Prevent dogs from eating poop
Quite literally, a preference for poop in your dog’s diet can suck (pardon the pun) for the whole family. Not only is it unsettling to watch, it’s also not the best source of vitamins and nutrients for your wonderful pooch, and let’s not dwell too much on the lovely kisses your pup wants to give you!
But don’t worry, you’re not alone. A preference for pooping is also known as coprophagia and is best treated early on, as it can be a symptom of a larger problem, such as a nutritional or anxiety problem.
Why do dogs eat poop?
The first question many homeowners ask is why?
Well, there are a few reasons why dogs will develop a taste for their poop. The two most common are that the dog is hungry or trying to clean his area. Other reasons could include an anxious habit or an attempt to copy you when you clean the garden. Each of these can be resolved, but it is important that you address them quickly, because more than the social concerns, which can cause you some distress, are the health problems associated with the habit.
Dogs that eat poop may have worms or other parasites and to fix them you will need medication.
address the problem
The first thing you should do is treat the matter seriously. Make an appointment with your local veterinarian to have your dog evaluated and determined if he is 100 percent healthy. If your dog has recently picked up the habit, there is likely a trigger and a possible cause could be worms. Your vet will advise you if this is the case and provide a deworming treatment. To prevent your dog from getting worms or parasites in the future, ask your vet to recommend a good ongoing prevention treatment.
Once you have the go-ahead from the vet, you will have successfully narrowed down the cause. So it’s likely that your dog is eating poop due to poor diet, boredom, or in some cases both. Implementation of improvements in both areas can be done at the same time and is recommended.
Dogs need a good balanced diet, so making sure your dog is getting all the nutrients he needs is the first thing to do. You can do this by feeding your dog a mix of quality wet and dry food. If you’re not sure what a good brand is, ask your veterinarian, pet store, or your dog’s breeder.
At the same time, make sure to keep your area clean and tidy, this is especially important in the immediate area surrounding your space. Try to remove any dog poop twice a day to reduce the chances of your dog snacking.
Whats Next?
If you have both gone to the vet and discussed feeding and grooming issues and your dog continues to eat poop, you will need to step up your intervention. Here are three other ways you can try to help distract your dog from his habit:
1. Try a tablespoonful of pumpkin puree in your meal. Dogs don’t mind pumpkin, but when they digest it, it will make their poop look less appetizing.
2. Take a spray bottle of water to the park or on a walk. If your dog starts eating dog poop, give him a good spray at the same time he says “NO” loud and clear.
3. Use basic commands with your dog. If your dog is well-trained in other ways, you can try making him sit and then spray the poop with bitter apple or cayenne pepper. This will make poop less appealing, but your dog will also begin to learn that when he goes to eat poop, you’re actually giving him a break where he can’t run, walk, or play.
As with all dog training, it will take time for your dog to learn to associate action with punishment, but it will work if you are consistent. However, the best advice is to keep a clean garden. If the poop isn’t there, your dog won’t be able to eat it.
