How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop
The first thing you’ll want to do is schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is in good health. Ruling out any health conditions is the most important thing you’ll need to check off.
If your veterinarian discovers an underlying condition, then they may suggest a path of treatment (e.g. particular diet, multivitamin or medication to relieve anxiety). If there are no health conditions detected by your vet, you’ll need to focus on deterring or distracting your dog from eating its poop.
There are some products on the market that are made to deter your dog from consuming their poop, but these products can be ineffective and costly.The best thing you can do is take away the temptation. That means going out with your dog when they go potty and scooping up their poop immediately after.
You may find that keeping your dog on a leash while they go potty helps keep them away from their poop too. Correct your dog if they attempt to eat their poop by saying “no” or “leave it” and directing your dog away from the feces.
Is Poop Eating Dangerous For Dogs?
Generally speaking, if a dog eats his own poop it isnt dangerous, just unpleasant and icky.
BUT, if little Fido seems intent on snacking on every random poop he finds, or thinks kitty crunchies from the cat litterbox are the best treats ever, then this habit can become hazardous to his health.
Many of the most dangerous and contagious dog illnesses are transmitted through feces. If your pooch eats the poop of a sick dog, he could get very ill himself.
The same applies to cat poop, plus cat litter isnt a great thing to be swallowing at the best of times! It can clump together and cause an intestinal blockage, or at the very least make your puppy vomit.
Parasites such as worms can also be transmitted through the ingestion of feces, that is not something you want for your puppy.
Some dogs may be trying to keep the yard clean. Make sure you scoop the yard on a regular basis. If you have a poop-eater, this means you must clean up immediately every time your dog goes outside. That is the only way to avoid temptation.Advertisement
My dog eats his poop in the yard. Can this make him sick? How do I stop it?
The human health concerns are another reason to keep the yard scooped on a daily basis. Eating feces can also disrupt the bacteria that live in your dogs GI tract causing diarrhea, gas and discomfort.
Dr. Francine Rattner is a veterinarian at South Arundel Veterinary Hospital in Edgewater. Please send questions to [email protected] or to http://www.facebook.com/southarundelvet. Advertisement
There are products sold that are supposed to make the feces taste bad and therefore deter your pet. In my experience, these products must be used within the first few times your pet tastes any feces. Otherwise their noses can tell which piles are tainted and which ones are worth a taste.