the dog. It's more common in puppies than in grown dogs and -- according to my vet -- is caused by boredom. The vet recommended toys and other forms of entertainment in order to alleviate the problem. The first time I ever talked to my vet about it, I was actually embarassed to tell him about it because I figured I had a pervert dog -- but turns out it's not at all uncommon. It won't hurt them -- they usually outgrow it -- and it helps to be sure they have toys and other diversions. (Man ... it's hard to believe you could ever be that bored, right?)

Answer 10

it is not nutritious but if your pup was only eating his/her own no harm no foul, but also ur cats means u should probably get ur pup checked for worms, if the cat's poop has worm eggs in it then ur pup can get worms talk to ur vet and ask about forbid its this stuff u put on ur pup's food to make his poop taste bad to him(thought is already would've huh) it usually works in just a few days

Answer 11

They make several things to help stop this behavior. Most petstores carry pills called Deter or Forbid. You put it in their food and I guess it makes the poo taste bad. (apparently it tastes good now??) You have to do it for several weeks until they get the idea. I
I don't know if it's necessarily bad for them, but it messes up my dogs stomach and heaven forbid they breathe on you!