Dealing with a dog that has taken up the unsavory habit of eating poop, whether their own or another animal’s, can be both distressing and bewildering for any pet owner. This behavior, known scientifically as coprophagia, is not only unpleasant but can also raise concerns about health risks and nutritional deficiencies.
Understanding why your furry friend engages in this behavior is the first step towards addressing it effectively. From dietary adjustments and training strategies to health checks and environmental management, there are several approaches to discourage this habit and promote healthier, more appropriate behaviors in your dog. This guide aims to provide you with practical advice and insights into stopping your dog from eating poop, ensuring a happier and healthier life for both you and your pet.
To answer your questions about why dogs eat poop and how you should respond, we have consulted our expert source, Stop Your Dog Eating Poop: The Complete Guide for Frustrated Dog Owners, by Mia Montagliani and Kath Luty. Read on as we delve further into the issue, learn about the most common causes, and discuss the possible solutions.
So, How Do You Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop?
If your dog is eating poop, the emphasis is on managing your dog’s environment and preventing the behavior, as it is very difficult to eradicate. This means minimizing access to poop by cleaning the yard, keeping your dog muzzled on walks. In some cases it means dealing with underlying nutritional deficiencies or medical conditions.
So, let’s look at why your dog eats poop and how to stop it. See here.
ix of factors, related to genetics, compulsive disorders, problems like indiscriminate eating, pica, or even chasing shadows.
What Can Happen If My Dog Keeps Eating Poop?
Remember that poop eating is fairly dangerous for dogs. Deadly diseases like Parvo are primarily spread through infected feces. Poop can also carry parasites, like worms. Not to mention the hygiene issues that can arise from your dog kissing your face or licking something in your house (see our article on why dogs lick feet!).
Other health hazards in dog poop include:
- Hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms;
- Salmonella and E. Coli; and
- Giardia.
How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop: 11 Top Tips
There’s no easy answer on how to stop coprophagia (eating poop) altogether. It’s a complex issue influenced by various factors. After all, you may teach your dog the “leave it” command to stop them in the act, but this won’t guarantee that they won’t do it when you’re not there. So, the key to stopping your dog eating poop lies primarily in being proactive about management and prevention.
Please remember, there is a link between poop eating and anxiety or compulsive behaviors in dogs. For this reason, punishment is not a good tool to use for this. Punishment can increase their anxiety and exacerbate the issue. It can also become a source of negative attention for dogs who are happy with any kind of attention they can get.
1. Supervision and Intervention
Keep a close eye on your dog, especially during potty breaks or outdoor activities. Respond promptly if you notice them showing interest in feces by redirecting their attention or using verbal cues to discourage the behavior.
2. Keep Your Yard Clean & Limit Access
If your dog is a serial poop eater, the best way to stop it is to prevent it. Keep your yard clean and remove any stools promptly. You may want to train your dogs to only poop in one spot to make it easier to clean up after them. You can even fence this area off so that the dogs don’t have access to the pooping area and they go potty at specific times in the day. They video below shows how to teach a dog to poop in one area:
3. Keep Your Dog on Leash in Public (and Use Muzzles)
When you have a poop eater, it’s best not to take them to the local dog park and let them off leash. Instead, keep your dog on leash unless you are certain they are in an area that is free of feces.
Also invest in muzzle training your dog to be able to physically create a barrier that blocks them from eating poop if they are off leash.
4. Manage Your Dog’s Routine
While upping the amount of time you spend on fun activities with your dog, like playtime and exercise can help divert them from a compulsive need to eat poop, managing their routine is also helpful. This means specific crate times and specific times to go potty. This also means you can clean up any poop immediately after they potty, which prevents access.
5. Redirecting to a Better Activity
Having crate time during the day and teaching your dog to settle, is also a great time to offer them a better alternativ-e-archive to eating poop. Chew toys, puzzle toys, and other appropriate items for them to eat means that you can redirect their natural urges to something less dangerous and unpleasant.
6. Positive Reinforcement
Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward your dog for appropriate behaviors and obedience. That can include treats, praise, or playtime to reinforce good behavior and create positive associations.
7. Command Training (Leave It!)
Teach your dog basic commands such as “leave it” or “drop it” and practice them consistently. These commands can help redirect your dog’s attention away from feces and reinforce more desirable behaviors.
8. Increased Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Ensure your dog receives daily physical and mental stimulation. A tired and mentally stimulated dog is less likely to engage in undesirable behaviors like coprophagia.
9. Regular Veterinary Check-ups & Deworming
Schedule regular veterinary check-ups to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to coprophagia. Your vet can guide potential medical causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Check for issues that may be causing your dog to struggle to absorb nutrients, like pancreatic problems or malabsorption syndrome. Also keep your dog up-to-date on deworming and make sure they eat a high-quality diet to avoid any deficiences.
10. Address Anxiety and Stress
If your dog exhibits signs of anxiety or stress, work on addressing the underlying causes through techniques such as desensitization, counterconditioning, or seeking professional help from a qualified dog behaviorist.
11. Socialization and Training Classes
Enroll your dog in socialization or obedience training sessions to improve their behavior, responsiveness, and overall well-being. These classes provide structure, guidance, and opportunities for positive social interactions.
The Importance of Patience and Persistence
It’s important to remember that completely stopping coprophagia can be very difficult. Results may not happen overnight, so staying patient and persistent is crucial. Celebrate even the most minor victories and consistently reinforce positive behaviors while discouraging unwanted ones.
The Complexity of Coprophagia: When to Consult Professionals
Given the complexity of coprophagia, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from a veterinarian or a qualified dog behavior specialist. They can evaluate your dog’s unique situation, rule out any underlying medical issues, and provide tips on how to stop your dog from eating poop.
Help! My Pregnant Dog is Eating Poop!
Pregnant dogs may exhibit coprophagia (eating poop) for various reasons. The primary reason is probably that mother dogs clean up their puppies’ poop naturally, so this instinct may just be kicking in when a dog is pregnant. A female dog that is cleaning up after her puppies is natural behavior and even important, as puppies need their mothers to stimulate their bowels to work with licking. Other reasons a pregnant dog may eat feces include:
- Nutritional Deficiencies;
- Hormonal Changes;
- Stress or Anxiety; and
- Environmental Factors.
Should I Prevent My Pregnant Dog From Eating Poop?
You should discourage and prevent a pregnant dog from eating poop. Coprophagia poses potential risks to the health of the pregnant dog and her developing puppies. However, remember that when the puppies are born, eating their poop is a natural part of the cleaning process.
My Dog Is Eating Her Puppies’ Poop! Is It Normal?
It is common for a mother dog to consume her puppies’ poop, especially during the early stages of their lives. While it may seem strange or concerning, this behavior can be a normal maternal instinct in dogs.
Here are a few reasons why a mother dog might eat her puppies’ poop:
- Cleanliness and Protection: Mother dogs naturally want to keep their den or living area clean to protect their puppies from potential predators or diseases
- Stimulating Elimination: In the first few weeks of a puppy’s life, the mother stimulates their elimination by licking their genital and anal areas.
- Nutritional Recycling: Mother dogs instinctively try to recycle nutrients by consuming the feces of their puppies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I spray on my dog or give my dog to stop eating poop?
Does pineapple stop a dog eating poop?
What vitamins do dogs need to stop them eating poop?
Giving your dog a daily multivitamin chew however, is usually more than enough for most dogs to avoid any nutritional deficiency.
What can happen if my dog keeps eating poop?
How do I clean my dog’s mouth after they’ve eaten poop?
In Conclusion
Stopping your dog from eating poop can be challenging due to the various underlying causes and individual differences. However, you can manage this behavior by managing their environment.
You should also provide distractions, address any nutritional deficiencies, and seek professional guidance. Remember to be patient and persistent, and celebrate small victories.
Meet Your Experts
Author
Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.