I can't get my dog to stop eating dog feces. How can I get her to stop?

Question

I'm afraid to take her to a public park for fear she will pick up some disease.

Answer 1

This can be a common thing in some dogs. The official name is Corpography. (core-pog-ra-fee). Try sprinkling a small amount of meat tenderizer directly to your dog'd food. This sometimes will alter the scent or taste of the stool so it is less appealing.

Answer 2

It is 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

This is actually very common. One of my dogs came from the pound, was a street dog, and she'd eat my other dogs' feces. Within a few months she stopped eating feces and now is the pickiest eater of the bunch!

I just waited it out, but one book I have recommended splashing the feces with Tabasco or hot sauce to make it unpleasant for the dog to eat. It won't hurt the dog--just make sure there's water nearby.

As for the park, if your dog is on a heartworm preventative, it should also work to prevent other types of worms too. I'd take your dog to the park, keep an eye on her, and ensure she has a worm preventative in case she eats contaminated stools.

Answer 4

You can try the Deter that stops them from eating their own feces; I know for one of my dogs that did this even though the deter only works on their actual feces so they won't touch it; I found with mine that after trying to eat her feces several time that had Deter in it; that she now stays away from ALL dogs feces.

You can get Deter at any pet store or online.

Answer 5

Other than trying to catch her in the act and discouraging it, there's a product you can buy from your vet. I don't remember the name, but you can sprinkle it on her food and it actually makes the feces taste worse than it already does (if you can imagine that :) )

Answer 6

Make sure she is eating enough and on a schedule. If she knows there will always be food in her bowl at certain times each day, she will be less inclined to pick up a "snack".

Answer 7

Dogs eating their own faeces is a symptom of pancreatitis. Phone your vet to arrange an appointment to get to the bottom of this problem.

Answer 8

Your dog is lacking something in its food and is trying to get more vitamins out of its feces.
Change your dog's food to another brand.

Answer 9

pet stores have a spray to make it taste bad (as funny as that sounds, it really works). bring it with you and spray it if she tries anything. After a few times of her tasting that, she won't try it anymore because she will know how bad it will taste.

Answer 10

add a little pineapple juice to her water bowl. she'll stop one it gets into her system