Why does my dog eat its own poo,its a scotish highland terrier aged 10weeks just had its injections any ideas?
Answers:
By Theresa A. Fuess, Ph.D.
Information Specialist
University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine
Some dogs can't resist a tasty morsel of feces. These dogs will eat their own excrement or
that of another dog. Some prefer horse feces, others cat feces. Frozen feces are popular in
the winter time. Why do dogs do this?
In the past it was believed that feces eating, also known as coprophagia, was caused by
either poor diet or poor health. However, this theory is not supported by current research.
"Behavioral research has discounted the idea that it is a dietary deficiency or a pancreatic
enzyme deficiency," says Dr. Jo Ann Eurell, a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist at
the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dogs are historically scavengers,
and this is believed to be a scavenger behavior.
"It is important for dog owners to know that this behavior is normal for a mother dog with
pups," adds Dr. Eurell. Newborn pups must learn to urinate and defecate. The mother
teaches the pups by licking their bottoms. The pups respond to this "tickle" by urinating and
defecating. The mother then consumes the pups' excrement, which serves two protective
purposes: it keeps the den area clean and it removes smells that could attract a predator.
Some pups learn this behavior from their mothers and will stimulate themselves and
consume their own feces. Most pups stop by the time they are weaned.
It is more difficult to understand why adult dogs eat feces. Some dogs will learn this
behavior from other dogs. In some cases, eating feces may be an attention-seeking
behavior. For some dogs it is possibly due to anxiety or boredom. Most often the
motivation for eating feces is just not known.
Owners find this habit in their pet disgusting -- particularly when the consumed feces are
thrown up all over the new carpet. In addition to being socially unacceptable, eating feces
exposes the dog to parasites and diseases. So, what is a dog owner to do?
"Eating feces is a problem that is easier to prevent than to cure," says Dr. Eurell. "Don't
allow the opportunity to arise. Keep the dog's yard clean by disposing of feces promptly.
Move the cat box out of the dog's reach. If cleaning the outdoor area is not feasible, then
keep the dog on a leash or use a muzzle when outside."
There are some "cures" that have been used with limited success. Punishment generally only
works in the early stages, before the behavior becomes habitual. Feeding the dog MSG,
garlic, or pumpkin is believed to give feces a bad taste, making it less attractive to the dog.
Other products can be applied to the feces directly; however, dogs are very perceptive and
can probably distinguish between tainted and untainted feces.
The best solution is to supervise the dog and not let it develop the habit. If you would like
further information about this behavior, contact your local veterinarian.(Hope this is helpful)
It is looking for neutrients. Tell it off in a deep voice and then give it a small treat.
Maybe it is preferable to dog food
Ask the dog food manufacturers to make a new flavour!
I had an alsation that did the same and was told it was some vitamin it was lacking.
Dogs eat poo because they are either bored or nutritionally missing something. take him to the vet and make sure everything is okay and get a recommendation for a better brand of dog food.- Make sure he has lots of toys around to play with.
It is normal for puppies to eat their poo, and practically anything! Don't worry about it too much. Try and let him know that it is bad.
Bless, he's cleaning up after himself! Be grateful you have modern plumbing and don't have to do the same thing!
It's just a dog thing. All you can do is scoop it up before the puppy goes back outside again. It's always amazing to me that they are fussy about food but will eat what they leave in the yard, and also happily clean out the kitty litter box for you.
pups do that so don't worry, just don't let it, what is really sick is my older brother used to do it. yes, eat his own sh!t from his nappy.
Most dogs will do this. I have a 10 mos old Yorkie and he was doing it for a while but I scolded him whenever I caught him. He didn't eat his own, just other dogs. It probably won't hurt them but try to keep him from doing it. I think they can get parasites from it. Some people here will probably suggest something that you can put in his food so that the poo will be distasteful. Good Luck.
YEAH! Take him 2 the vet! Or my other advice is to clean up the poo before he can get to it!
My dog is a poodle and does the same thing. I asked the vet and they said that other than being gross to us, it does the dog no harm and sometimes they grow out of it. Mine has yet to do so and the pills did not help.
It is usually a vitamin imbalance. Try taking it to the vet, and putting it on better food, I would recommend Hill's Science Diet or Nutro. If you see it doing it again, tell it no in a harsh voice, and give it a treat when it stops.
Either boredom or lacking in vitamins. Take him to the vets to get it checked out.
I THINK ALL DOGS GO THROUGH A STAGE OF THIS BUT SOME GROW OUT OF IT SOME DONT JUST TELL HIM OFF AND HOPEFULLY HE WILL GET THE IDEA,
he will grow out of it
hi sounds like he needs worming good luck :)
my westie had a wee munch on his own poo but he soon stopped when he realised he could share my dinner !now the wee bugger refuses to eat anything but chicken breast ,steak ,liver or mince and no cheap mince steak mince only . oh aye he likes duck too! dog meat?? you should see the look on his face when i put that down for him
take yer wee westie to the vet if you are that worried he will sort you out he is too young to take any chances
hi there i have a jack rusell puppy well now she is 16 months ol and my dog still eats her own poo now and then so i took her to the vets and they told me it was the foo i was giving her you knowlike titbits so i stopped giving her titsbits and it seem to have worked but they also say it can be stress try feeding your puppy chappie tined dog food hope this has helped you liked it had helped me
hi i have 2 rottys and they also both use to do it but they dont now ive wormed them both and it is a calcium problem you need to get him/her to the vets but he will problem tell you to give him somethink with calcium in it for him/her its nothink to worry about those. all dogs will do this how many times do you feed him/her i feed my dogs twice a day if he is only a pup i would feed him 3 times a day pick the poo up before he goes out there.also have you wormed the dog if not try worming him/her as worms eat all the food you give to your puppy so the food you give to your pup the puppy aint geting it the worms get all the food so your dog will still be hungry so try worming her you can get them from your localy vet or pet shop try to get the all in 1 wormers they will work this is what i do with my rottys and there pups hope this is ok good luck and dont worry
This is normal thing for puppies to do! Dogs usually grow out of it. My labs both did this as puppies but when I raised it at puppy training was amazed at how many other people had the same problem. They are trying to get certain vitamins etc from it - supplement meals with veg if you can and pull the dog away with a sharp "no!" when tries to do the act! Both my dogs grew out of it within a few months.
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