Do you live in an area with deer? Have you taken your fur baby on a lovely walk, then encountered some deer poo, only to have your dog chow down on the poo? You’re not alone! This is a common problem in dogs!
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While we find this horribly gross, for dogs it’s like eating the finest caviar. Dogs seem to like almost any type of poo, including deer poo. This fascination with eating poo even has a name, it’s a condition called coprophagia. Unfortunately, this habit can cause health problems in your fur baby if he eats a lot of deer (or any other) poo.
Deer Poo Can Make Dogs Sick
Dogs that love to munch down on deer poo can become sick from bacteria and other substances in the poo. So, if your fur baby has a poo-eating habit, it’s time to get him checked at the vet. The vet will check for any health issues and may determine your dog does have coprophagia.
Symptoms of Coprophagia in Dogs
If your fur baby is eating feces from deer and other animals on a regular basis, there’s a high probability he is suffering from coprophagia. He may even develop these symptoms:
- Stomachache (big surprise!)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal parasites
- Infections
There are medical conditions that can cause this poo-eating habit including:
- Parasites
- Drugs (such as steroids)
- Malabsorption syndrome
- Diabetes
- Cushings
- Thyroid problems
Diagnosis of Coprophagia in Dogs
The vet will perform a thorough physical exam and will also order a wide variety of tests. These tests will be used to rule out other medical conditions that could cause your canine companion to eat deer poo.
There are treatments available to help your dog feel better and to stop eating poo.
At home, you can also do the following to keep your fur baby away from the tempting poo morsels:
- Keep your dog on a leash when walking in places that may have deer poo
- Keep the yard free of all poo
- Keep a favorite treat on hand to distract your fur baby away from the poo
- Change your dog’s diet and/or feed him small amounts more often
By following your vet’s instructions and doing what you can at home to help your fur baby avoid poo, the chances are high for a full recovery from this nasty habit. The main issue is to keep your fur baby from accessing poo throughout this process now and in the future!
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.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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