There are actually very few side effects or symptoms of
coprophagia, because it does not
cause much damage. Nonetheless, many people find it repulsive
to see a dog eating poop. Also, it is possible for dogs who are
unprotected from worms to
contract them from infested feces, but it is a simple and
common practice for pet owners to keep them up-to-date on
worm and parasite
preventatives.
Bad Breath is a
very common symptom of coprophagia, because the smell of the
feces may linger in the dog’s mouth. This may be counteracted
by brushing the dog’s teeth with toothpaste specifically
formulated for dogs. The bad breath should fade away after the
behavior has been successfully addressed.
Intestinal Worms are often found in the
excrement of dogs. If the worms and larva are present in feces
consumed by an uninfected dog, the dog may become infected.
Because a dog prone to coprophagia has a slightly greater
likelihood of contracting worms, it is important to safeguard
them with a worm preventative, such as Heartgard Plus. Also
have your dog checked twice a year by your veterinarian for
worms.
Kitty Litter Sickness can occur if the dog
frequently consumes feces mixed with kitty litter. The small
stones used in kitty litter are engineered to clump together
when wet. If a dog consumes too many of these stones they can
interfere with digestion, causing severe diarrhea and vomiting,
and possibly will require surgical removal, which is risky
because they tend to be scattered throughout the intestines.
Cat poop seems to be very attractive even to dogs that do not
usually eat poop, so keep an eye on dogs when a litter box is
nearby.
Human Disgust is a very common response to
coprophagia, and can really interfere with the relationship
between dog and human. It is difficult to want to snuggle with
a dog whose breath smells like poop, especially after catching
them in the act. Unfortunately, humans do not always know how
to behave in response, and may make the anxiety of the animal
worse by yelling and scaring the dog. Humans have even been
known the euthanize the animal.
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or
other qualified professional with any questions you may have
regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking
professional advice due to what you may have read on our
website.
Your dog might be a wonderful companion, but like all other
canines, he probably has his share of bad habits. Dogs do a
bunch of gross things, like drinking toilet water, licking
themselves inappropriately in front of guests, and rolling
around in the mud. Of all these habits, the most disgusting one
has to be eating poop.Dogs are a whole different species, so
it’s natural we do not understand all the things they do. Their
intention with eating poop is not to gross us out. There are
several reasons why your pet is eating excrement and
understanding them can help you stop him from continuing with
this nasty habit.
What causes your dog to eat
poop?
Coprophagia, or the act of eating poop, is common among
puppies. It is their way of exploring their surroundings and
everything in it. If your dog is consuming poop, then a visit
to the vet is advised to rule out health issues such as:
- Nutrient deficiency
- Parasites
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Health conditions like thyroid disease or diabetes that may
cause a spike in appetite
- Influence of medications like steroids
Apart from these reasons, dogs can be influenced to eat poop
due to environmental triggers or behavioral issues. These
include:
- Keeping your pet confined for long periods in small spaces
can induce this habit
- Dogs who are left alone in basements or kennels typically
eat their poop
- Some dogs eat poop as a way to get attention from their
owners
- Anxiety and stress can trigger your pet into developing
this habits. Harsh punishment can cause dogs to become afraid
and eat their own poop as a way of eliminating evidence so they
are not punished more
- Keeping your pet’s food in close proximity to its excrement
can confuse him. He may find it hard to differentiate between
the smells of food and poop
How to stop your dog from
continuing this habit?
Once the vet has inspected your dog, they will give you
strategies on how you can stop him from eating poop. The most
common cause is vitamin deficiency, so the doctor will
prescribe some vitamin supplements that may help. Enzyme
supplements may also be given if it is known your dog’s diet is
low in fats and proteins and has high carbohydrate content.At
home, the best way to get your dog to stop eating poop is
managing his environment and through training.
- Keep your home clean so your dog has no access to poop
whenever the urge rises
- While on walks, pick up his poop immediately after he is
finished
- Teach your dog to follow commands like “come” or “leave it”
- Give your dog plenty of healthy, tasty treats so he loses
interest in eating poop
- If you also have a cat, keep the litter bow away from your
dog’s reach
The habit of eating poop is revolting, but it is important to
treat your dog with love and compassion while training him to
stop.
Is Your Dog Eating Cat Feces? Here’s How to Stop It
Believe it or not, your dog eating your cat’s feces or poop is
not that uncommon. Most dogs will at some point eat cat poop if
the opportunity arises. In fact the habit is so common that it
even has a name; Coprophagia. While the exact reason for why
dogs eat cat feces is not known, one theory suggests that dogs
can smell undigested food in cat poop and think that it’s good
enough to eat.If you own both a cat and a dog and your dog is
eating out of the litter box, here are a few tips to help you
get it to stop:
Deny access:
One of the easiest ways to stop your dog from eating cat poop
it to keep the litter box out of reach. You can place the
litter box on a high-shelf which the cat can access but not the
dog. Placing a baby gate around the little box can keep a big
dog away while the cat is still able to fit through the bars
and get to the box. You could also place the little box in a
cabinet with a small opening so only the cat can enter and not
the dog.
Clean up:
Another way to stop your dog from eating out of the litter box
is to clean it out as soon as your cat has used it. This might
not always be possible but you could schedule regular intervals
to clean out the box to prevent the dog snacking out of it.
Train your dog:
While inside the house it is easier to take measures to stop
your dog from eating cat feces, it could be a bit more
challenging when taking a walk outdoors. If you see your dog
going towards cat poop use a firm “no” or “stop” command. When
trained from an early age dogs are very obedient to these
commands. If your dog has already picked up a bit of cat poop
in its mouth you could always ask it to “drop it”. These
commands are simple and easy for a dog to follow and should be
taught to them while there are puppies. Make sure to use a
stern voice to show that you mean business.
Muzzle up:
If all else fails then you will probably need to put a basket
muzzle on your dog when out for walks or even in the house. Not
all dogs are comfortable with the muzzle and some even get a
bit of anxiety from it so save this as a last resort.It is not
always easy to change a dog’s behavior but with patience, love
and positive reinforcement you will be able to succeed.
