Dogs do strange things sometimes, like drinking from the toilet or rolling in smelly stuff. But one of the grossest habits for many dog owners to think about is why dogs eat poop. Dogs don’t do it to disgust us, but it sure does. In fact, some people get so grossed out that they consider giving away their dog or even putting them to sleep.
Eating poop isn’t nice, but lots of dogs do it. If your dog does, there are things you can try to stop them.
Why Dogs Eat Poop According to Science
Dogs eating poop, scientifically known as coprophagia, is a common behaviour with both behavioural and physiological reasons. If your dog has this habit, don’t worry; there are ways to discourage it through behaviour modification and some products designed to make poop less appealing to dogs.
In a 2012 study by Dr. Benjamin Hart from the University of California, Davis, researchers found that 16% of dogs were serious poop eaters, caught in the act five times, and 24% were observed eating poop at least once. According to Hart, this behaviour is rooted in a dog’s innate predisposition, inherited from ancestral canids. It served to protect pack members from intestinal parasites present in faeces that might be dropped in the den or rest area.
Although eating poop seems repulsive to humans, it’s a part of a dog’s natural instincts. Dogs, evolving as scavengers, have a different perspective on what’s suitable to eat due to their history of finding food on the ground or in trash heaps.
Animal behaviourist Steven R. Lindsay, in his Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, suggests that coprophagia may be one of several survival behaviours developed to cope with the occasional adversity of starvation. In simpler terms, when food is scarce, dogs can’t afford to be choosy.
Other reasons why dogs eat poop include:
1. Dogs sometimes eat poop due to behaviour problems.
One reason is to get attention since pet owners react when they see it. Anxiety, especially related to house training, can also lead to this habit. If dogs spend too much time alone or in small spaces, they may develop the tendency to eat faeces.
If you find it challenging to stop these behaviours, it’s a good idea to seek help from a behaviourist. They can provide guidance and solutions to correct these habits and ensure your dog’s well-being. Remember, addressing the underlying behavioural issues is crucial to breaking the cycle of poop-eating habits in dogs.
2. It’s in dog’s nature to eat poop
This behaviour, scientifically called coprophagia or canine conspecific coprophagy, is a natural aspect of a dog’s nature. According to a study referenced by the American Kennel Club (AKC), about one in four dogs engages in poop-eating, either their own or from another animal, at least once in their lifetime.
Additionally, one in six dogs can be categorized as “serious” stool eaters, meaning they consume faeces at least five times or more during their lives. While pet owners may dislike this behaviour, it’s essential to recognize that it’s a common trait in dogs, rooted in their instinctive behaviours. Understanding and addressing this aspect of canine behaviour can help pet owners navigate and manage this behaviour more effectively.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Pasta
3. Dogs have a natural instinct to eat poop.
Before they became our pets, dogs were scavengers surviving on whatever they could find, including faeces. This behaviour continues in domesticated dogs, and it’s not uncommon for them to eat poop during certain phases of their lives.
In the first three weeks after birth, mother dogs often eat their puppies’ faeces to maintain cleanliness in their living space. Research suggests that puppies associate the smell of faeces on their mother’s breath with food during this cleaning process. However, puppies may also eat their own poop or droppings from other animals as part of a playful activity or simply because they enjoy the taste.
Understanding this innate behaviour can help dog owners address and manage this common habit. Providing proper training, a balanced diet, and regular veterinary check-ups can contribute to minimizing stool-eating behaviour in dogs.
4. Dogs sometimes eat poop because of their food habits.
When dogs develop the habit of stealing food, it can also lead to coprophagia, which is the technical term for eating faeces. Additionally, if a dog’s food and the area where it does its business are too close, some pets may create a link between the two. For these dogs, the proximity of their food to the places they poop establishes a connection, making them more likely to engage in poop-eating behaviour.
It’s important to address and modify these food-related habits to discourage coprophagia in dogs. By understanding and altering these behaviours, pet owners can help their dogs develop healthier habits and prevent them from consuming faeces.
5. Having your dog eat poop might be a health concern.
If your dog has recently started this behaviour, it could signal underlying medical issues. If you notice your dog frequently eating poop or if it happens alongside other health issues like weight loss, lethargy, or vomiting, it’s essential to consult their veterinarian.
Conditions such as intestinal parasites, Cushing’s Disease, and enzyme deficiencies are linked to poop consumption in dogs. Taking prompt action and seeking professional advice can help identify and address potential health problems affecting your furry friend.
Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to ensure your dog’s well-being and to catch any health issues early on. Understanding why dogs engage in poop-eating behaviours and recognizing when it becomes a concern allows for proactive care, promoting a healthier and happier life for your canine companion.
Why It is Normal for Dogs to Eat Poop
For certain animals, like rabbits, eating poop is a completely normal way to get important nutrients. If you stop rabbits from doing this, they can have health issues, and young rabbits won’t grow well. Luckily, dogs don’t need to eat poop for nutrition. However, it’s normal and natural behaviour for some dogs at certain life stages.
When mother dogs have puppies, they lick them to encourage them to go to the bathroom. For the first three weeks after birth, the mother cleans up the puppies’ poop by eating it. Puppies also naturally do this, eating their own poop (autocoprophagia), poop from other dogs (allocoprophagia), and even poop from cats and other animals.
Some dogs may be interested in horse manure and goose droppings. While it’s not harmful for a puppy to eat its own poop, eating poop from other animals can cause health problems if the stool has parasites, viruses, or toxins. In most cases, this behaviour usually stops by the time a puppy is about nine months old.
What You Need to Know About Dogs Who Eat Poop
When puppies indulge in coprophagia, commonly known as poop eating, it is often seen as a natural part of their exploration of the world. While most puppies are content with sniffing and investigating scents, some go to the extent of putting everything, including poop, into their mouths.
Interestingly, dogs are selective about the type of faeces they consume. They seldom eat soft or poorly formed faeces, favouring instead hard stools. Frozen poop, in particular, seems to be an enticing treat for dogs with a penchant for poop consumption. Observations from studies indicate several factors influencing this behaviour:
- Coprophagia is more prevalent in households with multiple dogs.
- Single-dog homes show only a 20% incidence of poop eating, while homes with three dogs have a 33% occurrence.
- House training is no more challenging for dogs that eat poop than for others.
- Female dogs are more likely to engage in poop eating, with intact males being the least likely.
- A whopping 92% of poop eaters prefer fresh faeces, ideally one to two days old.
- Dogs that consume poop rarely eat their own; they show a preference for faeces from other dogs.
- There’s a correlation between dogs that steal food off tables and those with a tendency to eat poop.
Simple Steps to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop
Preventing your dog from eating poop is important, and it’s not as hard as it may seem. Here are a few easy ways to help you out:
1. Maintain a Tidy Environment for Your Dog
Keep your surroundings clean to limit your dog’s exposure to poop. Swiftly tidy up any messes your dog makes in the yard. If you have a cat and your dog enjoys snacking on cat poop, make sure to regularly empty the cat’s litter box. This helps create a cleaner environment for your furry friends.
Cleaning up promptly in your yard reduces the chances of your dog coming into contact with faeces. Additionally, being diligent about emptying the cat’s litter box prevents your dog from indulging in unsuitable snacks. Maintaining cleanliness around your home ensures a healthier and more hygienic living space for both your dog and cat.
Regular cleanups not only contribute to your pets’ well-being but also make your home a more pleasant and safe place for everyone. So, be proactive in maintaining cleanliness to keep your pets happy and healthy.
2. Distract Your Dog
When your dog goes for a bathroom break, it’s helpful to have a toy, chew, or treat handy. Once they’ve finished doing their business, offering a fun distraction can break the habit of them searching for poop in the yard or nearby places. This simple trick helps redirect their attention and keeps them from engaging in the undesirable behaviour of scavenging for waste.
Providing a positive and enjoyable activity after elimination reinforces good habits and makes the whole experience more pleasant for both you and your furry friend. By incorporating this easy distraction technique, you can discourage your dog from developing the habit of sniffing around for poop, creating a cleaner and more enjoyable environment for everyone.
3. Consistently Train Your Dog
It’s important to stay consistent when training your pet. When they start searching for poop, use voice commands like “leave it” or “come.” These commands work well, especially when accompanied by positive reinforcement, such as showing affection or giving treats. This consistency helps your pet understand what’s expected of them and reinforces good behaviour.
So, whether you’re teaching them to avoid certain things or to come to you when needed, stick to your training efforts and reward their positive actions. This not only makes the training more effective but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend.
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