My puppy is always eating guniea pig and rabbit droppings, and when he is on his walk he will try and eat other dog waste (which responsible owners would clean up)
2006-12-01 08:25:21 · 25 answers · asked by unsure 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
In the past it was believed that faeces 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 defaecate. The mother teaches the pups by licking their bottoms. The pups respond to this "tickle" by urinating and defaecating.
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 faeces. Most pups stop by the time they are weaned.
It is more difficult to understand why adult dogs eat faeces. Some dogs will learn this behavior from other dogs. In some cases, eating faeces may be an attention-seeking behavior. For some dogs it is possibly due to anxiety or boredom. Most often the motivation for eating faeces is just not known.
2006-12-01 08:32:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine did the same thing (still probably would if we can gave him the chance). We asked the vet and he said we are the only species that doesn't have that terrible habit. We tried the pills, the powder, pumpkin puree, but the only thing that worked was crushed pineapple with his food. Now, of course that is only for the dog if they are eating their own or another dog in the family. Don't know about rabbits or other animal droppings. Good luck, I know it is disgusting but hang in there, he may outgrow it!
2006-12-01 18:24:38 · answer #2 · answered by TriBarb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea, my staffie puppy used to do this, we asked the vet and she said it was because we were feeding him canned food and that made the shite smell appealing for dogs because it smelt like the food. She sugested we change to dry food and we did and it worked! He never ate **** again. Of course this wont deter him from eating other anomals shite but at least he wont eat hes own and just try to be more on the look out and when your dog does eat the **** give him a tap on the nose, they hate this and will learn that eating shite = pain on nose.
hope this helps.
Good luck!
2006-12-01 16:41:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only time I've had this question answered sufficiently for me was when I used to work in the countryside and the dog kept eating calf (as in baby cow) poo and I was told by a local farmer that this was because they drank milk all day from their mothers which made the poo nice and milky. Still foul in my eyes and more reason not to let them lick your face.
2006-12-02 07:54:37 · answer #4 · answered by Sarey Gamp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consumption of feces is a common but disturbing habit in dogs. while the cause of the behavior is unknown, a product called DETER has been formulated to help stop this vice.
Deter can be found in most good pet stores including pets at home
Deter is a Coprophagia treatment, ask your vet if it concerns you or before you start this treatment.
Good Luck xx
2006-12-01 16:42:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many puppies and even adult dogs will eat it rabbit ones taste nice to them as does horse manure. Some dogs eat it due to lack of something in there diet so make sure you are feeding him a good quality one. Others eat it due to behavioural reasons. Every dog will eat cat poop as they are full of fat as cats don't digest fat easily so they will be extra appealing!!
2006-12-02 09:05:41 · answer #6 · answered by barkinmadz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry its normal (for a dog1!!) mine both eat horse crap and love the cat crap (we have 18 cats), I must admit they've never ate rodent poo but thats becasue they can't get to the cages we have! In the wild dogs will devour a whole carcas innards and all, so the pooh thing is quite normal. Just make sure you regularly worn your dog and it will be ok, its disgusting behaviour to us humans but not for canines...
2006-12-01 16:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by angelwitch1967 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs explore thier world by eating things. Just like babys try to eat everything they touch
2006-12-01 16:43:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a normal function of all nearly all animals, wild or domestic...He can't see anything wrong with it..after all, his mom did it to keep the nest clean, and those snacks are tasty!
When walking, don't allow him to get his head down..keep the leash shorter, so you have control over where he puts his head..
If you have a medium to large breed, the Canny collar will work wonders for having complete control..> http://www.cannyco.com/
Watch the videos.. I got one from eBay, and it arrived to the US West coast, from the UK in just 6 days!
2006-12-01 16:33:52 · answer #9 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's a puppy! My lab will eat anything - His favorite snack is droppings in the cat's litter-box!
2006-12-01 16:29:00 · answer #10 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋