How do I get my dogs to stop eating poop?!?

Question

My 3 dogs go outside and eat poop, I have tried a lot of different things, but do you have any ideas that have worked for you?

Answer 1

My dog used to do that also; it's called Carpophagia (not sure if I spelled it right!) and it is a sign that essential nutrients are missing from their food (a lot like a pregnant woman with 'Pica' who wants to eat dirt and other non-foods) If you are feeding your dog cheap food, try to upgrade if you can afford it, and if you do, start slowly integrating the new food into their diet, don't just switch the next day...they will get the screaming shits. mix a quarter of the new food in with the old for a few days and slowly add more until the old is completely phased out. Good luck!

Answer 2

I find that if I clean it up prior to them eating it, the problem is solved.

It is believed to be a latent survival instinct since about 10% of dog poop is still "food" and is harmless unless other dogs that have parasites are involved.

Also, if you are feeding a home diet (not commercial dog food) there is a good chance that the diet is not balanced and that is also considered a factor. Brand or expense of dog food has no bearing, however, as all have 100% of the nutrients a dog needs unless there are other health problems involved.

Answer 3

First cleaning the poop up b4 the dogs eat it is foolproof. Another is adding Dis-Taste® helps stop stool-eating behavior
* Makes feces taste awful to dogs
* Is the most effective product available for this disorder
It is the only product that worked on my dog.

Answer 4

i saw a show on this once, what they said was that ur using dog food that is too rich, and to the dog it still tastes good when it comes back out, the added pineapples to the dog food, and because of the acid it makes the dogs poop taste like poop.

Answer 5

It might be a good idea to take a stool sample to your vet and get it checked for parasites (it's called a Fecal test.) Dogs can get parasites from eating there own feces. There is also an over the counter product that you sprinkle onto his food, and it will actually make the feces taste nasty, which he then won't want to eat. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Clean it up as soon as it happens so they can't eat it.

Some dogs will do this as puppies, most outgrow it, but yours may be looking for more nourishment than they are getting.
Do you feed them enough of a good quality dog food with meat as the first ingredient, not corn fillers? No supermarket junk - something good like Canidae is what they need.

Answer 7

Some folks have had success with food additives, but really, the best way to prevent this is to pick up the poop before they can get to it.

Answer 8

I recomend the Dis-Taste powder. We tried the tablets and the powder with our mini dachshund and he got smart to the tablets and wouldn't eat them. We would coat his meals in the recommended dosage of powder and the problem was resolved rather quickly. We continued using it until the container was gone, and we thought about getting another one, but we haven't had any more icky incidents. Good Luck!. Oh - forgot to tell you we got the poweder from http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

Answer 9

I had assisted a very reputable Lab breeder/trainer (her top dog won best of breed) She had used black licorice for them in the food to make it taste unpleasant for them, ask your vet before you give them anything.. but, the mini pieces of black licorice worked her Labs.

Answer 10

First of all, what are you feeding them? Discount store dog food? If so, thats the problm, there still hungry. If not, there just bored.