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09-28-2010, 11:04 PM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker | Pica and Coprophagia Hi everyone Im hoping someone can shed some light on an issue I have. I have noticed that my youngest Yorkie who is 6 months has started to eat poop. I know that sounds gross, and to us as humans it is. He seems to eat the older females poop not his own. I have wondered if it is just him being dominant or if it is indeed Coprophagia. Both my dogs seems to try and chew and ingest a lot of things they should not and that do not have a nice taste Im sure. The other day it was Charcoal they were chewing and swallowing which I of course removed from them ASAP and made sure there was none lying around. I often catch the female eating potting soil as well. I have tried my level best to make sure there is nothing lying around that shouldnt be. I have disciplined them and told them "No" but they still do it. their kennel outside is always full of stones and anything that they can find. and when I catch them with something in their mouths that they shouldnt have they often try and "escape" from me to hang on to it. I know Coprophagia is serious and so is Pica, but what do I do about it? do they need a vet exam to find the cause? I have done online research but I know the vets are the best people to talk to. Im worried they choke when im not there or eat something that could poison them. I have only seen my male pick up a piece of Poop once and he dashed over to bring it to me before trying to eat it. once he realised I was going to get rid of it he did everything he could to get it back. could he simply be looking for attention? He LOVES to eat and I have had to put him on a strict eating plan to make sure he gets all the nutrients he needs but doesnt gorge himself. my dogs are 2 opposites of each other...one loves to eat and the other is picky. but they both try and eat non-food items that they find. is it boredom? is it lack of nutrients? I know neither one of them is ever hungry and im particularly fussy about what they eat and how much and when etc. I try and do everything the right way with them. I know as a human it is weird to see a dog try and eat poop, and I would rather try and discourage this behaviour now. I work during the day but they are exercised daily and have plenty of toys to keep them occupied as well as chew toys and treats. any suggestions?
__________________ Kristin, Taylor & Trigger |
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09-29-2010, 10:50 AM | #2 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 109
| I am having the same problem with my two.....7 and 8 months old. They eat EVERYTHING or try to!!!!!!! Paint, wood, base boards, wallpaper, dryer sheets, puppy pads, phone cords, feathers (from my pillows), and Jax started eating poop. They have both been to the vet and have had blood work...for other reasons...and everything was normal. The vet said that they are like babies...they put everything in their mouth whether it tastes good or not
__________________ Mommy to Jax and Molly girl |
09-29-2010, 11:18 AM | #3 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| They need to be crated or gated in a very safe area when you can't watch them. Do they try to eat their beds and dishes? The major medical problem that causes coprophagia is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This is not common in Yokries; and if they are gaining weight/maintaining weight well, it is very unlikely. Liver issues are a concern in Yorkies with pica, but since they are both doing it, it sounds behavioral. Of course the right thing to do is have bloodwork done on both, but it's probably a matter of training. You can give the one whose poop is getting eaten some pineapple or a product from your vet, etc. That will likely fix the problem. What are you feeding?
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
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