I have to watch him all the time, As soon as she,s used her litter box, I have to clean it. or he's in there digging it up. I have had lots of dogs, but never one that does this before, it's gross!!!
2007-02-15 08:52:47 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
This is a very common problem with pets. And more embarrassing for the owners than the dogs!
Tough to break. However here are some ideas. I never did quite break my Sheepdog of the habit. She always had a "guilty" look if she had been.. "sneaking". That could be her own... or a litter box. No matter, they are eating feces, something abhorrent by human standards. Lucy had an excellent vocabulary but this is one thing she pretended that "NO" was just, a breeze flying by and ignored me.
Your dog is not stupid or gross. It is a natural, albeit sick by human standards, habit. Be proactive. It helps. I had an old English sheepdog who had that same sick habit. I tried the pepper solution but she forgot that lesson quickly. Sigh, she also had a thing about cleaning out kitty litter boxes. GROSS. The only thing I could do was make sure she never "kissed" me.
Since she was not a yard dog and was only out with me, I just picked it up before she got to it. That made it a moot point. If you leave your pup to run out back and do the deed, then you need to keep a closer eye on her. They can be very sneaky about it too, so you have to be vigilant.
As for the litter box, put it in a place your can can reach, the dog cannot. Sadly, cat feces seems to be especially nummy to some dogs. And to think we spend millions on fancy flavoured food for them! A litter box that just covers it up or makes a "hut" is too easy for your dog to knock over.
You might also speak to your vet. I am sure he or she would be able to offer sound advice geared to your dog who he knows already.
I think, like you, some of these urges are nutritionally driven. You might also go to a place that specializes in dog foods and various nutritional products. Speak with the owner or someone who knows their stuff. Often these people know a lot about such things and can advise you if it happens to be a nutritional thing that is pushing her to this.
Speaking from very personal and sad experience. Being kissed by a dog with such habits increases your chance of contacting GIARDIASIS. This happened to me, last year, for the first time after a lifetime of kissing dogs. It is NOT pleasant and I learned the necessity of washing my hands thoroughly after even petting my own pet!
Good luck.
2007-02-15 09:02:02 · answer #1 · answered by Noor al Haqiqa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My Yorkie pup did the same thing. He would find other dogs poo in the yard and eat it. It took me a while to break him of it but I finally did. It's hard not to spank them when they do it and I must admit I did a couple of times and I know I shouldn't have. Most times though I just yelled at him very loudly and gruffly. Hopefully yours will grow out of it. Just watch him like a hawk. It got to the point where I would keep him on the leash when in the yard and if he was going near the poo I'd yank him away from it and tell him no.
Good Luck.
2007-02-15 17:06:24 · answer #2 · answered by J.E.B. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, dogs like cat poo. It must taste really great to them. The only thing I recommend if you can't always keep an eye on her, put the cat litter in a higher place than the dog can reach....that's what we had to do. Hope this helps!
2007-02-15 16:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs like to eat poop. It is called Coprophagia. It is actually quite common...disgusting and common. The website I listed below has some steps for keeping the cat out of the litter box. Good luck!
2007-02-15 17:01:56 · answer #4 · answered by ubiquitous_mr_lovegrove 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting, our dog does the same thing, you can always tell-she comes racing up the stairs from the litter box. Must be something they like in there or something there missing, of course were talking about animals who eat their own stuff etc.. go figure. good luck and hopefully you will come across a permanent fix for this.
2007-02-15 17:01:02 · answer #5 · answered by dadknows 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's just a dog thing. We had a Lhasa Apso who did it, our Boxer does it, my beagle/cocker does it. I'm about ready to buy an igloo shaped litter box to keep dogs out. The cat can fit in the little hole, follow the little curvy walkway up and around to the actual litter area, and the dog'll never get in.
2007-02-15 17:00:05 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine does it too. Was recommended by a vet to put pineapple juice on the cats food cos dogs hate that, this may put the cat off eating theie food tho so it doesnt always work. My dog still does it, what we did was get one of the litter trays with lids which has seemed to stop him. Hope this has helped.
2007-02-15 17:02:18 · answer #7 · answered by Emmylou82 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Move the litter box out of the reach of the dog.
2007-02-15 19:11:41 · answer #8 · answered by Shepherdgirl § 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have three dogs, aged 9 and 13. They still try to eat out the cat litter tray. I just shout at them, which is no use! But moving the litter tray around and confusing my kitten doesn't work!
2007-02-15 18:09:33 · answer #9 · answered by felinecrazy41 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is really gross but ask the vet. Cats don't digest all of their food and 80% or more of the poo is cat food. So its not the poo they are after it is the unfinished cat food in the poo.
Seriously the vet will give youthe correct answer over the phone and it will be exactly what I have said above.
2007-02-15 17:12:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋