[pauline67]

my i have caught my five month old staff bitch eating her faeces she has also not been eating her dog food much

[Elsiebar]

Occasionally dogs will eat their own faeces if they have a potassium deficiency. If you try her with a little bit of banana and she seems super keen on it that may be the cause. Have a chat with your vet if so and they can recommend treatment and management.
It may even mean she has another vitamin deficiency, but your vet will run a blood test. These are both easily treatable, but always get professional advice before giving your dog any supplements.

Good luck.

Elsiebar,
Dog lover and dog mama for 20 years.

[CorkyMax]

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Found This on the Net:
YUCK, my dog eats his poo......why is he doing this and will this harm him?

There are several reasons why feces are attractive to dogs. The first is the fact that they are full of bacteria, which help in food digestion. These are missing in commercial processed foods. They are also high in B vitamins, which some dogs may crave. They do have some digestive enzymes in them too which again, processed foods lack. This is why bitches lick puppies all over, it is actually helpful to get some of this to the puppies mouth.

Eating stool won't harm a dog, but it does offend us humans! It can also become a habit, which will slow in time if either a raw diet is fed, or supplement with a full spectrum digestive enzyme, beneficial bacteria (such as probiotic powder) and B vitamin. And of course, remove the stools religiously from your yard!




Just found this on the net, the person contributing this hint is someone who does articles for a site. She should know if there would be ingredients in this that would be bad for the dog--and I don't have any meat tenderizer on hand to check out what all it contains--Don't know if there are variations in what could be in this so I would stick to a plain pkg or make sure and check the ingredient content!!! I would not use any that was flavored with onion or garlic (If there is such a variety) Just want to make sure this is safe to give a dog so check it out! Here is the hint:
Add Adolph’s meat tenderizer: Adolph’s meat tenderizer contains an enzyme that may improve digestion and give stools a taste dogs find objectionable. Dogs under 15 pounds can take one-quarter teaspoon of Adolph’s with every meal.

Give dogs 15 to 30 pounds one-half teaspoon. Dogs weighing 31 to 50 pounds can take three-quarters teaspoon, and dogs over 50 pounds can take one teaspoon.

As 'hinted' at in the 1st sentence (or 2nd) at beginning of my post----Maybe you need better dog food--What are you feeding? You also stated that your dog doesn't want to eat its dog food---maybe the dog knows this dog food is not very nutritional!?

[Woolsy]

It is really offending for us humans to see our dogs eating their own poo. What about eating their regurgitated food?

I had this question in mind since I became a member here but I'm afraid that it is a weird topic that members would not address this. Now I got the chance to ask this, thanks to the question of pauline.

[Todd]

Here is a list I found regarding 20 reasons why dogs eat poop (my tips are in bold);

Why Dogs Eat Poop: 20 Reasons

1. Your dog might be hungry. If your dog doesn't have access to food, he might eat poop. (what type of food do you feed? Maybe he doesn't like it and eats poop instead)

2. Some dogs will eat poop to clean up an area like a housekeeper. This is most likely if your dog is confined to a crate or kennel, or when he's chained up or otherwise restricted. He's taking care of his space. (is there any specific place where he eats the poop most often?)

3. If your dog likes to carry poop, and then eat it, it could be genetics. Some dogs have instincts to carry stuff in their mouths.

4. Your dog might be eating poop because of parasites or worms. They can suck nutrients out of your dog, driving him to eat poop. It might also leave him extra hungry because of the lack of proper fuel. (have you had him checked for worms?)

5. Your dog might be eating cat poop or other animal poop to get key nutrients and minerals not available in his own food. (what food are you feeding him? Lack of food or low quality foods could cause this lack of vitamins and minerals)

6. Some dogs will simply eat poop to pass the time. Dogs will eat poop because they are bored or lonely. It can be a sign of neglect. (does he get enough attention/exercise? is he left alone a lot?)

7. Your dog might eat poop because he's anxious, nervous or otherwise upset. Stress will drive animals to do odd things. (does he seem stressed?)

8. Some dogs will eat poop to hide the evidence. If you punish your dog for pooping, he might eat it to stop you from getting angry. (have you punished him for pooping lately or did this habit come into play when he was being potty trained?)

9. If your dog has puppies, she might eat puppy poop. This is an instinct to hide the poop from predators. Poop is evidence. Getting ride of it keeps her puppies safe. (at 5 months this probably isn't an issue)

10. Some young dogs and puppies will eat poop as a novelty. That is, they'll eat poop as an experiment. They don't know better. (could very well be the case. He may merely grow out of it)

11. If your dog watches you pick up poop, he might learn to do the same. This is called allelomimetic behavior. Your dog observes you and learns from you, by putting the poop in his mouth you put poop in a bag. (do you pick up poop in front of him?)

12. Your dog might see others dogs eating poop. From this, they learn to eat poop too. (has he seen other dogs eat poop? if so, just ask him, "would you jump off a bridge in everyone else did?" Pay no attention to his sarcastic answer!)

13. Many dogs simply like the taste of poop. This obviously doesn't make sense to dog owners but that's irrelevant. Some dog like to eat it and that's that. It's warm, moist, and very much like what your dog was given as a very young puppy. (gross but very true)



14. If your dog food lacks key nutrients, he might eat poop. Your dog is trying to get "food" with nutrients any way possible, even from his own poop. (again, what brand are you feeding him? It could be too low quality for his needs)

15. Sometimes dog poop seems like dog food. This can happen when dog food is low quality and includes materials that are easily passed and not absorbed by your dog. When the dog poops, it seems to be very much like the food he just consumed! (key word is "low quality". These types of food come right out the other end and still smells like food, although if he doesn't seem to enjoy his food this probably isn't the case)

16. In some cases, dogs will eat poop if they are given too much food. This is especially true if your dog's diet is high in fat. (not the case in your circumstance)

17. Some dogs will eat poop to gain attention. Many dog owners get very upset when their dog eats poop, which means the dog gets attention. This is a wonderful opportunity for your dog to interact with you, although it is because of negative attention. (could this be the answer??? Spiteful little rat!)

18. It is possible that some dogs will eat the poop of other, more dominant dogs. Your dog might be more submissive than other dogs, resulting in strange poop eating behavior. This seems to occur more in households with multiple dogs where dominance and submission is a factor. Obviously this doesn't explain much about dogs eating cat poop or other animal poop. (is he your only dog? Does he only eat his own poop or other dog's too?)

19. It is possible that your dog wants to eat more than one time per day. If you only feed your dog once per day, and your dog eats poop, it could be an indication they want to eat more frequently. (maybe try feeding more often. How often are you feeding now?)

20. In some cases, your dog will eat poop by accident. Dogs are curious and will try to eat almost anything, including poop. Dogs explore the world through taste and smell, much more than humans. (doubt this is the case if he does it frequently)

Now, the products I'm about to recommend are not permanent cures. The cure lies within the reasons above and resolving them. This will work for the short term though or if he eats the poop for reasons unrelated to nutritional deficiencies. Note that these methods only apply for dogs who eat their own poop like yours;

Add two to four tablespoons of canned pumpkin to the food bowl each day. Pumpkin apparently tastes good in food, but repugnant when expelled in excrement.

Add a spoon (teaspoon or tablespoon depending on the dog's size) of canned pineapple, pineapple juice or spinach to the dog's food.

Add some meat tenderizer or MSG to the dog's food.

Coat stools, following elimination, with hot sauce or lemon juice. Or booby trap sample stools by penetrating some left in the yard with hot sauce.

Finally, here are some other methods in solving the issue;

* Change the dog's diet. Buy or prepare only nutritious, quality food that is formulated for the dog's age, breed and any medical issues.

* For the dog who may be hungry, try feeding him a little more, and make sure you feed a quality, nutritious food that is appropriate for the age and type of canine.

* Take the dog to your veterinarian for an examination for underlying medical and health problems, parasites and other problems that may be compelling him to eat feces.

* Clean up after your pet, right after he goes - before he has a chance to eat his poop. Stopping access is one key to stopping this habit.

* Walk the dog on leash so that you are in a better position to tell the dog 'leave it' and to physically keep the dog from trying to sniff and eat stools. Always praise your dog for listening. You can also reinforce the verbal praise with tidbits carried in a pouch.

* As soon as the dog starts approaching excrement, tell her 'nah-ah-ahhh' or 'leave it!', and distract her with praise supported with a treat, clicker click, playtime or other action or activity that is appealing to the dog. This will convey the idea that it is more rewarding to attend to you than to attend to poop. As soon as she turns her attention to her, praise her ('Good dog!') and reward her. A wise practice is to always carry appealing tidbit treats, a favorite toy, clicker - something you can always use to effectively gain your dog's attention and reinforce desired behaviors. Once you get her attention, give her something positive to do. For example, tell her to 'Sit', reward her for listening, then proceed to an enjoyable activity such as playing or walking together. Distract her from undesired things like feces, and substitute a good, desired behavior such as sitting and attending to you. A dog who is interacting with her owner can't be investigating poop at the same time.

* If the dog is defecating in the house, the dog needs to be fed and walked on a schedule that allows her to eliminate before the owner leaves her alone for the day and before bedtime. The dog also may need housetraining help. Teach the dog instead of punishing her; this is the sensible and effective approach. Also, visit the vet to see if a medical condition is the underlying cause of the dog eliminating indoors.

* If a pup or dog is pooping in his crate, make sure he gets more exercise and has the chance to eliminate before placing him in his crate. Also, read about crate training. Dogs naturally do not like to poop or urinate in their living quarters, so a dog who potties in the crate needs you to help crate-train him properly ... and perhaps a trip to the vet to rule out medical problems that may underlie an inability to 'hold it' for a few hours. However, also realize that pups can't physically hold their elimination for more than one to three hours, and that it is not healthy or kind to crate adult dogs for more than 5 to 6 hours a day. Take the time to properly train your dog so that he can be left alone in the house, in a pet-safe area instead of confined in a crate.

Good Luck!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Woolsy

It is really offending for us humans to see our dogs eating their own poo. What about eating their regurgitated food?

I had this question in mind since I became a member here but I'm afraid that it is a weird topic that members would not address this. Now I got the chance to ask this, thanks to the question of pauline.

More than likely this amounts to the same reasons given on the poo question and prob. some of the same things to do about it! And what kind of dog food do you feed? Does he regurgitate/throw up a lot!? If so --maybe he needs to be checked out by a vet or maybe his dog food doesn't agree with him?

[Todd]

as far as vomit goes, it is probably accountable for poop eating resons which was already said, but is most likely just because it is food coming back out. To your dog, it looks like food, feels like food, and most importantly tastes like food But i agree, if he regularly vomits I'd take him to see a vet or even start another thread or post here describing your situation in more detail.

[Wolfheart]

Originally Posted by pauline67

my i have caught my five month old staff bitch eating her faeces she has also not been eating her dog food much

Once dogs get a taste for this, its hard to break them of it.

There are two things you can try:

1) a product called Dis-taste for dogs, it really works.

2) Clean up RIGHT AFTER she goes, and she will lose a taste for it.

Good luck!

[rayter]

Boredom can also cause dogs to do all sorts of things, including eat feces. Toys and treats can help with lots of boredom-based problems.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by rayter

Boredom can also cause dogs to do all sorts of things, including eat feces. Toys and treats can help with lots of boredom-based problems.

I am glad my dogs don't eat poop. They eat better than we do and I buy toys by the bulk. I did see Buster snacking in the cat box once. After I dumped some Dave's insanity sauce in there, it stopped.

[Lara's mom]

My 4 month old Shorty JRT has a taste for cat turds. He stalks the litter box any time he thinks I'm not looking, hoping "to get lucky." He forgets that mothers have eyes in the back of their heads...Even so, he sometimes manages to sneak one when my attention is diverted elsewhere.

I paid $50.00 CDN for these packets of powder called Forbid which, believe it or not, is supposed to make the turds taste bad. So, as I'm handing over $50.00, I'm wondering to myself just how much worse crap could actually taste than it already must. I just couldn't wrap my head around that one...

Anyway, just on the offside chance that my Lance decided to expand on his culinary genius, I sprinkled that powder on everybody's food. Lance did not graduate to scarfing dog turds but, his addiction to cat turds didn't diminish either.

Finally, one member suggested that I was perhaps going about it the wrong way. Now, I follow the cat every time she meanders into the bathroom, poop scoop in hand to immediately remove the offending delicacy before Lance gets a chance to swipe one. That is the way I finally solved my problem with this issue. The dog cannot eat turds that aren't there.

I don't know if other members who have encountered this problem have had success with this kind of medication but, for me it was a complete waste of money. I now diligently practice what I call, "Turdis Interruptis." If you pick up immediately after the dog goes, he won't be able to indulge his particular culinary delight and will hopefully eventually lose the taste for them. I'm still waiting for that particular blessing...

[elle]

My puppy would do the same, what i would suggest is to pick up droppings straight away, or have nice doggie treats in your pocket and after puppy poos call the puppy to you straight away and give puppy treat, this will teach puppy to come back to you after going to the toilet. Good luck !

[Lara's mom]

I know of one person who's dog will eat any turd he comes across. Her solution was to put a nylon muzzle on the dog when they are out walking or in the park. It works but, it looks a little funny because the dog in question is tiny. The dog is one of those little things that has the colouring of a doberman and the size of a chi.

[cigwyllt]

If your dog is eating his own poo - if you swoop to pick it up the moment he does it he might feel it is a valuable resource and try to compete for it with you. You might be better off distracting him and then picking it up while he isn't watching.

[Lara's mom]

My life would be so much easier if Lance ate his own poop. I could just scoop it up immediately and it would be "case closed." Unfortunately, his passion is cat turds so, I don't always know when the cat sneaks into the litter. I have promised myself that once this current cat goes to the Rainbow Bridge, there will be no more cats!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

My 4 month old Shorty JRT has a taste for cat turds. He stalks the litter box any time he thinks I'm not looking, hoping "to get lucky." He forgets that mothers have eyes in the back of their heads...Even so, he sometimes manages to sneak one when my attention is diverted elsewhere.

I paid $50.00 CDN for these packets of powder called Forbid which, believe it or not, is supposed to make the turds taste bad. So, as I'm handing over $50.00, I'm wondering to myself just how much worse crap could actually taste than it already must. I just couldn't wrap my head around that one...

Anyway, just on the offside chance that my Lance decided to expand on his culinary genius, I sprinkled that powder on everybody's food. Lance did not graduate to scarfing dog turds but, his addiction to cat turds didn't diminish either.

Finally, one member suggested that I was perhaps going about it the wrong way. Now, I follow the cat every time she meanders into the bathroom, poop scoop in hand to immediately remove the offending delicacy before Lance gets a chance to swipe one. That is the way I finally solved my problem with this issue. The dog cannot eat turds that aren't there.

I don't know if other members who have encountered this problem have had success with this kind of medication but, for me it was a complete waste of money. I now diligently practice what I call, "Turdis Interruptis." If you pick up immediately after the dog goes, he won't be able to indulge his particular culinary delight and will hopefully eventually lose the taste for them. I'm still waiting for that particular blessing...

As far as your dog eating cat turds goes, have you ever tried one of those dome-like pieces to put over the box? This would make it more of an issue for the dog to stick its head in there and eat the turds.

[CorkyMax]

I just recently read somewhere why some dogs prefer the cat turds. A cat's diet has more protein (meat) and the dog relishes that! Don't remember whether the article said the dog needed more protein or that it just like it better. Could be both I suppose.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

I just recently read somewhere why some dogs prefer the cat turds. A cat's diet has more protein (meat) and the dog relishes that! Don't remember whether the article said the dog needed more protein or that it just like it better. Could be both I suppose.

Mine eat kitty roca anytime they can get into the litter boxes which are covered and it has nothing to do with lack of meat or protein in their own diets. The cat food I use is not laced with meats so that is only an assumption not fact. Mine do it just because it is something to eat in general which is what dogs do, they just eat to eat. No secret reasons..
Besides, having 11 cats offers the dogs a wide variety of litter boxes to choose from. If they can actually squirm to get into them. A cover is not a solution. If the dog can get it head into the hole, it can get the kitty roca. Putting the entrance near a wall helps because if makes it difficult for the dog to get to the opening. Cats are more contortionists and can still gain access easily.

[Lara's mom]

Lance is a very determined puppy when it comes to cat turds. I had a covered litter box and got rid of it because that "turd eating hound" kept knocking it askew so the cat couldn't get into the box when she needed to. I have no doubt that if I were to landmine the bathroom, he'd find the necessary safe spots to get to the litter box!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Lance is a very determined puppy when it comes to cat turds. I had a covered litter box and got rid of it because that "turd eating hound" kept knocking it askew so the cat couldn't get into the box when she needed to. I have no doubt that if I were to landmine the bathroom, he'd find the necessary safe spots to get to the litter box!

Have you ever considered raising the litterbox on a platform or table? Cats are usually pretty good at climbing up on things. Your dog would probably jump up there too wouldn't he? You could try the dome and elevate it though... see what happens.

Lightbulb! What about one of those elctronic litter boxes the have the auto scoop feature? Some use motion detectors or something and scoop when the cat leaves the box!

How about this one!

YouTube- Auto Cat Litter Box

YouTube- Auto Cat Litter Box

YouTube- SmartScoop Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

YouTube- SmartScoop Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

What about the litter robot?

YouTube- Litter Robot for sale!

YouTube- Litter Robot for sale!