Dogs commonly exhibit many strange, curious and sometimes disgusting behaviors, but few are as baffling to canine guardians as when their dog begins chewing down on poop. Scientifically termed coprophagia, this behavior can be very disgusting to watch, and we understand. Its cause is unknown, but it’s relatively common in dogs. So today, let’s understand what coprophagia is and why do dogs eat poop. Highlight the possible harms and what you can do to prevent it in a step-by-step form. Let us begin!
What is Coprophagia?
In simple terms, coprophagia is the consumption of feces. Though it sounds disgusting, this behavior is instinctual in dogs and is based on numerous factors. While this behavior can be considered natural, there are still many side effects and harms involved. All veterinarians discourage this act and advise dog owners to train their dogs not to consume poop.
Is Eating Poop Bad For Your Dog?
Eating poop infected with harmful bacteria (such as E. coli), viruses or intestinal worms, can be dangerous for dogs. This behavior needs to be addressed in order to prevent possible health risks.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Common Reasons
Knowing why dogs consume poop can help you understand this behavior and properly come up with a strategy to prevent it. Here are some common reasons as to why dogs eat poop:
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
Dietary deficiencies are one of the most popular reasons why dogs eat poop. Your dog might try to eat poop because they are not getting enough nutrition from their regular diet. It is a common behavior in dogs that are not well-fed.
2. Instinctual Behavior
In the wild, dogs are scavengers and would basically eat anything they could to survive. This means poop as well. Yes, in the words of a dog – there can still be food in that! This instinctual behavior can even be relevant for a domesticated dog.
3. Attention-Seeking Behavior
In some cases, dogs eat poop to gain attention from their owners just like when they lick your face. When a bored or neglected dog recognizes that this will get them attention, they perform these things purposefully. Negative attention can also serve to reinforce the behavior.
4. Mimicking Other Dogs
Dogs are natural copycats, ironic, isn’t it? They learn and adapt many things from other animals and even humans. When dogs observe another dog eating poop, they might try it out of curiosity.
5. Medical Issues
Coprophagia can sometimes be related to certain medical problems like malabsorption syndrome, parasites or other digestive diseases. When your dog starts abruptly eating poop, it is important to check with a veterinarian and eliminate the underlying health issues. In case of an allergic reaction, if you notice your dog shaking, take them to your local vet for a checkup.
Potential Dangers Regarding Coprophagia
Not all instinctual behaviors are beneficial. If not dealt with, coprophagia can lead to many dangerous health complications.
- Health Risks: Dogs eating poop can infect them with dangerous bacteria, parasites and viruses. Gastrointestinal infections are not uncommon and may lead to severe illness if they do occur.
- Behavioral Problems: If left unchecked, coprophagia can manifest other negative behaviors. A dog that eats poop will more often be interested in other forms of scavenging — increasing the risk they ingest something toxic.
If you see some allergic reactions in your dogs after they consume poop, give them some anti-allergic medicine like Benadryl. If the symptoms worsen, contact your vet immediately.
How Do You Keep Your Dog From Eating Poop
While some dogs, such as pups who eat feces may phase out of coprophagia with time and maturity, it is not always the case. There are steps you can take to prevent this behavior such as:
1. Provide a Balanced Diet
Your canine friend needs a balanced diet with all those important elements, making this point crucial. Discuss with your vet if the diet you are giving to your dog is enough or if you should give it additional supplements. Try adding some healthy fruits and vegetables like Zucchini, Pears, Tomatoes etc. However, you must follow the guidelines and maintain a balanced diet. Excessive feeding of fruits and vegetables can lead to stomach upsets and other health complications. You can also add some meat to your dog’s diet such as Chicken, Turkey and even Salmon, however, it is recommended to cook chicken and other meats first. Also, do not add any spices and seasonings like Garlic and Onions as they are toxic to dogs. Also avoid Almonds, Raw potatoes and other known food products toxic to dogs.
2. Supervise and Clean Up
Keeping a close watch on your dog while they are outside and keeping their litter box clean can help prevent them from eating feces. Keep your dog on a leash during walks if they have a habit of eating poop.
3. Use Deterrents
Coprophagia can sometimes be remedied by adding a product to your dog’s food or supplements that make poop unappealing to dogs. These deterrents will help curb the behaviour in time.
Table: Quick Solutions to Stop Coprophagia In Dogs
| Solution | Description |
| Balanced Diet | Ensure the dog is getting all the necessary nutrients. |
| Supervision | Keep an eye on your dog during walks and outdoor time. |
| Deterrents | Use products that make poop unappealing to eat. |
Conclusion
Eating poop is a disgusting habit, although the reasons behind it for dogs are often based on natural instincts to eat things they would not normally have access to, other times, this unwanted behavior may be caused due to behavioral or nutritional needs. Getting to the root of the problem can help you curb this behavior. That’s it for today, folks. See you next time!
