Dog Faeces Eating Behavior Problem –
Why Do Dogs Do This?

Some dogs can't resist a tasty morsel of faeces. These dogs will eat their own excrement or that of another dog. Some prefer horse faeces, others cat faeces. Frozen faeces are popular in the winter time.

Why do dogs do this?

In the past it was believed that faeces eating, also known as coprophagia, was caused by either poor diet or poor health. However, this theory is not supported by current research.

Behavioral research has discounted the idea that it is a dietary deficiency or a pancreatic enzyme deficiency. Dogs are historically scavengers and this is believed to be a scavenger behaviour.

It is important for dog owners to know that this behaviour is normal for a mother dog with pups. New-born pups must learn to urinate and defecate. The mother teaches the pups by licking their bottoms. The pups respond to this "tickle" by urinating and defecating. The mother then consumes the pups excrement, which serves two protective purposes.

(1) It keeps the den area clean.

(2) It removes smells that could attract a predator.

Some pups learn this behaviour from their mothers and will stimulate themselves and consume their own faeces. Most pups stop by the time they are weaned.

It is more difficult to understand why adult dogs eat faeces. Some dogs will learn this behaviour from other dogs. In some cases, eating faeces may be an attention seeking behaviour. For some dogs it is possibly due to anxiety or boredom. Most often the motivation for eating faeces is just not known.

Pet owners usually find this habit in their pet disgusting, particularly if the consumed faeces are then thrown up all over the carpet. In addition to being socially unacceptable, eating faeces exposes the dog to parasites and diseases. So, what is a dog owner to do?

Eating faeces is a problem that is easier to prevent than to cure. Don't allow the opportunity to arise. Keep the dog's yard clean by disposing of faeces promptly. Move the cat box out of the dog's reach. If cleaning the outdoor area is not feasible, then keep the dog on a leash or use a muzzle when outside.

There are some "cures" that have been used with limited success. Punishment generally only works in the early stages, before the behaviour becomes habitual. Feeding the dog MSG, garlic, or pumpkin is believed to give faeces a bad taste, making it less attractive to the dog. Other products can be applied to the faeces directly; however, dogs are very perceptive and can probably distinguish between tainted and untainted faeces.

The best solution is to supervise the dog and not let it develop the habit. If you would like further information about this behaviour, contact your local veterinarian.

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