why-do-dogs-eat-poop

Have ever wondered why your dog likes eating that poop? Although you may find this as a bad habit, eating stool is actually common in many dogs. Some people actually do re-home their dogs because of this habit.

The scientific name for this habit is Coprophagia. There are many specific reasons why dogs find their own stool and that of others akin to a highly prized delicacy. This might vary from medical reasons to behavioral intentions in nature. While eating it can be connected to boredom, it can involve more complex medical reasons like diabetes. That is why it important to look at the possible causes.

 

Lack of enough Nutrients

This is directly related to the type of food your dog eats. In the wild most canines eats the whole prey when still fresh. This includes the guts, which contains the needed amount of digestive enzymes. At home, this is not the case with most modern urban dogs subsisting on highly processed foods.

Dog’s diet shouldn’t have a high grain percentage because the dog will need a lot of enzymes to digest it. Digestive enzymes like amylase help the body properly absorb the foods taken, making it very important in the digestive process.

Dogs basically poop out nutrients while undigested. While the dog’s body is able to create enzymes, they are inadequate to complete the process efficiently. They get this by eating their feces which is full of nutrients. Also, if you give your dog a lot of cereals, it can lead to obesity by having excess sugar and cortisol in the body. As a result, the behavioral problem can occur.

 

Seeking attention

Strangely, your best friend” may try to get your attention by eating stool if he feels wholly ignored. Coincidentally, you will most likely scold him which is what they like. This only reinforces this behavior further. So next time you see this, never overreact.

 

Stress

Does your dog stay in the kennel all day? Well, this leaves them stressed out and can resort to eating their stool to relieve stress. Also, this happens if your dog spends many hours at home alone leading to stress and boredom. It is recommended that a dog should not spend 6 or 8 hours at home alone and should go for a walk twice every day. So, ask yourself whether you spend quality time with your dog.

 

Punishment

Do you punish your dog for pooping in the house or anywhere? Research by Dr. Becker found that this is one of the reasons why they eat poop because you have taught him that poop is terrible. They resort to doing this to eat up the evidence. Positive reinforcement is therefore crucial to how your dog behaves.

 

Malabsorption

Malabsorption occurs if you notice your dog has diarrhea and cannot digest food properly. This is because they have difficulties in understanding food correctly and may prefer having “soft” foods like feces. If you immediately notice any bowel movement’s abnormality, immediately seek help from the veterinarian.

 

To maintain cleanliness

Some dogs like to maintain cleanliness in their habitats. If your dog has cleanliness behaviors like cleaning themselves regularly and avoiding eating or drinking when served in dirty bowels, they may also make sure their environment is clean by eating up their stool. Also, female dogs with puppies eat up feces to keep the nest clean. A regular outdoor walk is advised so that they may not poop at home. Also, always make sure where your dogs live is clean by regularly cleaning the house, kennel, and the garden.

 

Puppies scenting on their mother

Puppies sometimes get confused by the fecal odors to their mother’s breath after cleaning them. Also, sometimes after a mother has taken puppies feces, she may regurgitate them mixed with food. This is called “appetite inoculation,” which may lead to puppies developing this habit.

 

Presence of a weaker member

Scientists have come to a conclusion that healthy dogs sometimes consume feces from their sick or old members in the canine household. They concluded that this instinct is done to avoid other predators from attacking the pack.

 

Feeding near stool

If you personally feed your dog food distance from stool is of at most importance. Make sure your dog does not feed anywhere close to their waste. This close proximity can lead to getting confused about the odor coming from food and feces. Thus, he/she may get confused and eat both.

 

Hunger

If your dog is hungry, it will not hesitate to eat its stool. Dogs eat poops from cats, humans and other dogs to satisfy their need for food. However, this is a rare situation. Always make sure your he/she is well fed and on regular intervals.

 

Intestinal parasites

Some intestinal parasites are competing for the nutrients that your dog should get from food. This one can be another cause of why your dog always craves for stool. A pure dose of natural dewormer would clear the situation.

 

Pancreatic insufficiency

Also called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), is a condition of little or no pancreatic digestive enzymes being created. This leads to starvation, as he/she slowly starts to lose weight, develop diarrhea, and eat stool because he/she is trying to find nutrients that are much needed by the body.

 

Curious puppies

As those cute little puppies start to explore their surroundings, they can take a bite of some poop in the process of studying. If they find a delicious flavor, they eat it although it is not a very common behavior.

 

Puppies learning from older dogs

Younger dogs tend to do what older dogs do. If an older dog has acquired a taste for poop, younger ones tend to do the same thing. Therefore cut the problem early by ensuring cleanliness at all times.

 

Other causes

If you notice that the problem is so severe and you just cannot resolve it, immediately seek help from a veterinarian since this can be a sign of a more complicated illness.

 

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Conclusion

Summarily, although this may seem like a reasonable behavior practiced by your dog, eating poop can be a sign of other underlying medical causes. Make sure your he/she is well fed, cleanliness is observed in their area and take the dog for a walk regularly. Also, give him/her pineapple in their diet as this changes the taste of their stool.

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