Has your puppy eaten some cat poop? Are you worried the cat poop will make your puppy sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it’s scary when your puppy eats something they shouldn’t. It can be difficult to know how to handle the problem.
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In this article, we’ll take a look at cat poop and whether or not it can make your puppy sick. Let’s get started!
Why Do Puppies Eat Cat Poop?
Puppies are all about exploring their new world! And as they explore, they use their mouths. This is similar to our human babies, who also put things in their mouths to explore new items. But why would a puppy eat cat poop?
Well, there’s no way to really tell for sure what makes a puppy eat cat poop. It could be he’s exploring that treasure the cat just buried in her litter box. A puppy is full of curiosity!
Another reason is that the cat’s poop may smell like something yummy. Dogs are, by nature, scavengers. They will eat all kinds of things from poo to day’s old roadkill, and worse. This is a natural part of being a canine, even for puppies.
But can cat poop make a puppy sick?
Cat Poop & Puppies
Yes, it’s possible the cat poop could make your puppy sick. Cat poo, like all poop, contains bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Some are not harmful to puppies. However, cats do carry toxoplasmosis, which can make a puppy pretty sick.
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled organism called Toxoplasma gondii. These organisms can burrow into the lining of the stomach and lower intestine and from there spread throughout the body. In puppies, toxoplasmosis can lead to death. This is because a puppy’s immune system isn’t yet strong enough to fight off the infection.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Puppy Ingesting Cat Poop
You may notice these symptoms if your puppy has eaten cat poop:
- Excessive drooling
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Tremors
If your puppy is showing any of these symptoms, then it’s time to call the vet. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms will worsen or not. Waiting could mean your puppy may not survive.
At the vet’s, they will treat your puppy once they’ve done tests to see what’s causing the problem. After diagnosis, the vet will prescribe the right treatment for your puppy. This could mean your puppy may need a round of antibiotics, deworming medication (if the puppy has developed worms), and so on.
The good news is that most puppies will go on to make a full recovery if they receive prompt medical treatment after eating cat poop!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. No waiting for appointments or office hours. No high fees. 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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