I have five chihuahuas. Three of them are 17 week old puppies. I just purchased Purina Second Nature Dog Litter. I put it down to try it on the puppies, and they seem to be more interested in trying to eat the litter than to do their duty on the litter. If they happened to start chewing on it and they swallow it , is it harmful? What can I do to get them to use the litter, instead of eating it? I just don't want them to get sick. Any suggestions? Thanks and Happy New Year!
2006-12-31 14:07:23 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
The litter is too big and too hard for tiny chihuahua feet. Take out the litter and use shredded paper instead until you can get a new kind of litter. We raise chihuahuas and I use baby crib pads for puppy pads and my pups are broke to them by 6 weeks old. The litter will probably make them sick but shouldn't do any real harm, but take it up.
2006-12-31 14:12:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Here's the response from Purina's site. Puppies eat everything! It has other suggestions on puppy litter training also.
When something new is added to your puppies' immediate environment, he will probably exhibit an unusual interest in this item initially. This behavior, which is often referred to as investigative behavior, is perfectly normal behavior to exhibit under the circumstances. Always provide your dog with appropriate chew toys and make sure you interact with him as much as possible when you are home. While secondnature dog litter is non-toxic, if you do observe your puppy chewing on the litter, distract him by using a surprising command such as “Ahhh!” Lower your voice with this command so that your puppy senses your displeasure. As your puppy stops what he is doing, quickly redirect his behavior to an appropriate behavior such as coming to you when called. You may want to give him one of his chew toys and praise him for chewing on it. This method will replace chewing the dog litter with a more desirable behavior. After all, how will he know what is an appropriate chew toy unless you teach him!
Another housetraining aid for discouraging your dog from picking up the litter with his mouth is to introduce a taste deterrent to the litter.
2006-12-31 14:18:01 · answer #2 · answered by Rain 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
17 week old puppies = 3 months?
the pups should go outside.. allowing them to pee/poop inside on paper, pee pads, or litter will confuse them when its time for them to learn how to go outside...
if they are eating it its because they are bored and need some mental stimulation or "play time" or do they not have enough/correct teething toys
I am not familiar with the product itself BUT since its Purina - its probably not good.. any non-food thing swallowed by pups is a problem becuase it takes space in their tummies which should be used for digestion...
2006-12-31 14:16:34 · answer #3 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i am not a vet tech but i can answer this question for you.
they are mistaking it for food so make sure their food is not close to the litter tray.
generally its not harmful to your dog....
next time you catch them doing it, give them a high pitched "ah huh"..... never smack them for eating it... just pick the dog up and move it away from the litter.
eventually they will learn that eating it is wrong.
2006-12-31 14:10:44 · answer #4 · answered by He moonwalked on my <3 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You have to teach them how to use it....it's not instinct to use a litter tray.
2006-12-31 14:09:14 · answer #5 · answered by Sas 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋