Does your dog eat it's own poop?
@wildcatsthree (289)
United States
January 24, 2010 7:25am CST
As disgusting as it sounds to us, it's very common for a dog to eat it's own poop, or dip into the cat's litterbox. It's a natural behavior that they learn from their mother, who will eat the puppy's feces to keep the den clean. When we rescued Rosie, she had this nasty habit, so I did some research for ways to curb the behavior.
First, the dog should be checked by a veterinarian to be sure it doesn't have parasites as parasites can make them have a ravenous appetite. Also keep the waste picked up in the yard and keep any litter boxes confined in an area the dog can't reach. Adding zuccini to their food makes the feces taste bad, and there are many products you can purchase that do the same thing. Bottom line is you need to change the dog's behavior as it has become a habit to them. I've been pretty successful in changing Rosie's behavior, but old habits die hard and I still watch her when she's out in the yard, and I've had good luck with tapping on the window to break her fixation.
Do any of you have a dog that eats their own poop?
2 people like this
9 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
24 Jan 10
As a farmer for over 60 years I've learned to respect the fact that animals can, and do balance their own diets, (if given a chance by their human owners.) Ive seen this happen many times, and I've never seen any healthy animal, at any time, eat feces. Pigs will root around in feces but they do this to find insects or other grubs that may be living in it. I've always had a farm dog, which was allowed the run of the farm.I've seen my dog eat grass, and lick salt from the side of the road, but have never seen a healthy dog eat feces. I'm wondering what you are feeding your dog? Do not feed table scraps. Dogs are not people! Does he ever get a mineral supplement?. Whatever the problem, its his diet that is deficient. Try him on different dogfood brands, and inquire about a mineral supplement for his diet.
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@wildcatsthree (289)
• United States
25 Jan 10
I wish it was as simple as a diet change. Rosie developed these behaviors before I adopted her and in the almost 3 years she's been with us she eats a top-notch all-natural diet, with no table scraps. Some dogs may do it because of their diet, and that may have been what started Rosie doing it when she was living on the streets and fending for herself. She is now in optimal health according to her regular vet checkups. Her overall health has improved dramatically, her coat gleams, and she no longer sheds like she did when we first took her in. I have another dog who we raised from 7 weeks old, and she does not have the problem (they both eat the same diet). But in the research I've done, once the behavior begins, it can be difficult to break it.
@mkcd1973 (28)
• United States
25 Jan 10
If you talk to your vet they can give you some stuff that you sprinkle on their food that apparently has no taste but it makes their poop taste really bad and it keeps them from eating it. There is also some stuff at Tractor Supply you can get called "Potty Mouth" it is basiclly the same thing; sprinkle it on their food and it is supposed to make them stop eating the poop.
Both of my indoor dogs were eating each others, I got some stuff from the vet and it works. Only problem is, you have to keep buying it. It's good for dogs that are left home alone for long periods of time when you can't keep an eye on them.
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
26 Jan 10
In North America, Wolves and Coyotes hunt in packs, as they have for hundreds of thousands of years. This indicates that Wild Dogs are slow to evolve, perhaps because they are so successful at what they do. When the pack brings down, and kills an animal of prey, they quickly tear open the abdomen, and the Alfa Male gets his choice of stomach, kidneys, liver, and bowels, including partially digested material.The pack eats whatever is left, and these are the favored portions of a wild dogs lunch.
Pet Dogs are close relatives of these wild Canines, and its conceivable that their tastes have not yet evolved beyond those of wolves and coyotes.
@ElicBxn (63608)
• United States
24 Jan 10
I remember watching that British dog training lady on TV who told a couple that part of the problem was the food they were feeding their dog was too rich and that because of it the dog wasn't digesting all the protein, so its feces smelled like food to it. She cut back on the amount of protein the dog was getting, and in a form that slowed the digestive process so he was getting more value from what he WAS eating. She also had them walking the dog more so it wasn't stuck in the house for hours and eliminating on the floor and then confined with it so he was smelling it and then eating it.
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@wildcatsthree (289)
• United States
25 Jan 10
Thanks for your input. I remember reading that some dogs develop the behavior when they're left in a crate all day, and they do it out of boredom or to keep their crate clean. And yes, walking the dog regularly is very important too. I am a big fan of Cesar Milan who advocates walking a dog can solve a lot of behavior problems. That isn't the problem with my Rosie, as I'm home most of the day and can let her out whenever she wants, and we do walk regulary.
1 person likes this
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
25 Jan 10
I use to have a dog but I heard that when the dog was a puppy it would eat its own poop. It ended up getting sick. Luckly the dog started to feel better and stop eating poop for a while. I also saw the dog eat its old poop in the front yard. My family member and I stopped the dog from swallowing its own poop.
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@MimiRemo (418)
• Philippines
24 Jan 10
My dog stays inside the house most of the time, and everytime she needs to go pee or poop, she comes and lightly bites me as if tugging me to go with her to the door. So she never ate her own poop. Everyone in the house put her away from her poop when she was yet very little and untrained. Thank goodness! Keep up the good work in training your dog.
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@wildcatsthree (289)
• United States
25 Jan 10
It's so much easier having a dog from puppyhood when you can start them out right - it can avoid so many problems down the line as they grow. Rescued animals I have found come to you with a host of problems sometimes, but it's also very rewarding to work with them and be able to rehabilitate them back to a happy life after all they've been through. Thanks for your input
@cookiebaker (330)
• India
24 Jan 10
youre right. ive seen dogs eating their own poop. mainly ive seen only the wild dogs do so. never my pet has done so.
i think its so because of hunger. its quite practical. if you dont get water, then you will obviously drink last drop of your urine hoping to live some more days.
morever, some dogs can see and learn too.
its best not to let the pets mix with the wild ones. also if one cross breed's a wild one and a pet then the "memories" maybe passed to the offspring which may be like the wild-poop-eating-parent
1 person likes this
@wildcatsthree (289)
• United States
25 Jan 10
I agree and feel Rosie started this behavior as a self-preservation when we as living on her own before she was taken in by the dog warden before we adopted her.
@ongtina (1232)
• Singapore
25 Jan 10
I don't have a dog but I know that dogs do eat poops. My husband always says that too and it is a reason he doesn't like to have animals that move about freely in the house, like a cat or dog. I like cats. Anyway, it is because of this that when we see people allowing their dogs to "kiss" or lick them in their faces, even mouth to mouth, we wonder didn't they know and isn't it disgusting.
1 person likes this
@cookiebaker (330)
• India
24 Jan 10
youre right. ive seen dogs eating their own poop. mainly ive seen only the wild dogs do so. never my pet has done so.
i think its so because of hunger. its quite practical. if you dont get water, then you will obviously drink last drop of your urine hoping to live some more days.
morever, some dogs can see and learn too.
its best not to let the pets mix with the wild ones. also if one cross breed's a wild one and a pet then the "memories" maybe passed to the offspring which may be like the wild-poop-eating-parent
1 person likes this
