My dog eats his and other dogs poop!!?

Question

When i take my dog for walks i notice that lately he has been eating poop. I pull him away from it as soon as i notice what he's doing but I'm concerned is it a health risk? Can he catch something by eating another dogs poop? Is this normal? He has plenty of dog food and water and dog toys to chew on what is wrong w/ him??

Answer 1

Abhorrent to us or not, this behavior is normal and allows food absorption to be maximized which would have a survival value in times of hardship in the wild. We have to bear in mind that for some species, such as rabbits, eating the faeces is the norm and necessary secondary stage of the way food is processed. In dogs and some other mammals the behavior is also seen as a manifestation of the maternal instinct for nest cleaning and licking immobile puppies to cause defecation and urination, the consequences of which are consumed.

Even though you may feed your dog the best of pet supplies/meats, it has become the subject of several factors why dogs eat their own faeces.
These include: dietary deficiency; a learnt behavior developed during a period of boredom e.g. during prolonged kenneling in puppy hood; a significantly high incidence has been found in puppies that have had to fend for themselves, (strays for example). Sometimes the faeces seem to have food value because of the richness of the depositors diet and/or the fact that not all nutrients have been drawn out during digestion. Perhaps combinations of these are possibilities in different cases.

Try changing your dogs diet to dried food such as Eukanuba instead of meaty tinned foods. I have found through studies of my own that doing this makes the dogs faeces less appealing. Its worth a go.

Let us know how it goes...

Starryeyes: I am shocked that you give such advice as to 'smacking' a pet when it does something wrong. Animals eating their own dirt is actually normal behaviour. It may not be pleasant for us to see but never smack your pet! There are ways to overcome pet problems ..lifting your hand to it is not the answer!! I am appauled.

Linda

Answer 2

It is very easy for dog to get worms by doing this. My dog did this when she was a puppy. One time she even brought it into the house and would not let it go. Take him out on a leash and every time you see him going for the poop, give the leash a quick tug and say in a stern voice no. If you have a puppy maybe your dog will grow out of it too. Also,it is better to remove the temptation by cleaning the feces right away. I dont know if this actually works but I've heard that putting a little garlic powder in the dogs food will make him want it less.

Answer 3

Coprophagia is when they eat poo. Gross, yes.

Generally it won't hurt them, but if it eats too much and will vomit, most likely on your carpet, and trust me, you don't want to go there.

It's not uncommon. But you should discourage it. Also, if he eats his own then you can use a product called Deter or SEP. You add it to their food and it makes the poo taste bad. You can also add some meat tenderizer. Personally, I have resorted to standing in the yard cleaning it up while the dogs are out, so they don't beat me to it. You may have to do the same thing. But don't let it eat during walks.

My dogs are on the best dog foods. Some of them would never think to even go near another dogs poo, they are grossed out by it. A couple of the others think it is great stuff.
It is just a quirk that dogs have and if you are feeding good food then it it not a nutrition issue.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Some vets theorize that this could be due to some kind of a mineral deficiency. Noone really knows for sure. I once had a Pomeranian who had an anxiety disorder and would do this all the time. Some dogs do it as a result of a psychological problem or due to anxiety. Female dogs seem to be more prone to it than males. How to stop it? Some suggest putting meat tenderizer on their food. There are also other things you can get from the vet , powders or pills, to put in their food that supposedly makes them less likely to continue eating their excrement. Ask the vet for help to get him to stop it. Or do some research online and see what has helped other people.

Answer 5

If the other do has a disease then yes, or more than likely. Sometimes a dog eats his or other dogs poop because of poor nutrition. Not that you don't feed your dog, just that the food doesn't have the correct amount of nutrients. Or the other dog didn't digest all of the nutrients in his food and the other dogs food smells good.

Answer 6

It could be craving something it isn't getting from it's food. If you are using a grocery store food try getting a mid or higher end quality food at a feed or pet store. I really like Nutro, Science Diet and Eukanuba brands. Grocery store pet food like feeding your dog MacDonalds every day.

I had a dog that used to eat my other dogs poop. She was on a strict special diet for health issues and wanted thier food, didn't care that it was used. My vet had me put monsodium glutamate on my other pets food and that did work...but if your dog is eating random poops that isn't going to work for you. You might want to also ask your vet.
Best wishes!

Answer 7

You are right about pulling him away from it. He can catch something from just smelling it, never mind eating it. I've had dogs do that too but I'm told it's normal. It's very disgusting but harmless if it's their own or an companion dog. Don't know why. yuk!

Answer 8

It's instinctive. If a dog, wolf, coyote,etc makes a kill in the wild they eat everything including feces in the digestive track. Same reason they will eat grass and vegitation. I've heard it stated that it tastes just fine to them. You can try and teach them to leave it while on leash.

Answer 9

he can catch stuff from that but only if the other dog has somehting, if im not mistakin that mean he isnt getting enough calcium or protien... protien or calcium pills and some of the more expensive dog foods are all around better for the dog, natural choice is what i feed my dogs. they love it, it is a great food.

Answer 10

Unless you are feeding him IAMS dog food allready, change to it. There is something he is craving.