You WON'T BELIEVE why do DOGS eat POOP. Find out HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG eating poop FOREVER! Don't forget to SUSBCRIBE to our CHANNEL to get more valuable TIPS.
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▶︎ Why Dogs Eat Poop
The reasons why some dogs eat feces are not entirely known, but there are a few theories.
▶︎ Natural Behavior
Mother dogs instinctively lick their pups clean. This includes ingesting their feces. This normal maternal behavior keeps the pups and their environment clean.
Many puppies will begin to eat feces at a young age. Some pups grow out of this normal behavior while others continue this into adulthood.
Eating the feces of other species is also considered natural behavior. If you have a cat, you may notice that your dog cannot stay away from the litter box. Most dogs love the taste of cat poop. Perhaps this is because of the high-protein diets of cats.
▶︎ Hunger and Food Obsession
A dog suffering from starvation or severe malnutrition might eat anything it can find. Some dogs, though well-nourished, are hungry all the time (this may be a sign of illness or simply the personality of the dog). Many dogs are completely obsessed with food and will ingest anything that tastes good to them.
Unfortunately, many dogs seem to like the taste of feces (especially cat poop). Some people claim that dogs eat feces when they are lacking something in their diets. Most veterinarians say that this is not the case.
▶︎ Illness
Certain diseases and illnesses can cause a dog to eat feces. A symptom of some diseases is increased appetite or ingestion of inappropriate items (called pica). An illness that changes the consistency or smell of the stool might make a dog want to eat his own stool. Sudden onset of coprophagia calls for a veterinary exam.
Some dogs with dementia and other brain diseases have been known to start eating stool. This may be due to the confusion and disorientation caused by the disease.
▶︎ Anxiety, Fear, and Stress
A dog in fear or under a great deal of stress may eat his own stool. This may be a kind of self-soothing mechanism in some cases. However, if a dog is punished for inappropriate defecation or other action related to feces, he may associate the punishment with the presence of feces. By eating the feces, he is removing the "evidence" to avoid punishment.
▶︎ What Are the Risks of Dogs Eating Feces?
If a dog eats his own stool, it generally poses little danger to that dog. However, bacteria and parasites from that stool can possibly be transmitted to humans and other animals through contact with the dog's mouth and saliva. If you are unable to keep your dog from eating feces, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly if you are in contact with your dog's mouth/saliva.
When a dog eats the feces of another animal (especially another dog or a cat), he is at risk for ingesting the eggs of intestinal parasites and potentially harmful bacteria that can easily lead to illness. A dog that is known to eat the feces of other animals should have a fecal analysis by your veterinarian frequently.
Perhaps the worst effect of a dog eating poop is the foul breath you have to smell. Home dental care can help the breath, but it's ideal to prevent stool-eating altogether.
▶︎ How Can I Stop My Dog From Eating Poop?
Once you have ruled out medical problems as a cause for the coprophagia, you are left with addressing the behavior. It can be difficult to address because stool-eating is considered a self-rewarding behavior.
First and foremost, make sure your yard is kept free of animal waste. Pick up your dog's stool as soon as possible after defecation. In the case of dogs that try to eat their own feces during or immediately after defecation, you must be on high alert. Keep your dog on the leash when defecating. If his attention goes to the feces, immediately turn his attention to you (try teaching the "look" command). Reward him for paying attention to you, then immediately pick up the feces and discard it. Another helpful command at this time is "leave it."
One more method to prevent coprophagia is to add something to your dog's diet that makes the stool taste bad to the dog. These products will not work for all dogs, but it will generally not harm your dog to try (as long as your dog is not allergic to any of the ingredients). Be sure to choose a product that is labeled for dogs, such as "For-Bid" or "Deter." Ask your veterinarian about the safest and most effective products to prevent poop-eating dogs.
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