Some pet conversations aren’t fun to have, but the reality of having pets comes along with a few pretty gross things.
Among those things is coprophagia, which is a nicer way of describing the act of eating poop. Many of us have experienced the horror of seeing our dogs eating something in the grass only to find out as we creep closer to them that it’s some kind of excrement. Most dogs find some kinds of “No. 2” delectable, especially of the wild animal variety. Some dogs eat their own feces or that of other dogs and cats.
Many animals eat their own excrement as part of their normal diet. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other animals get much needed nutrients through this process, which absorbs parts of food missed the first time. Though it’s necessary for them, the same isn’t true for dogs.
But please don’t worry. It may be disgusting but it’s totally normal.
There are two main reasons that an adult dog will engage in coprophagia. Often, the act is behavioral or psychological and can be remedied through interventions. Sometimes, coprophasia indicates a medical problem like diabetes, nutrient deficiency, Cushing’s disease or pancreatic insufficiency. The latter will require thorough veterinary exams.
When it happens in puppies, coprophagia is explained as the young dog simply exploring their environment. They’ll likely grow out of the habit with training. This probably isn’t the case when a dog is raised in an overcrowded cage, such as the environment of a puppy mill or shelter. Dogs do not like to be confined to a crowded space containing feces, so they learn to “clean up” their surroundings. Additionally, starvation can drive a dog to eat feces.
Anxiety can play a role in coprophagia, as well. Dogs that are punished harshly by humans through hitting or screaming are more likely to become anxious and eat their own feces to avoid future punishment. If a dog soils in the house and you see it happening, you can clap a little, say “No, no,” and try to lead them to the door to finish the job outside. When they do go to the bathroom outside, praise them and clean up the feces immediately. If you find a dog’s mess inside, simply clean it up and move on. Punishment is scary and confusing to animals.
To prevent dogs from eating stool, offer a poop-eating deterrent treat or add a deterrent powder in their food. These products are supposed to make the stool unappealing. For optimum effectiveness, all dogs in the household must eat it. If there are cats in the house, make sure the litterbox is cleaned frequently and out of reach of curious dog noses. Remove the temptation by keeping your dog’s living area and yard clean.
For instances when you can’t control the environment, teach your dog the cues “leave it” and “come.” When they comply, give them a tasty treat as a reward.
Having a dog with coprophagia isn’t the end of the world. By consistently using the tools above, you should have success in time. Be patient and reach out to a trainer or your veterinarian if you need more help.