I know this is nasty, but my dog eats his own fices....what should I do to make it stop??

Question

I have had 3 dogs, my dog now is a 1 1/2 year old pit bull crossed with something. I am not to sure because I adopted him from an animal shelter. I have never had this problem before and I don't know if there is anything I can do.

Answer 1

Mine does it too. We yell at him when we see it happening but there's not much you can do about it. Just remember, don't let him give you kisses, and on a better note, you don't have to clean up as much poo anymore.

Answer 2

Take your dog to the vet so that he can get a check up. Your dog might be low on minerals, protein, etc. and that's why it's doing that. Dogs can also have pica cravings like humans do, and just eat anything abnormal. Plus, you need to make sure that your dog doesn't have any parasites for eating its own feces, because then the problem could get worse. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Answer 3

Coprophagia (the medical term) can some sometimes be a sign of a nutritional defiency (not necessarily because of what you feed, could be your dog has some type of inability to properly digest or absorb certain materials) and you should have him checked by your vet. They can also give you a powder to put on the food that will deter him from doing so.

Answer 4

It is a young dog, so probly is a thing it will grow out of. Take him to the vet and take special note of his kidney. Also, dogs do this because they can't absorb all the vitamins and minerals 1st time around. If you see him in the act, spray him in the face with a water pistol.

Hope I have helped!

Answer 5

I had a female Shihtzu that did that, she mostly did it in the winter when it was frozen. I did ask my vet, he said something about giving her alittle pumpkin pie filling in her food, something about the smell or taste when it comes out. He told me nothing you can really do about it, she would sneak in the litter box and clean that out too! It's a dog thing, unless you clean up after them constantly or stay outside with them to tell them no-they will keep doing it!

Answer 6

The condition is called coprophagia. Now you can scour the web. My vet tech said to give the dog about one inch of BLACK licorice twice a day - I guess they don't like the taste. It didn't work for us because I have too many dogs and too many trespassing cats.
-MM

Answer 7

You can buy Bitter apple from a pet supply store or you can put Tabasco sauce on it. I guarantee he wont eat it again. It may take 2-3 time max That hot pepper sauce will remind him not to do it. Hot sauce is to weak It has to be Tabasco.

Answer 8

Tell the dog "no" in your command voice and gently pull his/her leash once. You have to do both of those every time the dog goes toward its poop. After a week or so, just a stern "no" should work.

Answer 9

I assume said feces is in the yard or dog run, yes?

obviously - you need to do a better job of cleaning up more promptly - - BUT in the meantime, try sprinkling the turds with cayenne pepper!!

Answer 10

It isn't unusual, normally females though I thought. My german sheppard used to do it (deceased) and also eat it's own vomit. Something to do with minerals they need which are high in both etc.
The first time I knew she ate vomit was horrible, never saw her eat it but saw her throw up; I went to get something to clear it up and came back to see her looking at me, ears pinned back in the "I've been naughty" position, licking her lips. No vomit to be seen anywhere!