My dog for some reason eats her own poop. Is there a reason for this?

Question

She gets fed regularly, she just started doing this about a year ago, she's 12 now.

Answer 1

It might be curable. Here's one link and you can find others using key words "dog eats feces"

Answer 2

Poop Eating Pets - Coprophagia Links
The subject lines say it all "Help! Turd Eating Dog!" cries one; "Another faeces problem" laments another; "Stop my dog from eating sh*t!" shouts still another. Some describe it more delicately than others, but it is a common problem and one people find to be very distressing.

Dogs like to eat poop. That's really all there is to it. People find it disgusting, dogs find it delightful. Still most people want it to stop. With that in mind I put together a short page full of links to other people's ideas about the causes of poop eating (more elegantly called "Coprophagia") and ideas on how to stop it. I didn't really use much editorial discretion on the subject because I haven't really studied it enough to have a strong opinion. Thus different sites disagree. Oh well.

Here are some links on the subject of eating feces:

Coprophagia
http://www.erinet.com/ghost/coprophagia.htm
Behavior - Coprophagia - feces eating behavior
http://www.vetinfo.com/deatpoop.html
A Dog and Cat Behavior and Training Center by Perfect Paws
http://www.perfectpaws.com/copro.html
Coprophagia in the Canine
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/pets/_archive/study.htm
Dr. P's Dog Training Library - Behav. Probs.
http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-prob.htm#copr
Coprophagia or Eating Feces
http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/decoprophagia.html
Coprophagia (Stool Eating)
http://www.thevet.com/vetbhv22.htm
Keeping the K9 out of the Kitty Box
http://www.dog-play.com/kittybox.html

Answer 3

Part of his in built instinct of "not pooping in his own nest" , also the other plonker is partly right , if its still food lets eat it which to us is disgusting but ......... we are not dogs. I would discourage this and also be very careful to worm your dog. Also be sure he doesnt eat any others poop as this is extremely dangerous for spreading disease to your pet. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Yes, It's very Gross but there is a reason ... They get nutrients in their poop that they are lacking in their dog food. My vet told this to me. We had to switch dog foods. We ended up getting a food with more vitamins and iron.

Answer 5

It must taste good. Just kidding. He may have some digestion issues. This usually means that he has not fully digested his food so they will eat it to get what is left out of it. Feed him a little less and better quality food.

Answer 6

Sometimes they do this because there is something missing in their diet. Some kind of mineral or vitamin. Take her to the vet and get them to check her for some kind of deficiency.

Answer 7

yes actually there is. it smells good to them they were talkin about it on blue collar comedy tour:rides again. if you dont like your dog doing this go the vet they have stuff to sprinkle on its food that will make the poop taste bad to them.

Answer 8

Alot of dogs do. It is a natural thing so that they don't leave anything behind for pretators to know they were there. You can buy special pills to give them that will make it taste bad. Check at petstores. many dogs also grow out of it,.

Answer 9

Sprinkle meat tenderizer on her food. They don't mind the taste when they eat, but apparently not so good at the other end.

Answer 10

We had a dog in the neighborhood growing up who did that. Don't want him licking your face after that maneuver!! Truly sickening to watch!