[Kathryn_V]

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Canine Coprophagia

A particularly disturbing thing to see is your own dog eating feces. The term "dog breath" is given a entirely new meaning.

No more kisses from Rover!!

Understanding why this happens can lead to some simple pet health solutions.




Why do dogs eat stools?

While most cases of coprophagia appear to be purely behavioral, there are indeed numerous medical problems that can cause or contribute to coprophagia. These problems must first be ruled out before a purely behavioral diagnosis can be made.

What are some of the medical causes?

Any medical problem that leads to a decrease in absorption of nutrients, causes gastrointestinal upset or causes an increase in the appeal of the dog’s stool, could lead to coprophagia. In addition to a complete physical examination, the puppy’s diet and its stool frequency and consistency should be evaluated. Stool testing for parasites would be the minimum level of testing. If the stool is unusually soft or appears to be poorly digested, additional stool or blood tests may be warranted. Feeding a poorly digestible diet, underfeeding, and medical conditions that decrease absorption such as digestive enzyme deficiencies or parasites, could lead to malnutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and therefore an increased appetite and possibly stool eating. In addition, if the stools contain large amounts of undigested food material, there is an increased likelihood that the puppy would eat the stools.

When adult dogs begin to eat stools, it may also be due to malabsorption of nutrients or nutritional deficiencies. In addition, any condition that might cause an increase in appetite or an unusual appetite, such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease, or treatment with certain drugs such as steroids, may lead to an increase in stool eating. Some dogs that have been placed on a highly restrictive or poorly balanced diet may also begin to eat their stools. It should also be noted that if a dog develops a taste for a particular dog’s stool, that dog should be tested for any type of condition that might lead to poor digestion of the food (and therefore excessive food elements remaining in the stool).



Coprophagia is a common problem in some puppies, which usually clears up by adulthood. There have been many explanations suggested for this behavior. When left unsupervised, puppies may simply begin to investigate, play with, and even eat stools as a playful or investigative activity. Since coprophagia may attract a great deal of owner attention, the behavior may be further reinforced. There may also be an observational component (copy behavior) since the bitch cleans and ingests the puppy’s excrement in the nest, and puppies may learn to mimic the behavior of their mother or playmates who perform this behavior. The owner that uses the outmoded, inhumane and useless training technique of “sticking the dog’s nose” in its stool when it has soiled the home, may be further encouraging coprophagia. In adult dogs the innate behavior of grooming and cleaning newborn puppies and eating their excrement, along with the well documented fact that dogs tend to be attracted to sniff and lick infection or discharge of their pack-mates, may explain some of the motivation for coprophagia. Early intervention can help reduce the possibility that the behavior will become a long-term habit.

Why do dogs eat the stools of other animals?

This behavior is akin to scavenging. It is not unusual for dogs to steal food items, raid garbage cans, and chew on, or eat non-food items that most humans would consider unusual or even disgusting. Cat feces and those of some other animals often have enough appealing attributes (odor, texture, and taste), to overcome the fact that they are stools. In fact, stools themselves are seldom unpleasant to dogs. It is one of the odors that they are constantly attracted to when investigating their environment.


SOLUTIONS

ALTER THE FLAVOUR. Your dog will stop eating feces if it tastes bad (although it already tastes bad). Stool in the back yard or in your cat’s litter box can be spiced with Tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper.

FOR THE DOGS WHO EAT THEIR OWN POOP. Meat tenderizers can be added to your dog’s food; this will help with digestion and make his stool taste horrible. The dose is 1/4 teaspoon per 10lbs of body weight. Another option is to purchase a product from your local veterinarian called For-Bid. It gives waste a taste that your pet will hate.

SUPPLEMENT. Add a vitamin and mineral supplement your pet’s diet, including digestive enzymes. There are a number of types, a popular one is Paaws. Ask your veterinarian or pet supply store for what is available in your area.

DIET. Some dogs will benefit from a diet change. I suggest first trying a quality premium food. If your pet is already eating one, then switch to one of the natural diets such as Innova or California Natural.

REMOVE IT. Remove the stool from your yard so there is no access to it; if it’s not there he can’t eat it.

KEEP HER MOVING. Bored, in-active dogs are more likely to eat stool. Keep your pet active with two 30 minute walks daily. Ensure that she has several interesting toys and rotate her toy selection.

Some products on the market.....
For-Bid Stop stool eating with For-Bid. Sprinkle on food to make stools highly unpalatable so your pet will avoid eating stool, which is known as coprophagy. Vegetable protein and sodium glutamate work in the digestive system to give stools a bad taste. (You would think they would taste bad on their own merit!)

Deter is a safe and effective easy to feed chewable tablet. It is used to stop dogs and puppies from consuming their own feces. Consumption of feces (coprophagia) is a common but disturbing habit in dogs. The cause of this behavior is unknown, but this product is formulated to stop this.