why does my 15month old dog keep eating cat poo out of the cat litter tray whenever she gets the chance.?

Answer 1

Hi there...here's a well written and long answer given by another Yahoo Answer's member which best explains coprophagia (the act of dogs eating faeces): http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap52l6lVrE8HNyMvmV9Px1EjzKIX?qid=20060606035714AAYmBOi

Coprophagia is defined as the consumption of faeces by an animal and is a common complaint of owners to their veterinarians. Since there has been little research done on this particular behaviour, the veterinarian is usually poorly equipped to give a recommendation to the owner. This study is intended to provide epidemiological information about the incidence of the behaviour in the canine population, the age of onset, age of disappearance, and various other pieces of information crucial to form a basis from which to study this very important behaviour.

Proposed Causes
Coprophagia may result due to various medical problems. Primary among them are exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis, intestinal infections, malabsorptive syndromes, and over-feeding (especially high fat content diets). However, with the majority of these conditions, many other signs beside the Coprophagia will be prominent, particularly diarrhoea. Coprophagia is usually only a small aspect of these medical conditions.

Treatment Options
These treatments are all the opinions of the authors of this study. We make no claims about the efficacy of these treatments, nor do we endorse using any specific products herein. This is provided merely to inform interested individuals of what has been used in the past, and the authors' opinions of these treatments. Our study will provide more objective data regarding the efficacy of some of these treatments.

....please consider visiting the weblink provided for full details about treatment recommendations.

Answer 2

It could well be due to the fact that as a puppy, it's mother did the same thing.

Bitches eat the dirt of their young pups while they are very small and still suckling, and it is natural for a dog to do this.

Now your dog is seeing the mess and considering it to be that of a puppy. It is the sort of thing she would do to protect her pups.

Harking back, 'to the dark ages', eating the faeces of their pups, for a dog would be a good way of covering one's tracks and therefore protecting one's babies from other predatory pack animals.

Of course it looks disgusting and it is quite vulgar, but there is little you can do. A dog is a dog and whilst trainable will still do these things.

You need to put the litter tray somewhere more confined where the dog cannot access it.

If your cat and dog get on well, and there is a difference in their size (as animals) then your dog may be 'protecting' your cat as if it were a surrogate mum!

Answer 3

I'm afraid I don't know, but you can get some great cat litter trays with a plastic hood and flap, like a catflap on the front, from about £12.

These are great because they keep the smell away and stop the cat kicking the litter everywhere.

Unless you have a very small dog, it won't be able to get in there.

Answer 4

I'm afraid this is normal. My dog has always eaten cat poo. No matter how hard I've tried to stop him he still does it and he's 3 years old. As soon as you can, try putting the cat litter tray outside then your dog won't be able to reach it until you let him out, then be sure to pick the tray up out of your dogs reach. Good luck!

Answer 5

Its quite common for dogs to eat cat poo, I have had cats and dogs all of my life and although our cats go outside the dogs will still find it and eat it before we have a chance to pick it up. It will be quite hard for you to stop her from doing it, you could try making a loud noise or squirting her with water every time she goes near it, and then when you see her leaving it alone praise her or give her a treat. Sometimes though she may just find the temptation too much and eat some anyway.

Answer 6

Puppies sometimes will go after any poo and it will become a habit that u will not be able to break

Keep the litter box out of reach and after each time he goes for it in a stern voice say no. And hold his nose and look him in the eyes he will look away but follow his eyes

It is best to teach them a command to stay and get him to lay down and not get up until u release him and also a drop it command and if he picks up anything tell him to drop it

I found that it was best to carry treats to reward him and than he did not mind to give up what he had and it is for his protection they can pick up anything and allot of it can hurt him

Answer 7

my dog did this, got quite embarassing when she would bring a cat poo covered in cat litter into the front room when we had visitors, vet said it was the iron and nutrients in it made her do it. yuk, thank heaven for seven seas supplements.

Answer 8

yep, really common. If it is outside I read you should sprinkle pepper on it as dogs don't like that, but that might not be much good in a litter tray..?

Answer 9

my puppy does it too.

dogs dont understand that we think its disgusting to eat poo cos they quite like the taste of it, its something you have to teach it just like when you teach your dog not to eat food on the street:)

ive been distracting my pup from it with a loud noise or something that tastes nicer rather then punishing him cos then he just gobbles it up faster cos he thinks i want it.

Answer 10

Cat food is delicious, and if you follow the "tract" of logic, so is cat feces. Come on, they wash it down with toilet bowl water.