Why Do Dogs Take So Long to Poop?
Why do dogs take so long to poop? Well, like so many things in life there isn’t just one simple answer.
The reason why dogs take so long to defecate has to do with a couple different things; it has to do with smell, social signals, and even aligning with magnetic fields. From aligning with the Earth’s magnetic fields to responding to social cues from other dogs, dogs have a few good reasons to take their time when it comes to finding that perfect spot to squat.
Dogs Have Their Own Internal Poop Compass
First things first, you’re probably wondering what in the world dog poop has to do with magnetic fields. Well, as it turns out dogs use their own poop compass when going to the bathroom. Research suggests that dogs poop according to the Earth’s magnetic field.
When researchers looked into how & where dogs defecate they found that they have a desire to line up on a north-south axis. Scientists reason that dogs use a magnetic sense when it comes to deciding when, where & how they poop. And that spinning around some dogs do before they squat? Researchers also believe that’s an attempt to help align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field.
And while this phenomenon may seem really weird it isn’t unique to dogs; it’s been suggested that cattle & foxes also line up preferentially on Earth’s magnetic field lines when defecating.
Why Does My Dog Take so Long to Find a Place to Poop?
There are several reasons why your dog takes a long time to find a place to poop. These range from checking out the smells of other dogs to the earth’s magnetic fields.
Dogs essentially use their bathroom habits as a doggie Facebook. Each pee and poop includes important information, similar to a status update. Your dog may be taking a long time because he’s reading all the information left by other dogs before he gives his “response” in the form of a poop.
Because dogs use poop as a way to communicate, quite a bit of thought goes into it. This includes the spot where they poop. For humans, the majority of communication is nonverbal. A smile, a hand gesture, a tilt of the head can all send different messages. A dog’s poop has a similar amount of nuance.
Some dogs are shy about where they use the bathroom. This could be because a dog is vulnerable, particularly when pooping. In the wild, a dog must be constantly on alert for predators or rivals. When a dog is pooping, they are less prepared to defend themselves.
Your dog may prefer to poop in a private area, like the corner of a fenced-in yard, rather than out in the open. They may simply not want to poop if there are other people or dogs around. Some dogs prefer not to poop in anyone’s presence, including their owner.
Anxiety can also be caused by the environment. If your dog is prone to anxiety or overstimulation, pooping near a busy roadway might be too much. They may need a quiet familiar place to do their business.
Dogs are like children in many ways. You’ve likely seen a young child that completely forgot to use the bathroom because they were busy playing. Just like kids, dogs can become distracted and forget to potty. ‘
If your dog is exploring the area, enjoying a walk, or playing, they may not be thinking about pooping.
It turns out that dogs have their own internal compass. They will align their bodies with the North-South axis when pooping. If you see your dog spinning in a circle before pooping, they are probably aligning themselves with the earth’s magnetic field. Strange but true.
Why Do Dogs Take Forever To Pick A Spot To Poop?
Let’s face it: Dogs are a pain when it comes to going poop. Unlike us, they tug, sniff, circle, squat…and then do it all over again. But there is logic behind this somewhat annoying routine — it just isn’t clear cut.