According to a recent survey, about 16% of dogs are serial pooper scooper – eating faeces?
As per Psychology Today, this rather high statistic describes a behaviour that many dog owners find bewildering and disconcerting.
It is hardly possible to remain indifferent when a person notices that a dog eats its own or other animals’ faeces.
This behaviour, referred to as coprophagia, is much more widespread and frequent than one might imagine.
In this guide, let’s discuss what could be causing this behaviour and ways in which you can help your dog stop.
Understanding Coprophagia
Coprophagia is the technical name for the habit whereby a canine consumes his or her faeces. On the basis of clinical presentation, it is most frequently described in dogs, but other animals can be affected too.
To our disgust it is a behaviour that is quite normal in the canine world. Dogs of all ages, from puppies to matured ones have been reported to indulge in coprophagy where they eat their own stool.
First, it should be understood that consuming faeces is not a typical behaviour and it is always important to look for medical reasons why a dog might be doing this. Knowledge of the source of the problem enables one to come up with a proper solution with the assistance of a veterinary specialists.
Medical Causes Of Coprophagia
As much as it is possible for coprophagia to be behavioural it is always important to check for medical causes.
Several health conditions can lead to this behaviour:
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Dogs consume faeces if their food supply is inadequate in terms of nutrients to meet the animal’s requirements.
- Malabsorption Syndromes: Certain dogs have been known to have issues with their intestines and/or stomach so they practically can’t break down foods they take.
- Parasitic Infections: Well, it should be noted that increased hunger and poop-eating can occur as the result of the presence of intestinal parasites.
- Endocrine Disorders: Such factors as diabetes, thyroid disorder, and so on affect appetite and may cause the same to rise.
- Enzyme Deficiencies: Thus, some dogs are born with congenital enzyme deficiency to properly digest foods.
To diagnose these issues, a thorough physical examination, stool analysis, and blood tests may be necessary. It’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to rule out these medical causes before addressing coprophagia as a behavioural problem.
Behavioural Causes Of Coprophagia
In many instances, coprophagia is a behavioural problem, particularly in puppies. While most puppies grow out of the behaviour when they reach adulthood, some continue it well through their adult life.
Following are some common behavioural causes:
- Curiosity and Playfulness: Puppies by nature are curious creatures and may try eating dung. Should this behaviour elicit attention from the owners, they will persist in doing so.
- Coping Behaviour: Puppies frequently learn from their mother or other dogs to clean and eat faeces when nesting.
- Faulty Training Methods: Dog owners inadvertently encourage the behaviour of coprophagia by training their dogs to toilet by pushing their noses in their stool.
- Instinctual Behaviour: Adults sometimes engage in stool eating as an instinctual behaviour while grooming and cleaning their young ones.
Why Does My Dog Eat Cat Poop?
This is quite common behaviour in dogs, especially the consumption of cat faeces. Such behaviour is attributed to the fact that a dog is basically a scavenger. The faeces of some animals, particularly those that have odorous or differences or those that contain undigested food, appeal to dogs.
Remember, what we find disgusting might prove to be the most interesting thing to dogs. Specifically, cat faeces may contain a high protein content and are therefore even more desirable to dogs.
How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop?
Once the underlying cause has been identified, there are several strategies to prevent and manage coprophagia:
- Dietary Adjustments:
- Make sure the diet your dog is on is a good, well balanced diet for him/her.
- Perhaps, it is the right time to introduce the use of digestive enzyme supplements to their foods.
- Adopt a diet that will have more fibre content in their diets, because it enhances the digestion process.
- Environmental Management:
- Pick up your dog’s faeces as soon as it has finished its bowel movement.
- You should hide litter boxes from cats if at all you have some in your compound.
- Make sure that your dog is always supervised when outside so that he will not get in contact with faeces.
- Behavioural Modification:
- When working with food, occasionally make an effort and teach your dog to respond to the ‘leave it’ cue.
- For mental exercise make use of the puzzle toys and playtime exercises.
- Your dog should not be bored so make sure you exercise it within the recommended amount of time.
- Deterrents:
- Which can be added to the dog’s food, or commercial products that make the dog faeces have an unpleasant taste.
- However, these should be used under the supervision of the veterinarian.
- Positive Reinforcement:
- Reward appropriate elimination behaviour in your dog.
- Lucky for you, it is not safe to punish your dog for practising coprophagia for it only worsens if the dog is under stress.
The Confusion Of When To Seek Veterinary Help?
If the coprophagia problem stays unresolved even after these tactics are applied, then sitting down with a health care provider is crucial. One should consult with a veterinarian or an animal behaviourist for specific recommendations and assignments of a detailed management program.
Long-term Health Implications
While coprophagia is generally not harmful to dogs, it can lead to health issues if left unaddressed:While coprophagia is generally not harmful to dogs, it can lead to health issues if left unaddressed:
- Parasitic infections: Dogs become infected with parasites also by ingesting contaminated faecal matter.
- Gastrointestinal upset: When one consumes faecal matter, vomiting and diarrhoea are some of the results that are likely to be observed.
- Dental problems: Some bacteria arising from the faecal matter are related to dental disease.
Take Action To Help Your Dog Stop Eating Poop
If your dog has begun eating its faeces, then that is a situation needing urgent attention. Be it a medical or behavioural problem, professional guidance may prove very effective. Bring your worries to SAI Veterinary Hospital, and see how our experts can help in gaining a better understanding and handling it with effectiveness.
We can do complete medical evaluations, give dietary recommendations, and provide individually behavioural suggestions that will make sure your dog stays healthy and happy. So don’t hesitate to get professional advice at any time. Your pet’s well-being is uppermost in our minds—free to reach out today for compassionate care.
