My dog eats his own feces......?

Question

he is 4 and has been doing it since he was a puppy and i figured that he would stop but he hasnt. Are there any cheap products that will make him stop?

Answer 1

He is not doing anything that he believes is wrong. He was taught this by his mother, when the mom kept the nest clean. When mom became too overwhelmed to keep clean after all the litter, the pups were good little helpers and did it themselves....They didn't have gloves and bags, so just did it the way they could. He is just being fastidious. Please DON'T rub his nose in it. That will only confuse him. He will not get the point, and you will have a messy and traumatized dog.

Dog's ancesters have done this for eons, to keep their area clean and to not let predators know where they live. It is as natural for them as hand washing is for people.

Older dogs do this, as a reaction to stress..as it is an infant thing..kinda like children reverting to thumb sucking..

The only solution is to consistantly beat him to it. Hopefully he will learn that you can be trused to clean it up so he doesn't have to.... Meanwhille, there is an additive available at all pet supplies that will make the stuff very bitter.(Forbid) This may help some. Or pineapple chucks in his dog food, does the same thing..
Note: the ones that do this are usually the easiest to house train, as they are good house keepers

Answer 2

He has a vitamin or mineral deficiency and is trying to supplement by eating his feces. Hey--dogs aren't cognitive thinkers, but they now when there's a problem and intuitively look for a solution. Stop feeding him cheap dog food and fork over the cash for some quality chow like NutraMax or Iams.

Answer 3

I swear I saw something for this at one of the larger pet stores the other day! I love animals and go in and look around a lot. I've been in PetCo and PetSmart recently, so try those! It was an additive you put in their food to stop them wanting to eat their feces! This is quite common in dogs. Here's an article on preventing this:

Answer 4

Well I have been a dog owner for over 30 years, I have yet to have a dog that doesn't eat there feces from time to time. Don't have a clue as to why. I have even ask my vet about this and she shared, she didn't know either. But that all dogs do it from time to time. I know this is not much help, but now you know, your dog is just doing what comes natural.

Answer 5

Dogs and cats learn this behavior from their mothers. When they are pups/kittens, their mother cleaned their butts and hence, ate their feces. I know, ewwwwwww.

One solution would be to buy a food additive - such as "Deter" or "Forbid" - or dry kibble that makes feces unappetizing to dogs, and add it to your dog's food if he's into eating his own. These products contain a chemical, monosodium glutamate, that is made bitter tasting during the digestive process.

Answer 6

We found all sorts of info on this when our dog was doing that recently. There is something your vet can give you to put in the food that makes the feces taste awful. (like it doesn't already!!)

Answer 7

Many puppies will eat their own stool. To stop this habit sprinkle Adolph's Meat Tenderizer on the stool. This should end the problem.

Answer 8

Deter will take care of this. You may want to give the dog a Multi- Vitamine because eating its own poop means that there is a vitamine defeciency in the pups diet.

Answer 9

A muzzle. Even cheap dog food has to taste better than crap. Is it a Shitzo ?

Answer 10

No products I've heard of, but you could train him and get a stick or something to tap his nose with when he does it. Praise him for not doing it though. Good luck!