Is it normal for dogs to eat there own poop? i have a dachshund that does?

Answer 1

It is disgusting but it is quite normal.

Answer 2

It is considered "normal" in most cases, however you can add meat tenderizer to the food and sometimes it keeps them from eating it when it comes out the other end. Otherwise there is a product called "forbid" only purchased from a veterinarian. P.S. there is no connection between eating poop and diet. Sometimes they just eat it.

Answer 3

I agree with Little Boone that dogs that eat their own poo are not neccessarily lacking something in the diet. A behavioural reason that they might do it is because, when they are newborn puppies and still with their mother, they see their mother "cleaning up after them" (yes, she cleans up their poop), and so they just learn through modelling that that is what they are supposed to do. Another reason they sometimes eat their poo is because it smells like their food to them, so they think that it is for eating. (I think it smells sick, but this is what my breeder told me).

A trick I use with my dog to deter her from this same behaviour is to reward her everytime she poops outside and doesn't eat it. I reward her with both praise and a treat (we use Whiskas Temptations because they are the perfect size for a small dog) every single time that she poops and doesn't try to eat it. It is important for the reward to immediately follow the good behaviour, and for you to be CONSISTENT. So important. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Is it a puppy?
When I got my boxer puppy she did that. I had to follow her and immediatly pick her up when she was done with her business or she would turn around as soon as she was done pooping and eat it! GAG!
Anyhow I asked the vet and she said she should outgrow it. (which she did thank goodness!)
She told me it was because the breeder was feeding her crummy food and then when I got her I put her on good food and the food is so good she wants to eat it again. Even recycled. LOL

Answer 5

usually eating their own poop means they are lacking something in their diet! are you feeding a cheap food? I had the problem and switched mine to pro plan and she stopped! Also there is stuff in the pet store you can sprinkle on their food that makes the poop taste bad so they will stop.

Answer 6

Yup, it happens. You can get some powder from your vet to make his poop taste unappealing if it grosses you out. He should grow out of it eventually.

Answer 7

often puppies will do this. you can get a product at the pet store called "Deter" to stop the behavior. I've used it with my dogs, and it works well.

Answer 8

Yep. Dunno if they do it specifically because of dietary or age issues, but my mom took *very* good care of our dogs, and one of them kept eating cat poop and his own poop until the day he died.

Dogs are just kinda gross that way.

Answer 9

all dogs do that at 1 point

Answer 10

Yes. I asked our vet about this. It's normal and harmless.