Posts Tagged ‘stop dog eating feces’
Teaching Canines not to Eat Their Poop
There are many complaints from canine owners about their pups eating feces. This habit is also known as coprophagia and this means eating of feces by an animal. This problem could be a result of many factors like pancreatic insufficiency, digestive diseases, disorders such as malabsorption of food particles, over-feeding, under-feeding, fatty foods that are rich in saturated oils, anxiety or stress. Nevertheless, there are various studies regarding the absolute cause of this pet issue.
Some theorize that dogs which were punished by owners for defecating improperly may think defecating is wrong, so they try to get rid of any evidence. It is also believed that coprophagy is a trait inherited by dogs from by ancestors. Wolves may have often eaten poo if food is in short supply. In some cases, coprophagy may be a behavior learned from watching other animals.
It can also occur when the dog is in the course of trying out the taste of everything and then likes the taste of the poop which eventually develops into a habit.But, understanding the why behind the stool eating is not near as important as stopping it.
How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop
Searching for a solution to this problem is easier said than done. But there are different strategies available that could help pet owners control their dogs. Owners can stop their dogs from eating feces by picking it up. However, it has to be done right after the dog pooped to eliminate any chances of it getting near the poop.
There are also a handful of chemicals and additives that claim to fix this problem. Natural products include pumpkin seeds, mints and pineapple. Some owners also use some chemicals to make the feces taste unbareable. There are available products that can be mixed with dog food, made especially for this intention.
Using a muzzle is also practical solution to stop the pets from nibbling their own feces. Just like any other bad canine habits, nibbling feces can be prevented if the canine can be properly trained. By introducing another good behavior, a dog can forget about eating feces. Verbal commands could also be taught to the pets. Adding toys around the pet could be used as diversionary tactics. Owners should also look for something that is more enjoyable for the canine than nibbling its own stool. The vital point is that owners should not punish their dogs if they eat their poop.
It is common for a dog to eat its and other animal’s feces, but through proper training, this problem can be solved.
Dogs may contract illness from eating feces. Worms and other parasites can also be transmitted through ingesting these. There is no doubt that this is not something you want your dog to be doing. Eliminating the pets from eating their poo needs tremendous effort. Through the owners’ initiative, canines could not only be prevented from doing something gross, but they could also be saved from illness.
Even though the reasons why dogs eat stool are only theories, there are still means to stop them from doing such.