Damon Mcknight
Dogs eating poop is a common occurrence, but that doesn't make it any less unpleasant for dog owners. The act of eating faeces is known as coprophagia, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, from boredom to anxiety, or even a lack of certain nutrients in their diet. While it may be a normal behaviour for dogs, it can also indicate underlying health issues, such as diabetes or parasites. To stop this behaviour, it is important to first identify the cause. This may involve consulting a veterinarian and making adjustments to the dog's diet, environment, or daily routine. Training methods, such as the use of remote training collars, can also be employed to discourage dogs from engaging in this habit.
How to stop dogs from eating poop in Australia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical reasons | Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), parasites, diabetes, malabsorption syndromes, Cushing's, thyroid disease, drugs such as steroids |
| Behavioural reasons | Boredom, anxiety, cleanliness, scavenging, curiosity |
| Solutions | Use a dog training collar, provide more care and activity, improve diet, add paw paw to food, potty training, clean up poop immediately, keep dog on a leash, use verbal commands |
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What You'll Learn
Clean up after your dog immediately
When your dog poops, pick it up right away. You can use a poop scooper to remove the excrement immediately. Keep their box and other living spaces clean, and wipe up any excrement they pass while you're out for a walk. If you have a cat, place the litter box where your dog can't get to it. If you have a baby in the house, dispose of used diapers in a sealed trash can that your dog can't access.
If your dog has an accident in the house, remove the feces before your dog has a chance to eat it. You should also be careful to clean up after puppies before they eat their poop. Mother dogs often eat their puppies' poop to keep the "den" clean and to prevent predators from being attracted by the smell. Puppies learn from their mothers, so they may naturally behave the same way.
If your dog is eating its poop, it may be because it is poorly nourished or lacks certain nutrients in its diet. In this case, you should take your dog to the vet to rule out any potential medical causes, such as parasites, diabetes, malabsorption syndromes, or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. If your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you can try adding a small amount of paw paw to their food. The enzyme in this will make their poop taste repulsive.
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Use a dog training collar
If your dog has developed the habit of eating poop, you may want to consider using a dog training collar. Eating poop is usually a habit dogs pick up, but it can sometimes be caused by certain conditions like a lack of minerals. If your dog has this habit, the first thing you should do is take them to the vet. If your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you can then try to train your dog out of this habit using a dog training collar.
The SportDOG SD-425E is a remote dog training collar ideal for small to extra-large dogs with neck measurements of up to 60 cm. It covers a great distance, up to 450 m, and can be used for 3 dogs at the same time with extra receiver collars. Both the collar and the handpiece are waterproof and feature quick-charging capability, allowing you to use them for 40-60 hours with just a 2-hour charge. It also comes with a 3-year warranty.
With electronic training, you can condition your dog to associate eating poop as a bad thing. You can try to keep the handpiece hidden from the dog so that they do not expect the correction and associate the poop as a "bad thing". You can then reward the dog when they stay away from the poop, reinforcing the notion that staying away from poop will get them rewards.
To use the collar effectively, you can leave it on the dog for a day without using it, and then after your training session, take it off discreetly. Take the dog to the poop and catch them in the act. Give them a high-level correction, focusing only on that issue. Most training requires consistency and repetition for it to be effective in the long term.
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Rule out medical causes
If your dog starts eating poop, it is important to consult a veterinarian to rule out any health problems. Dogs may eat poop due to nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamins, minerals, gut bacteria, or enzymes. This can be addressed by adding a prebiotic supplement to their diet, along with vitamins and minerals, to improve their digestion and nutrient absorption.
In some cases, poop-eating behaviour can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. For example, it may be a result of parasites, diabetes, malabsorption syndromes, Cushing's Disease, thyroid disease, or other conditions that increase appetite, such as steroid treatments. It is also possible for dogs to eat their own faeces due to gastrointestinal issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, certain medications can increase hunger and lead to this behaviour.
If your dog has suddenly started eating poop in association with other symptoms, such as weight loss, lethargy, discomfort, behavioural changes, vomiting, or diarrhoea, it is important to seek veterinary advice. Your vet will be able to perform diagnostic tests to determine if your dog has an underlying medical problem, such as pica, intestinal parasites, nutritional deficiencies, or gastrointestinal disease.
It is also worth noting that eating the faeces of other animals can be dangerous for dogs, as it may be contaminated with parasites, viruses, or toxins. Therefore, if your dog is consuming the stool of other animals, regular veterinary check-ups and preventative treatments are crucial to ensure their health.
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Address boredom and anxiety
If your dog is eating poop due to boredom and anxiety, it is important to address these issues. Dogs that are left alone for long periods may start eating their own faeces out of boredom. In this case, you should ensure your dog has enough physical and mental stimulation. Provide them with more care, activity, and things to do with their energy. You could also consider hiring a trainer to help your dog avoid this behaviour.
Anxiety is another common reason for dogs eating their own faeces. An anxious or stressed dog may turn to eating poop as a way of self-soothing. This self-soothing technique might also appear when a household change occurs, such as a new baby, pet, or family member moving in. If your dog displays other signs of anxiety, such as pacing, panting, or shaking, consult your vet or a professional dog trainer to work on some behaviour modification techniques.
It is also important to rule out any potential medical causes, as faeces-eating could indicate a health condition relating to parasites, diabetes, or malabsorption syndromes. A dog that is poorly nourished or lacking certain nutrients in their diet may turn to eating poop to supplement what they are missing. A high-quality, species-appropriate diet and vitamin supplementation may help to address this issue.
Finally, proper potty training is essential. Dogs that are punished for pooping in the wrong place may start to eat their poop to hide the evidence. Instead of punishment, use command training with phrases like "leave it" to help your dog understand that this behaviour is unacceptable.
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Supervise outdoor excursions
Supervising outdoor excursions is an important part of preventing your dog from eating poop. Here are some tips to help you effectively supervise your dog's outdoor time:
Firstly, always keep your dog on a leash during walks. This will allow you to maintain close control and prevent them from accessing poop. If you notice your dog showing interest in poop, use verbal commands such as "leave it" to redirect their attention and help them understand that such behaviour is unacceptable. Be consistent with your commands, as this will help your dog understand and follow your instructions over time.
In addition to verbal commands, you can also use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour during outdoor excursions. Carry treats with you to reward your dog when they obey your commands and avoid eating poop. This will help them associate good behaviour with rewards, further discouraging them from engaging in undesirable habits.
It is also important to be vigilant and proactive in cleaning up after your dog. Always pick up your dog's poop immediately to prevent them from accessing it later. This simple step can significantly reduce the temptation for your dog to engage in coprophagia. Remember to dispose of the waste responsibly in designated bins or by bringing it home for disposal.
Supervision also extends to your dog's living environment. Keep their living spaces clean and free from any excrement. This includes regular cleaning of their box or indoor living area, as well as securing any litter boxes or trash cans containing faecal matter, such as used diapers or cat litter. Taking these precautions will limit your dog's access to potential sources of poop.
By implementing these supervision strategies during outdoor excursions and in your dog's living environment, you can effectively reduce the opportunities for your dog to engage in coprophagia. Consistent supervision, combined with other management adjustments and environmental changes, can help successfully treat this behaviour.
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Frequently asked questions
Dogs may eat poop due to a variety of reasons, including boredom, anxiety, cleanliness, curiosity, or a lack of certain nutrients in their diet. Dogs may also eat poop because they have been punished for pooping in the house and want to hide the evidence.
If your dog is eating poop due to boredom or anxiety, try giving them more care, activity, and mental stimulation. If your dog is eating poop because of a lack of certain nutrients, consult a veterinarian to rule out any potential medical causes and adjust their diet accordingly. To prevent your dog from eating poop out of curiosity, always clean up after them before they have a chance to eat it. You can also use a dog training collar to condition your dog to associate eating poop with something negative.
Dogs that eat poop are more likely to contract a parasite or sickness.
The SportDOG SportTrainer® Remote Trainer – SD-425E is a good option to stop your dog from eating poop. It is completely waterproof and has a range of up to 450m with 3 dogs at the same time.
