{"id":3855,"date":"2018-05-22T10:54:26","date_gmt":"2018-05-22T09:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/?p=3855"},"modified":"2023-07-27T15:45:30","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T14:45:30","slug":"why-do-dogs-eat-poop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/why-do-dogs-eat-poop\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do dogs eat poo?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all love to see our dogs enthusiastically tucking in to something they enjoy eating \u2013 except perhaps when it\u2019s poo. <\/span><\/p>\n

Our Head Vet Sean explains why eating poo is a natural thing for puppies to do, but why it\u2019s important to tackle if your dog is older. He\u2019s also got some top tips to help you stop this off-putting habit once and for all.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes dogs to eat poo?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Despite how we might feel about it, eating poo can actually be comforting or rewarding for our dogs. They might eat their own, or another animal\u2019s poo because:<\/span><\/p>\n

1) They\u2019re copying mum<\/span><\/h3>\n

A mother dog eats her litter\u2019s poo to keep their environment clean. When puppies see mum doing it, they often start doing it too.<\/span><\/p>\n

2)<\/span> Competition <\/span><\/h3>\n

Young puppies compete for food with their littermates. They\u2019ll rush to eat anything they see before their brothers and sisters get to it \u2013 often scoffing down some poo in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

3)<\/span> Boredom<\/span><\/h3>\n

Just like humans, puppies eat when they\u2019re bored. If the only \u2018food\u2019 available is the perfectly snack-sized poo they did earlier, they\u2019ll happily eat that.<\/span><\/p>\n

4)<\/span> Instinct<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dogs are natural scavengers \u2013 they\u2019ll eat anything that\u2019s a potential source of nutrients. It\u2019s an age old survival practice passed down from wolves, who are happy to tuck into the poo of herbivores \u2013 busting the theory that wolves and dogs are only meant to eat meat. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5)<\/span> Hunger<\/span><\/h3>\n

If your dog\u2019s sufficiently hungry, they\u2019ll eat anything. Including \u2013 you guessed it \u2013 poo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Why<\/p>\n

Does this mean my dog is deficient in something?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You might have heard dogs eat poo because they\u2019re looking for nutrients they\u2019re not getting enough of in their diet. But this isn\u2019t often true. Dogs eat poo for all sorts of reasons \u00a0\u2013 few of them nutritional. So if there\u2019s nothing else to make you think they aren\u2019t getting the right balance of nutrients, you don\u2019t need to make any changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the effects of my dog eating poo?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Eating poo isn\u2019t something you immediately need to visit the vet about. But it\u2019s worth bearing in mind that faeces can contain nasties that can make your dog \u2013 and your family \u2013 very unwell. The main reasons to <\/span>stop your dog eating poo<\/span>\u00a0are:<\/span><\/p>\n

1)<\/span> Germs<\/span><\/h3>\n

The bacteria in poo can play havoc with your dog\u2019s digestive system \u2013 vomiting and diarrhoea are common consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n

If those germs transfer to you, it\u2019s a similarly unpleasant story \u2013 and those nasty bacteria are even more dangerous to children. If your dog has a taste for poo, say no to doggy kisses \u2013 especially on the face \u2013 and be even more diligent about washing your hands before eating.<\/span><\/p>\n

2)<\/span> Parasites<\/span><\/h3>\n

Poo can contain parasites that are all-too eager to set up home in your dog\u2019s digestive tract. Worms are the most common one. If your dog has a tendency to eat poo, keep these unwanted pests at bay with regular worming treatments \u2013 ask your vet to recommend one that\u2019s best for your dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can I stop my dog eating poo?<\/span><\/h2>\n

While eating poo is a normal part of puppy life, most dogs grow out of it by the time they\u2019re six months old. If your dog keeps it up beyond this, try these tips to help them kick the habit.<\/span><\/p>\n

1)<\/span> Stay calm<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you run after your dog every time they track down some \u2018tasty\u2019 poo, you accidentally turn the situation into a game your dog will love \u2013 and want to play more often.<\/span><\/p>\n

2)<\/span> Remove the opportunity<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pick up your dog\u2019s poo right away, so they never get a chance to even think about eating it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3)<\/span> Keep their mind active<\/span><\/h3>\n

If your dog is eating it out of boredom or frustration, you can cut down the habit simply by giving their brain other things to think about. Keep them occupied with toys and regular exercise, and try to avoid leaving them alone for long periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

4)<\/span> Check their portion sizes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Could your dog just be hungry? Check the recommended serving size of their food to make sure you\u2019re giving them <\/span>the right amount<\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5)<\/span> Change the taste<\/span><\/h3>\n

As off-putting as it seems to us, dogs like the taste of poo. Change the taste and you take all the fun away.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your dog\u2019s own poo is the problem, try adding a few pineapple chunks to their dinner. Compounds in this tropical fruit make poo taste bitter and unappetising to dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your dog is eating other animals\u2019 waste, changing the flavour is a bit trickier, but can still be done. Here\u2019s how. <\/span><\/p>\n