You probably have seen your dog eat grass every so often. Many experts don't exactly know why they do it, but it is just a part of doggie nature. What is unnatural however is when your dog eats another dog's poop or even its own, for that matter. It's disgusting isn't it, especially given that your dog just loves giving you "kisses!" Ugh!
This feces eating behavior has been given an official name - coprophagia. In order to know how to stop this poop eating behavior, you should try and determine the underlying cause for the action. The most common theory about coprophagia is that dogs simply like the taste of feces. Depending on the diet of the animal who left its droppings, dogs can probably detect that in the poop. And if it is the faint scent of something they like, like animal fat, then they are going to eat it.
Feeling anxious or bored are two other possibilities behind coprophagia. They may also remember previous reactions from owners when they eat feces, so they do it again. After all, negative reactions are still a way to garner attention from their owners. Some experts believe that dogs who eat poop may be lacking in a certain vitamin or mineral.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why dogs will eat feces. And if you follow some of the helpful hints below, you just may be able to get your own dog to stop engaging in coprophagia.
1. Designate a pooper scooper in your household to keep your yard maintained. By just picking up your dog's poop in the yard, you greatly reduce the chances of your dog eating excrement, especially his own. Dogs do not like eliminating in a dirty area and will therefore sometimes eat their own poop in order to have a clean place to go.
2. As the dog owner, you should be especially diligent about what your dog eats. Make sure that the dog food he eats has well-balanced nutrition - with enough vitamins and minerals. And whatever you do, do not feed him human food. This may make his feces smell even more appetizing than usual. In addition, be sure to measure the dog food before serving. You don't want to over feed him.
3. Feed your dog twice a day. This way he is less likely to feel deprived of food. If your dog is hungry, he is more liable to eat poop. By splitting his daily allotment of food into two servings, he will less likely turn his attention to the poop in your yard.
4. Any obedience training can be used to keep your dog from eating his feces. The command "off" should work if your dog has learned the command. If not, what are you waiting for? Teach it to him!
5. If your vet diagnosed your dog with a medical condition, ask him if it is possible that it could be the cause of your dog's coprophagia. If so, determine what you can do to resolve your dog's medical problem. Perhaps, by eliminating that problem, your dog will no longer eat poop.
If eating feces concerns you and you are worried about disgusting doggie breath, give your dog a milkbone or a chew bone with mint and other odor destructing ingredients.
