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Dogs can be pretty disgusting at times, especially when it comes to choosing something to eat. For instance, it’s not uncommon for a dog to eat another animal’s poop! But why? And could this make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten another animal’s poop? Are you worried the other animal’s poop could make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand that it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about dogs eating other animal’s poop and whether this can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
Why Do Dogs Eat Another Animal’s Poop?
Dogs may choose to eat other animal’s poop for several reasons, including:
Coprophagia: this is a medical condition that can cause a dog to eat poop.
Needs more nutrition: a dog may not be receiving all the necessary nutrition from his dog food.
Parasite infection: may drive a dog to eat poop because the parasites take a lot of the nutrients from the food he eats.
Underlying medical conditions: such as diabetes, Cushing’s, thyroid disease, and more can cause an increase in appetite.
Medications: certain medications, such as steroids, may cause a dog to be hungry and eat more.
So, if your dog is eating poop regularly, it’s a good idea to contact your vet. They may want to check your dog for underlying health issues that could be causing him to eat poop.
Can Dogs Get Sick From Eating Another Animal’s Poop?
Yes, it’s possible a dog may become sick from eating another animal’s poop. The problem is that other animals can carry pathogens that may be passed to your dog through the animal’s poop.
Your dog could be exposed to pathogens such as harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more. So, if your dog is eating poop on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with the vet.
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Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment for Dogs Eating Another Animal’s Poop
The vet will examine your dog and may run tests to check your dog for pathogens. If your fur baby has caught some bug from eating another animal’s poop, the vet will treat this condition. And they will treat any other health issues that may be causing this yucky habit in your dog.
After treatment, you may need to train your dog to stop his poop-eating habit. This can take time. But with patience, treats, and plenty of love combined with positive reinforcement training methods, your canine companion will stop eating the poop of other animals. Plus, he’ll feel better, too!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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