Dogs eating their own poo, diarrhea or otherwise, is another common problem may pet parents worry about. For one thing, this is gross to us. The very thought may be making you sick your stomach as you read this article! We apologize for that! However, as a pet parent, it’s good to stay informed on these topics, even if they are disgusting!
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Another reason pet parents worry about their canine companions eating poos is the concern of an underlying health issue.
We’ll take a look at the issue and what you can do to curb poo-eating in your dog.
Why Do Dogs Eat Diarrhea?
There are several reasons that dogs may eat their own poo. Some dogs may just like to eat poo—which is a common issue. This is called coprophagia and, in fact, this is a habit that your fur baby’s wild ancestors used to stay healthy. They may have done this in times when food was scarce, to keep their den clean, etc.
There are other reasons that cause dogs to eat poop including:
Diet doesn’t contain enough calories and necessary nutrients
- Parasites
- Malabsorption issues
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s thyroid disease
- Medications (including steroids)
However, behavioral issues may also cause a dog to eat diarrhea or poo. These include being alone too much, too much time spent in a small space, anxiety, dogs who need attention, and more.
If your fur baby regularly eats poo or diarrhea, it’s a good idea to take him to the vet to be checked for any underlying health or behavioral issues.
Can Dogs Get Sick from Eating Diarrhea?
Yes, it’s possible for a dog to get sick from eating his own poop. However, this is rare. Remember, dogs and their wild ancestors ingest poop. Mother dogs will eat the poop of their puppies to keep their nestbox clean. Canines also eat poop if food is in short supply.
Our canine friends can also become sick if they eat the poop of other dogs (or other animals). Feces may contain parasites, bacteria, and other things that could make your dog sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Dog Eating Diarrhea
Your dog could develop some symptoms after eating his diarrhea or poop, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Intestinal parasites
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s best to call the vet right away.
How to Keep My Dog From Eating His Diarrhea
First, we must say that if your dog seems to be ill, it’s best to call the vet. Your dog may require medical treatment to stop this from happening.
The vet may recommend some of the following in addition to treatment:
Supplementation: your fur baby may require supplementation with vitamins and enzymes. These may be added to their food or given as a snack.
Training: supervise your dog on walks and train him with commands, such as “leave it” or “drop it.” When you see him eating something he shouldn’t, give the command and he will leave it alone.
Taste aversion products: another method you can try is to use taste-aversion products. These products are made with certain smells and tastes that dogs hate. Many of these products contain MSG (monosodium glutamate), chamomile, pepper-plant derivatives, yucca, etc. The product acts as a deterrent to keep the dog from eating diarrhea or poop. You can also try bitter-tasting sprays to make diarrhea unpalatable to your fur baby.
Other ways to curb this habit is to keep your yard cleaned of feces on a regular basis. This will keep your dog from having free access to poo. If your fur baby has an accident in the house, then clean it up as soon as possible, so your dog won’t eat the poop. Keep in mind your dog may eat his diarrhea to “hide the evidence.” So, be sure not to scold him for having an accident in the house.
If your fur baby seems to have behavioral issues such as separation anxiety, then spending more time with him, having play time together, etc. may curb his tendency to eat poo or diarrhea. If the vet has not found any medical issues causing this behavior, and spending more time doesn’t ease the problem, then you may want to consider taking your dog to a dog behaviorist who may be able to help you and your fur baby with this issue.
We hope you’ve made it through this article OK! If you have any questions or concerns about your dog eating poo or diarrhea, be sure to check with your vet. They’ll have the best guidance on next steps to deal with this problem.
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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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