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Dogs eating poop is a problem for many people. No matter what type of poop is available, some dogs just love to chow down on it. If you live on a farm or in an area with livestock, such as goats, your dog may love eating goat poop! But can goat poop make your dog sick?
Has your dog eaten some goat poop? Are you worried the goat poop will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary (and gross) when your dog eats something he shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at goat poop and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Goat Poop?
Most of you will know what goat poop is, but we’ll review this anyway. Goat poop is nothing more than feces produced by a goat. This is what goat poop is!
Some dogs truly love eating livestock poop, even goats’! Why? No one really knows for sure. Some dogs may eat poop due to malnutrition or not getting enough to eat. Other dogs may eat poop out of boredom, if they have pica or suffer from anxiety. Then there are dogs who simply like eating it!
No matter the reason a dog chooses to eat goat poop, most pet parents consider this a really gross thing. This really gross thing that some dogs do even has a name, which is coprophagia. Coprophagia means nothing more than “eating poop.”
Eating poop can be a normal, though gross habit in dogs. But can eating goat poop make a dog sick?
Goat Poop & Dogs
Whether a dog eats goat poop or other types of poop, one thing is for sure. It’s possible for the dog to pick up parasites from the poop.
In goat poop, it’s possible to find Paralephastrongylus tenuis or Meullarius capillaris. These parasites are not known to usually cause health issues in dogs. In most cases, the parasites will go through the dog’s system and come out in his poop without making the dog sick.
Goats can also carry another parasite called Coxiella burnetti, which is also called Q fever. This is a rare infection that can be carried by goats, cattle, and sheep. In some cases, it can infect dogs (or cats) and even humans. However, this is very rare.
So, if your dog is munching on goat poop, watch for any signs he may be ill. This may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and other digestive tract issues. If your dog’s diarrhea and vomiting last longer than 24 hours, it’s always best to call the vet and have your dog checked.
In most cases, your dog should make a complete recovery after eating goat poop!
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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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