why do dogs eat poop?

Question

And how can I get them to stop

Answer 1

There can be many reasons including their diet, and medical issues.

What are you feeding your dog? Make sure it is a high quality food (all natureal is best too). Your dog can tell it is not getting the nutritional needs, and it is trying to get them.. thus why it is eating poop. If you feed a higher quality food your dog is getting the nutrional needs they need, and because it doesn't have any by products in it your dog actually poops less.. and the entire cycle of eating poop should end.

Answer 2

There is no known proven reason there are only theories. It is actually called Coprophagy. The theories are 1. It is a behavior carried from puppy hood when the mother ate the feces of the pups, 2. Nutirents lacking although there is no scientific proof of this, 3.) Attention Seeking some dogs do it to get the attention of the owner. Since there are no known reasons the cure is hard. But you can sprinkle the feces with Cayenne Pepper or Bitter Apple, you can also treat the pet food with 4-BID (which you can get from the vet same as MSG and it will cause the feces to taste awful. And the only other way is constantly picking up the poop so the dog has no access to it.

Answer 3

Your dog does not have a mental defect like the other person said. At least, it's not a mental defect that is causing him to eat poo. It's often a sign of a nutrient deficieny, so check the ingredients of the food you feed and also make sure you feed enough. Sometimes though, dogs just like the taste of poo. It's gross and probably not at all good for them, but they are dogs. My lab will munch up all my cat's high-protein poo if I don't beat her to the litterbox. It's sick, but I control it the best I can by making sure that there is never any there for her to get.

Answer 4

my dog used to do that, but he grew out of it when he turned a year old. its usually due to an insufficient dietary problem. you could go to your vet so he/she can recommend a better dog food for your dog. as a quick fix, i suggest using some sort of spicy sauce on the poop, because the dog will take a sniff and possibly a taste, and never want to again. also, if you catch him in the act, be sure to reprimand him.

Answer 5

Your dog has a mental defect. That happens when you buy a pure breed dog sometimes there is inbreeding and the dog winds up a little nuts cause his mother and father were probably close cousins. Nothing you can do but separate the dog from the poop as soon as it takes a dump.

Answer 6

change their food to one higher in protein.If you look on the label you will see for instance Science diet first ingrediant is corn.Try a food higher in protein,the dog will stop eating poop.

Answer 7

feed them more food
they are missing an essential vitamin
are you feeding them cheap dog food?
check the ingredients
its amazing what they put into dog food

Answer 8

Well they think its some kinda protien and sometimes you just need to feed your dog.

Answer 9

feed him. d'oh!