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Dog Poop Eating
What's for desert!


Dog Poop Eating,has to be one of the most unpleasant things we loving pet owners can witness in our beloved little dog.  Small dog breeds are usually given the best food money can buy, we provide them with five star accommodation, we treat them like Royalty, and then they go and behave like animals!

Dog Poop Eating, Small dog breeds, Coprophagia, types of dogs, puppy eating poop, basic dog training

Coprophagia has a few varieties, which may help you identify the specific behavior of your dog. 

Auto-coprophagia is the eating of their own faeces.

When they eat other dogs' poop it's intraspecific-coprophagia and eating the faeces of other animals(other than dogs) interspecific-coprophagia.  

As unpleasant as all this sounds, it may help you to cure the problem more easily.  If your little pooch appreciates your cat's extrement, then that would be an easy one... lift the cat's litter tray out of harms way.

When your dog eats other dogs' poop it may just be an unacceptable habit picked up from watching other dogs or possibly a sign of submission to a more dominant dog. 

Whatever your dog digests may simply be tasty enough to enjoy as an after dinner snack! Dog Food Manufacturers add special flavorants to food to make it more appealing and the food may not be fully digested in it's excreted form. 

It would appear though that even the most well-fed dog, can still submit to this Dog Poop Eating habit.

It is unlikely that this behavior is medical, but not impossible.  Most dogs grow out of this (Dog Poop Eating) phase with a little bit of help.





 

Pick up the poop as soon as possible.  If it is not there, it can't be eaten.  This is generally a good idea anyway.

Feed your dog correctly with a well-balanced diet.  There is a possible link between Dog Poop Eating to a high fat diet, increase the fibre in your dog's diet.

Change his diet, as he may not be getting sufficient nutrients from his existing diet.

Spray any poop with a distasteful substance. Something really spicy works.  Make sure it is not poisonous, just in case your dog decides it is still irresistible.  Your vet can provide an additive which makes their faeces unpleasant tasting.

Do not yell at the dog (even when you catch him in the act) this is attention, and your dog will thrive on that.  Ignore your dog whenever his behavior is unacceptable.

Ensure your dog has been de-wormed.

Your dog may be nervous or anxious, this behavior problem will increase his stress levels and Coprophagia is associated with stress.  Dog Separation Anxiety is one huge stress for many types of dogs.

Puppy eating poop, may just be copying its mother, who naturally eats her puppies' poop in the early whelping stages.  Keeping your puppy occupied and exercised will help.

Boredom is associated with Dog Poop Eating habits. Give your dog, toys, love and lots of exercise and play time.

Don't give your dog just one meal a day, break up his meals, so they are more fully digested and he is not left hungry for part of the day.

You may have to re-inforce the Basic Dog Training.  Say the Come Command firmly when you see your pooch approach his poop.  Do not shout or run after him, as that will be a fun game and reinforce the bad behavior.

All types of dogs are prone to to eating cat poop, as the cat food is different to theirs.  Keep your cat's litter in a place your precious angel can't get to.

 

The primary health concern here is infection from hepatitis, and canine parvovirus which is transmitted in cat faeces.

Pancreatic insufficiency and Pancreatitis are possible medical conditions which would cause on-going Dog Poop eating. Usually though there will be other symptoms, which will identify an underlying medical problem.

Other Information on Dog Behavior:

Basic Dog Training - Education is Key

Puppy Potty Training - Your first Gift to your Dog 

Dog Behavior Training - Dogs will be Dogs

Dog Wetting - Pleased to meet You!

Pack Behavior - Training ABC

Return from Dog Poop Eating to Dog Behavior Modification

Aversion or Avoidance Therapy is required


Go from Dog Poop Eating to About Small Dog Breeds Home Page



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 Breed Feature

They are all so beautiful making it  difficult to decide which one to feature!  The choice for this month is the Lhaso Apso Dog Character and Lhaso Apso Fast Facts.

 


 Lhapso Apso
For other gorgeous small dog breeds try our list of
Small Dogs if you are
hypoallergenic try our list of fluffy haired dogs for people with allergies.

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Inspiration

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or for a light hearted look at our best friends look at our Funny dog sayings    


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Our Veterinary Articles cover many Congenital Dog Health Conditions (see our chart). Kindly provided By Dr Sunelle Strydom. 

See our other common health issues.Such as an itchy dog  problem or dogs arthritis - a condition which affects most  dogs at some stage of their precious lives.