Why Is My Dog Eating Deer Poop?
If your dog is eating deer poop, it’s likely that their palate for feces isn’t very discerning. In other words, your dog might just be a poop-eater. A 2012 study by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior reported that 16% of dogs partake in frequent coprophagia (the habit of eating feces).
Dogs are also likely to develop coprophagia if their canine siblings do it. Some dogs are imitators, and if the temptation to eat poop wasn’t already strong, seeing another dog in the house eat poop will make your dog want to chow down even more.
According to the American Kennel Club, coprophagia can also be caused by:
While poop-eating is common among dogs, it can be caused by one or more health or environmental circumstances. Consulting your vet should always be the first line of defense when diagnosing a potential problem with your pet.
What To Do If My Dog Ate Deer Poop
If you are certain or strongly suspect that your dog ate deer poop, you should call your vet and find out how you should proceed. Your vet may suggest close monitoring for any new symptoms that might indicate disease, or they may want to examine your dog.
Vets know what diseases are prevalent locally at any given time, and this may factor into their approach with your dog. Your dog’s overall health and age are also considerations, as some dogs are more vulnerable than others to disease.
What to do when your dog eats poop
If you catch your dog eating deer poop, the best thing to do is to contact your vet. There is a chance that it will be completely harmless to them, but there is a good chance that it won’t be.
Your vet will likely treat the situation like they have ingested poison, asking you when they ate the poop and if they are showing any symptoms of illness.
Diarrhea, throwing up, and vomiting are both extremely common after ingesting deer feces. Your vet may not do anything particularly invasive, but they will make sure that any underlying health issues are dealt with and look for signs of poisoning.
If over the next few days or weeks you notice:
Then contact your veterinarian again immediately for assistance. These are signs that your dog may have a parasite or leptospirosis picked up from eating deer poop.
Coming back to the tooth decay potential, you’ll also want to brush your dog’s teeth as soon as possible after the crime has been committed. This may seem like less of an issue than checking for parasites, but happy teeth equal happy dogs.
FAQ
What should I do if my dog ate deer poop?
Why does my dog want to eat deer poop?
Can dogs get sick from eating wild animal poop?
Can dogs get chronic wasting disease from eating deer poop?