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Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

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Why do Dogs Eat Poop?

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Dogs are goofy and cute animals that do the strangest things at times. We have all noticed puppies and dogs roll in the mud, lick their paws, or even sniff other dogs. Yet, the most disturbing sight is to witness a dog eating poop. Yes, dogs often try to eat their own poop, and at times another animal’s poop as well. This strange habit of dogs can be very worrisome to its caregivers, but why do dogs eat poop? Is there a valid reason for dogs to eat poop? Also, what happens if dogs eat poop? Well, there are numerous reasons to why dogs eat poop. Read the following to know more about this condition and why it occurs.
 

Why do dogs like to eat poop?

Coprophagia is a medical issue that conditions dogs to eat poop. It is a common condition and is believed to affect at least one in six dogs at a serious level, while at least one in four dogs have been caught trying to eat poop. This condition often occurs because of a decrease in the absorption of essential nutrients. Limited nutrients cause gastrointestinal issues which sometimes lead to coprophagia. A dog suffering from coprophagia finds their own as well as other animal’s stool appealing and appetizing. If you have noticed your dog eating poop or sniffing poop, then you should try to understand the reason for it before the condition exceeds.
 

Why do dogs eat their own poop?

Although coprophagia can cause dogs to eat poop, what causes this condition? Why do dogs eat their own poop because of coprophagia? Read the following to understand the various hypothesis that may be contributing to your pooch’s poop-eating habit.

  • Motherly instinct: Most new and nursing momma pooches are found eating their puppies’ poop. Female furballs often do this to keep their kennel clean after their little one has littered the area. Your pet might eat its puppies’ poop to protect it from predators that might follow the poop’s smell. This condition can easily be controlled by always keeping your fur ball’s bed and kennel clean. You can install a puppy pee pad that can be regularly changed and cleaned to ensure the newborns are in sanitary conditions. Keeping the mother dog and puppies in a clean and tidy environment can immediately stop their willingness to eat poop.
  • Finds poop tasty: Poop is basically digested food. Therefore, one of the reasons for your dog to eat poop could be they simply find other animals’ stool more appetizing. If you notice your pooch trying to eat certain animal poops such as rabbits, cats, cows, etc. then they might like the taste of digested plants. In such cases, you can always consult their vet and get a preferred dog food prescription that might help in curbing your pet’s cravings.
  • Going through anxiety: One of the reasons your dog prefers eating poop could also be linked to anxiety. Dogs often get anxious because of new surroundings, unfamiliar sounds, and other similar reasons. Anxiety can lead to dogs getting involved in displacement behavior such as eating poop. At such times pet parents should try to identify the cause of anxiety and resolve the issue to control coprophagia.
  • Lack of nutrition: Sometimes dogs might feast on a stool to make up for the nutrition they are lacking. Feeding your pet, a nutrition deficit diet can lead them to eat poop. Indigestion, underfeeding, lack of vitamins and minerals, and parasites are some other reasons that might cause a lack of nutrition and an increase in the dog's urge for eating poop.
  • Need for attention: Dogs are also notorious for seeking attention with unusual activities. Your canine friend might do the most absurd thing to get some extra attention. Eating their own poop or others' poop can be one such act. In such situations, you can easily get your pooch to give up the habit by training it and giving it some extra love and attention.

What happens if dogs eat poop?

If your dog eats poop there are chances of it suffering from numerous health concerns. Poop is simply waste that might carry harmful pathogens which can cause illness and uneasiness if consumed. Your pet might suffer from gastroenteritis, vomiting, decreased appetite, nausea, intestinal parasites, and diarrhea after consuming poop. Hence, it is necessary to identify the root cause of this habit and treat it at the earliest. Given below are a few steps that you can take to control and eventually stop your dog’s poop-eating habit.

  • Training: It is easy to train your dogs to follow a certain command or pattern. Therefore, getting your dog to stop eating poop can also be taught through training. You can simply train them to not eat poop by using a stern and commanding voice each time they try to eat stool. However, ensure to treat them with their favorite treat each time they listen to you. Follow this activity regularly until they stop trying to eat poop. Training a dog can sometimes take weeks, so you need to be patient and consistent while training.
  • Redirecting attention: If your pet eats poop to seek attention or out of anxiety, then you can easily get it to stop by giving them some attention. Starting a game of fetch, offering their favorite toy or treat, or simply calling their name are some ways to distract your pooch from consuming stool.
  • Make poop less appealing: Keep the pooch away from the general toilet area and use a commanding tone every time they try to get needed poop. This will make them stay away from poop to avoid trouble. Making poop less appealing and treating it like a hazard can make your furball eventually stay away from poop. Potty training your dog and clean up soon after they have done the deed also helps in controlling their urge to eat poop.

Although coprophagia seems like a very serious condition, it is a very common condition. As mentioned previously one out of six dogs suffer from this condition, but with a little guidance and training, you can easily get it to stop consuming unpleasant hazardous things like garbage and poop. You should also try changing your dog’s food to more nutritious and nourishing food with high protein content, the right amount of fiber, and other nourishing elements like vitamins and minerals. However, if they continue eating poop, then you should visit a veterinarian doctor to get the condition diagnosed and treated at the earliest.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is dog eating poop normal?
  2. Yes, it is dogs who often eat poop because of various reasons ranging from anxiety to lack of nutrition. At least one in six dogs consume poop, but this habit can be controlled by taking the right measures.

  3. Can dogs get sick from eating poop?
  4. Yes, poop is bodily waste that contains a lot of harmful germs, undigested food, and other harmful substances. Dogs can suffer from nausea, digestive issues, vomiting, and diarrhea because of eating poop.

  5. How do I clean my dog's mouth after eating poop?
  6. If your dog has eaten poop, then you can do the following things to clean its mouth.

    • Wipe their mouth with a clean cloth.
    • Use a dog toothbrush to remove dirt.
    • Offer a dental stick to chew on. This will help get rid of the unpleasant stink and impurities.
    • Lastly, offer it food and water to wash away the unpleasant stench.
  • Everything You Need to Know About Healthy Dog Skin and Coat
    Everything You Need to Know About Healthy Dog Skin and Coat
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    Everything You Need to Know About Healthy Dog Skin and Coat

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    Some of the best indicators of your dog's health are its skin and coat conditions. A healthy dog coat should be shiny and smooth, not rough or brittle. When it comes to healthy skin, your dog's skin should be soft and smooth, not greasy or flaky. Good nutrition is one of the main factors in maintaining your dog’s health in terms of a luscious coat and soft skin. Apart from that, your dog’s coat and skin can also be taken care of through regular grooming and skincare routines that will help keep its hair free of tangles and its skin free of any irritation.


    If you think that achieving healthy skin and healthy coat in dogs is difficult, it’s time for you to learn more about dog health and grooming. Let’s explore more about how you can achieve a healthy dog coat and skin for your floof. 
     

    How do nutrients help my dog’s skin and coat health?

    The first thing that any pet parent thinks of when it comes to maintaining their dog’s skin and coat health is grooming. While grooming plays a significant role in making sure that your dog has a shiny coat and soft skin, health plays a bigger part in ensuring your floof’s appearance.


    If you have been grooming your dog well and are still wondering why its coat and skin are not appearing the way they should, chances are that there is an internal issue. A shiny coat and supple skin on the outside start with a healthy dog on the inside. If your dog has flaky, bumpy, dull, or dry skin/coat, it could be an indicator that something is wrong. The first thing you need to do is book an appointment with your vet and cross out any underlying issues.


    The skin is the largest organ of any animal's body. For dogs, most of their skin is covered with hair that sheds regularly or is constantly growing, in non-shedding breeds. Just like how we require a balanced diet full of high-quality digest table food types to keep our skin and hair in a healthy state, dogs also need to maintain their diet and make sure that their body is receiving the right amount of calories each day to maintain energy levels. If a dog is not eating well or is eating poor-quality food, its body will take longer to eliminate the waste products and cause the kidneys and liver to work twice as hard.


    That being said, good nutrition is key to a healthy dog coat and skin. A dog that meets its dietary needs every day will boast soft, supple skin, and luscious, glowing hair. 
     

    Tips to help maintain healthy dog skin and coat

    Many pet parents struggle with maintaining their dog's skin and find it to be one of the most difficult tasks. In reality, achieving goals as such is fairly easy, provided you feed your dog the right nutrients and make sure that its diet meets its bodily requirements. Here are a few things you can do to maintain a healthy dog coat and skin: 

    • Balanced diet

    Your dog needs to maintain a complete and balanced diet to achieve healthy skin and a glossy coat. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins need to be fed to your dog in balanced ratios. It is very important for dogs to meet their daily calorie intake so that they have enough energy to facilitate new hair growth and skin cell turnover. If your dog's diet is not easily digestible or contains poor-quality ingredients, it may not be able to create enough energy through its diet. Make sure that everything you feed your dog contains high-quality ingredients and does not pose a risk to your dog's health.

    • Supplements

    There are so many supplements available in the market today. While you may get confused between jars and bags of supplements promoted for healthy coat growth in dogs, the majority of these products contain a source of omega-3 fatty acids combined with a range of other ingredients. Omega-3 fatty acids have scientifically proven to be one of the most beneficial supplements that you can give your dog for a glossy coat and smooth skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are not just effective anti-inflammatory agents but are also capable of bulking up your dog’s skin’s natural fatty acid barrier to add that extra shine. 

    • Bath time routine

    Bathing your dog is extremely important as it will remove any dust, debris, dirt, and odour from its skin and coat. If there are any allergens on your dog's skin, a good bath is the solution to this irritating problem. Generally, dogs should be bathed every 2 to 4 weeks depending on their breed's needs. If your vet has advised a different routine, make sure you follow that. It is best not to bathe your dog too much because that can result in flaky skin and can dry out your dog's coat. If your dog has any allergies or does not react well to a dog shampoo or soap, consult your vet and find the right products for your floof.

    • Allergies and parasite prevention

    Dogs that suffer from allergies experience inflammation in their skin that can cause redness and itchiness. This makes them itch and scratch which ruptures their skin barrier, allowing other infections to enter your floof’s body. Unfortunately, allergies cannot be cured and can only be treated. For this reason, it’s important to know how to manage your dog's allergies by consulting a wet.


    Fleas and ticks are the most common parasite irritants that will affect your dog's skin at some point in its life. These parasites can cause intense scratching, chewing, and biting of the skin. These acts of self-inflicted trauma can lead to tears in the skin barrier, leaving your dog with crusty, irritable, and red skin. Additionally, some fleas and ticks carry illnesses that can be fatal. It is best to keep your dogs protected against these parasites all around by consulting a vet and doing the needful.

    • Overall health

    Maintaining overall health for your dog to achieve a shiny coat and soft skin is extremely important. Make sure your dog is being fed a balanced diet and the right nutrients. it is also important for your dog to have a good exercise routine so that it is just not lazing around the house. A dog that is well rested, well fed, and receiving the right nutrients is set to flaunt healthy dog skin and coat. 


    It is imperative that pet parents keep good food for dog skin in mind and also administer nutrients that aid in a shiny, glossy coat. Now that you know what you need to do as a responsible pet parent, you are all set to give your floof its best life. 

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