Can Dogs Get Sick From Eating Deer Poop

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YES! Dogs can get sick from eating deer poop, or any other form of feces for that matter. Not only is it important for you to make sure the poop didn’t cause your dog to get sick, but at the same time, you need to find out why they are eating the poop to begin with.

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:

  • Parasitic infection
  • Malnourishment or a deficient diet
  • Isolation
  • Spending too much time in confinement in a small space

    • 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.

    Can Dogs Get Sick From Eating Deer Poop

    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?

    The most common side effect of deer poop eating in dogs is a slight upset tummy. Any vomiting and diarrhea should resolve after 24-48 hours. Don’t withhold food, but feed little and often, and be prepared to call your vet if your dog becomes lethargic, gets dehydrated, or can’t keep his food down.

    Why does my dog want to eat deer poop?

    Lack of Digestive Enzymes: Feces of herbivores like deer are good sources of digestive enzymes. And if your dog does not produce proper amounts of digestive enzymes that he needs to digest and absorb other nutrients that are vital to his body, he may eat deer feces as a supplement.

    Can dogs get sick from eating wild animal poop?

    Eating their own poop is harmless, but consuming poop from other animals may cause health problems if the stool is contaminated with parasites, viruses, or toxins. In most cases, this behavior will fade before the puppy is about nine months old.

    Can dogs get chronic wasting disease from eating deer poop?

    There isn’t a viable case study for chronic wasting disease as it has not been proven to affect dogs, or any other species outside of cervidae (deer, elk, moose).