Q: MY DOG EATS HER OWN POOP!
HOW DO I MAKE HER STOP?!
- A: Puppies discover the world by putting everything into their
mouths. Keep in mind – no opposable thumbs. Despite your best efforts at distracting
him, along with twigs, leaves, mulch, acorns, gum wrappers, and cigarette
butts, you will catch him chomping on another dog’s poop. In the winter, some
dogs have a thing for popsicles. Little brown popsicles. Even worse are the
dogs that make a speedy deposit, then just as quickly, whip around to snag a
snack while it is freshest.
What the heck is wrong with these dogs?!
There is a name for this behavior: Coprophagia.
There are any number of reasons why dogs will eat their own
feces: hunger, habit, boredom, stress, illness, lack of certain dietary
nutrients, to keep clean, to hide evidence, or to get attention.
Whatever the motivation, here’s what to do:
- Have your vet examine your dog to be sure it is
healthy. - Consider changing to a better quality dog food,
one with meat (like chicken, lamb, beef, salmon, or turkey) as the first
ingredient. - Go on a poop-hunt in your yard every day to
remove temptation. - Give your dog something to play with – like food-based
puzzle toys – in the yard to keep him too busy to seek out forbidden fruit. - Walk your dog briskly so there is less
opportunity for her to find another dog’s deposit. - Try a teaspoon of crushed pineapple in your
dog’s meals for about a week. It tastes great going down but apparently not so
wonderful coming out.