Poop Eating

Hey kjd,

Certainly in other species, recycling nutrients is the reason for eating their own waste (termed coprophagy). I've never related this to dogs, but thinking about it, it would seem reasonable that this could why at least some dogs eat their own (or other animals) poo.

Grains are a good thing to include in a dogs' diet, and actually are found in some proportion in nearly all commercial dog foods. They help with skin and coat condition, as well as digestion. Some dogs "require" more than others for healthy function, and Sunna might be one of those dogs. The facts are that dogs are really omnivores/scavengers, as opposed to cats which are termed "obligate carnivores". So dogs actually do well on a diet thats not made entirely of meat products, which surprises some.

I"m glad that you found a food Sunna does well on, and bonus that its helped her decrease her poo intake! Some dogs do eat poo as a psychological thing, others out of boredom, some just think it smells good, and some probably are recycling nutrients.

Hey roxie,

Definitely try putting "additives" onto the poo piles you have at home...if the meat tenderizer and pineapple dont work, try anything citrus based or spicy - chili powder has been one suggestion I've heard over and over.

Are they both well behaved and obedient on commands? Let them out into the yard as usual at home, and as soon as you see one approach a poo pile, give a stern "leave it", or "no", etc., followed by "come" to get them to change interest and come to you. If they don't listen, try having treats on you or a squeaky toy or ball to add interest to you, and take away from the poo pile. Train them on this sort of command every time they go out - that is, dont let them out on their own for bathroom breaks, and if you're going to leave them out a while, be sure to go out with them at first, work with them to leave the poo piles, then pick up any piles in the yard before leaving them.

If they absolutely won't leave poo at home, approach them, get them by the collar, and remove them from the area saying "no", or "leave it" again. You have to be repetitive with this, and make sure they know they're doing wrong. You can start out keeping them on leads if you like, even just letting them drag it around the yard so that its easier to get a hold of them and remove them from the poo area.

As far as the park, I would recommend taking them but keeping them on lead at first, so that you can walk them around, let them get the smell of any piles lying around, see if they're showing interest, but still be able to correct them and (if needed) remove them by pulling them away. Once they are better at home and listen everytime, try letting them off lead at the park and using the same technique.

Be slow and gradual with the process, I totally understand not wanting your dog to go around deciding every bathroom pile is a goodie to be had I hope you can find some deterrant for home to get them off eating it there, and that should help at the park too. Let us know how you get on!

Hey kjd,

I think for some dogs, no grain but plenty of vegetables is perfectly adequate. When I say grains I should specify I'm including both wheat/corn/etc and things like rice and other starches that are good for dogs, especially those with sensitive stomachs, skin problems, or those who have recently undergone surgeries.

Grains and starches are great for coating the GI tract and making the meat and other content of a diet more easily digestible and passable, which is why I do believe they are a good thing to include in at least a proportion of dogs diets. If meat and veggies makes a dog healthy and happy, then no, I wouldnt say theres a need for more grain content. But again, I know a lot of vets who have recommended the grain/carb content to increase after surgeries for easier recoveries when theres a chance of an upset tummy, or for shinier coats/less dry coats/etc.

Overall, its about figuring a diet that works for an individual dog I think meat and veggies is a good one to keep dogs on, like you said, just not a strict meat only diet! Dogs' diets do need to be more balanced than some people realize, but just like people, each one will be different.