What you can do if your dog eats poop during walks
A carefree walk in the meadow and what may seem rather disgusting to you suddenly becomes very interesting to your four-legged friend all of a sudden very exciting? Not a few dogs tend to during walks →besides grass also to lick the feces of other dogs or animals or even eat it. Admittedly, that's pretty gross to watch, but for dogs, small amounts are normal. Only when your four-legged friend seems to make the piles of other dogs a whole meal should you take a closer look at the causes behind it.
Is it dangerous if my dog eats poop?
It's not only not particularly appetizing, to watch your own dog pounce on the next pile or happily collect horse droppings. Such an habit can also be hazardous to your dog's health as well. Poop is full of germs and is an ideal breeding ground for worms and other parasites, which can also multiply in your dog's gut. There is also the risk of ingesting toxins through feces for example, if it's the feces of other animals like cats or horses that excrete medication residues, which can be toxic to your dog. In some cases, eating feces can become life-threatening for your dog.
Also, for you this habit of your dog is not entirely without risk: if he licks your face and hands, he can infect you with parasites and other pathogens as well.
Causes: Why do dogs eat the feces of other animals?
Eating feces (coprophagia) is now attributed to the following causes which are either behavioral in nature or triggered by physical processes.
Behavioral reasons why your dog eats poop
Hygiene: If dogs live in an unclean environment, they will make sure themselves that their waste is removed from the area. Just like →female dogs, who eat their puppies' feces in the early days to avoid attracting potential predators and to keep the nest free from germs. Then some dogs prefer to take matters into their own paws when cleaning up and, well, eat their own poop.
Habit: Some dogs are more likely to pick up unwanted behaviors. If your four-legged friend doesn't get enough attention, he'll look for something to get it. Eating poop often leads to the desired attention and so your dog gets used to it walk after walk.
Stress: If dogs are under stress, they sometimes show behaviors that may not make sense to us humans at first glance. Unclear communication between you and your dog and possibly other pets in the household can make dogs insecure about their place in the hierarchy. Negative behavior can then be used as a way to show you that your dog has something on his mind and that's why he eats poop.
Some four-legged friends lack attention or have something else on their mind, causing them to start eating other dogs' feces.
Nutritional reasons why your dog eats poop
In some cases, dogs who eat poop have physical causes. Their body signals to them for various reasons that eating poop is necessary and important . This can be triggered by:
Imbalance in gut flora and malnutrition: A food that is not complete and doesn't provide your dog with enough easily digestible nutrients causes digestive issues. Your dog then excretes the majority of his food again, because it simply doesn't have the composition your dog needs to be supplied with all the →nutrients. Not enough energy leads your dog to seek out sources on his own to make up for his deficiency. Poop from dogs or other animals like horses, sheep, or rabbits then seems to many dogs to be a nutritious food source that quickly provides energy.
Have you ever taken a look at your dog's food? Is the composition such that you are →feeding your dog a species-appropriate and healthy diet? Or are there ingredients like grains, sugar, and artificial additives in it? With the right dog food, you can do a lot to stop your dog from eating poop.
At Pets Deli, we strictly follow the latest findings on healthy nutrition for your dog, so your furry friend is always supplied with all the nutrients. Fresh meat, crunchy vegetables, aromatic fruit, rich oils, and herbs make our dog food a real treat.
Our dog food: healthy, honest, delicious.
Too much strain with too little energy: Does your dog's food really meet her energy needs? Dogs who are very active athletically or even used for professional purposes often have an increased need for energy. If this need is not met, dogs will quickly look for the next best energy source and a pile of poop during a walk is just what they need. It's important to stick to the →feeding recommendations provided, which are usually broken down by activity level.
Diseases: If certain organs, such as the pancreas, don't function properly, your dog can't absorb the nutrients he needs and the valuable components just "pass through" your dog's body. So he once again finds a way to make up for the deficiency that arises.
Parasite infestation: →tapeworms, →giardia and →roundworms settle in your dog's digestive tract and extract nutrients from the food, so the parasites can survive. The result: the necessary nutrients don't reach your dog's body and he takes care of getting them himself by resorting to eating poop.
Aromas in dog feces: When other dogs eat food with chemical, flavor-enhancing aromas they excrete them undigested. So your dog can smell the intense scent from meters away and gets hungry right away.
Is the cause hidden in your dog's food? Poor quality and composition promote a nutrient deficiency that your dog may try to compensate for by eating feces.
How can I prevent my dog from eating poop?
To be on the safe side, you should first rule out physical causes. If your dog feasts on numerous piles during every walk, it's best to have him checked at a veterinary clinic. There, organ functions can be checked and any possible parasite infestation can be identified. With a blood test vets can see if your dog has a deficiency and whether a →change in food would be advisable. If your dog is physically healthy and lacking nothing, it's worth taking a look at your training and learned behaviors.
Are you still looking for the perfect, healthy snack for successful training? In our snacks, your dog will find only meat, delicious vegetables, and lots of love!
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Does your dog live in a clean environment or do you sometimes leave piles in the garden for several days? If so, your dog may take matters into his own paws and want to tidy up.
Afterwards, it's worth taking a critical look at your bond: Are you communicating at cross purposes or do you sensitively address why your dog acts the way he does in certain situations? →Dog language isn't always easy and →a secure bond is essential if you want to pursue shared goals with your dog.
Teaching your dog not to eat things off the ground
So that your dog doesn't eat everything he finds on the ground, it's worth doing the right training for this. It's best to start training this from puppy age, because besides poop, there are also →some poisonous baits along the way. Teach your dog that he may not eat anything from the ground and only eats on command . You can start by making sure he only touches his bowl when you give the signal .
Feeding on command: You decide when your dog eats. This way, you ensure that he doesn't pick up anything from the ground and acknowledges that it is in your hands when and how he is fed.
During the walk you should →not let him off leash to roam freely as long as he's eating everything he finds. If you notice your dog wants to eat something from the ground, move him away from the pile on the leash and say "No" or "Leave it." With this command, your dog should be familiar and associate it with stopping a behavior he shouldn't do. If he stops, reward him. You should always be consistent with these exercises, because your dog learns quickly—also the things he shouldn't. If he does something well, you should always reinforce it.
The rule here is: Be →patient and stress-free in training your dog, but not careless. If he has picked up a behavior, it takes some time to unlearn it. Clear commands and expectations from you are important. Violence is always a no-go in dog training and if you consult a →trainer or behaviorist, make sure they share your values in training. Then nothing will stand in the way of your training and soon your dog will turn his back on the poop pile!
