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Our canine companions are notorious for eating anything and everything they come across. It’s pretty common for a dog to eat something that’s been dead for a while. He may even eat another dog’s poop! That’s awfully gross, but can this make your dog sick?
Has your dog eaten another dog’s poop? Are you worried the other dog’s poop will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary and gross when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about dog poop and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
Eating Another Dog’s Poop – Yuck!
While this sounds very gross to us, it’s pretty normal for a dog to eat poop from another dog or other animals. They may do this for various reasons, including:
- The poop smells like food (maybe the other dog ate something your dog loves!)
- Your dog wants to get your attention (this may be the case if your dog doesn’t have enough attention during the day)
- The dog could be sick (he could have intestinal parasites or other health issues)
- He’s anxious (stress and anxiety can cause a dog to eat poop from another dog)
- He could eat the poop out of curiosity (dogs do this all the time!)
Can Eating Another Dog’s Poop Make Your Dog Sick?
The answer is yes, possibly. In many cases, a dog may eat another dog’s poop once in a while and never get sick. However, poop from other dogs can carry diseases, parasites, and more. It’s also possible your dog could get sick if the other dog is on a certain medication or eats irritating ingredients.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of a Dog Eating Another Dog’s Poop
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has been eating another dog’s poop:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- And more
If your dog shows these or other concerning symptoms, it’s time to call the vet. This may be an emergency. So, don’t wait to see if your dog’s symptoms improve or worsen. Call the vet now.
Dogs that eat another dog’s poop usually don’t become sick if this is only an occasional habit. However, if your dog regularly eats poop, it’s best to have him checked by the vet.
And it’s a good idea to keep your dog on a leash when out walking. Be sure to pay attention to what he’s sniffing or eating. If he’s trying to eat poop, you may try to distract him with a favorite toy or treat. This is a habit that’s not only gross, but it could also make your dog sick!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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