My dog eats her own feces sometimes, Why would she do this and is it uncommon?

Answer 1

Dogs are God's way of cleaning the earth (natural garbage disposals), because they are scavengers, along with most wild animals. They have nasty tendencies, as you describe. I started feeding my dog either Science Diet or Iams, and fed him PRIOR to allowing him to go outside. He stopped eating the feces because he was already full, AND he was getting all his nutrients.

Answer 2

It is not uncommon for this to happen.
dogs just love to eat the disgusting stuff and it isn't because they are lacking anything in their diet.

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

It is perfectly natural and common.

FYI if you try to scold your dog after she has already done it, she will have no idea what you're talking about or what the problem is. If you catch her in the act, the best deterrent is a loud noise like an air horn or shake a can full of pennies to startle her (must be caught in the act).

The best way to stop this behaviour is remove the feces before she can eat it. Poop scoop your yard shortly after she has done her business and there won't be any issue.

Answer 4

This is common. Some think that it is because there is something missing in the diet. Some think that she is just cleaning up after herself. There is a product at the pet stores that you put in the feed. It makes the feces taste really bad so that she will stop this behavior.

Answer 5

Animals are attracted to the undigested food in their own feces and the feces of other animals. Try changing her diet to a better brand of dog food, such as Dog Chow by Purina. Buy the type food relative to her acticvity, such as Puppy, Older dog,active or inactive.

Answer 6

Most of the time, dogs just eat poo because they like the way that it tastes. Sometimes, it is because of a vitamin deficiency (this is rare). My dogs used to do this too, but I eventually broke them of that foul habit by correcting them every time that they did it.

Answer 7

Sprinkle some plain meat tenderizer on her food. It makes the poo taste bad, and it is not harmful. Also, discourage the poo eating. I have that problem too with one of my dogs. It helps, but he still tries to do it once in a while.

Answer 8

My dog used to do that, but I bought pills at Petsmart that stopped it.

Answer 9

Doggie is just doing his part to recycle

Answer 10

It's common and it is because is basically undigested food.