Fun Facts About Dogs Eating Poop
Remember the study from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior? Here are some interesting facts they determined in the surveys.
The first survey included 3,000 dog parents, the second survey was narrowed down to just those dogs from the first survey that ate poop.
And this is what they found:
FUN FACTS ABOUT POOP EATERS |
There’s no evidence that related coprophagy to diet or age. |
Coprophagic dogs were likely to be described as aggressive or eager eaters. |
Ease of house-training was not related to eating poop. |
Females were more likely to eat poop. Intact males were the least likely to eat poop. |
85% of poop eaters don’t eat their own poop. |
Dogs overwhelmingly preferred feces that were under two days old. (This may be because of the parasites present. Eggs are killed in the digestive system, once hatched, they’re able to take up residence in the intestines.) |
Home remedies and commercial products aimed at making poop taste bad or aversion/deterrent products were NOT effective in controlling the behavior. |
Some breeds are more prone to coprophagia than others, with terriers and hounds being most likely and poodles least likely. |
Coprophagia is more common in multi-dog households. |
How can you stop a dog from eating poop?
There are some common household products out there that claim to help stop poop consumption. They rarely work, and actually just eliminate the symptoms, not the underlying behavioral reasons. Here are some that you may have heard of and why they aren’t a good idea.
Pineapple: Contains bromelain believed to make the poop bitter. Pineapple is a wonderful treat for your dog but may send mixed messages if you don’t want them eating poop.
Chili or hot sauce: The bitter taste may not be pleasant to your dog, causing them to avoid or turn down the tasty poop nugget, but it could cause burns to the mouth or digestive upset.
Yucca: Makes poop taste bitter and dogs rarely like it.
Bitter Spray: Again, makes the poop taste bitter
Brewers Yeast: High salt content and full of vitamin B, and makes the poop taste bitter. There’s a belief that dogs that eat poop lack vitamin B, so if that’s what you’re after, there are better ways of providing it.
Meat Tenderizer: Many add it to their dog’s food to stop poop eating. However, it contains way too much salt for your canine. It contains bromelain as well, making the poop taste bitter.
Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea?
Pumpkin is a fiber-rich food that also contains important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, E, and C, and potassium and iron. Plain, canned pumpkin is available year-round and can be a great addition to your canine first aid kit.
Pumpkin can ease digestion in several ways. The soluble fiber content in pumpkin adds bulk to your dog’s stool by absorbing water, and fiber fermentation produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to cells, stimulate intestinal sodium and water absorption, and lower the pH level of the large intestines.
Fiber also acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are different from probiotics. They stimulate the growth or activity of these beneficial bacteria in the intestines and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Fiber does this by lowering the pH level and providing the necessary nutrients these bacteria need.
These traits can all help with some cases of dog diarrhea. Depending on the cause of your dog’s diarrhea, veterinarians might recommend feeding either a highly digestible diet or a diet full of prebiotics (fiber). In some cases, they may also recommend adding probiotics, which are supplements that contain live beneficial bacteria. Pumpkin acts as a prebiotic booster for these probiotics.
FAQ
How much pumpkin do you give a dog to stop eating poop?
Does pumpkin help keep dogs from eating poop?
How much pineapple should I give my dog to stop eating poop?