Introduction
Dogs eating their own poop, or coprophagia, is an unpleasant but common behavior among canines. It can be caused by a variety of factors including boredom, dietary deficiencies, and medical issues. Fortunately, there are several home remedies that you can use to stop this behavior.
Feed Your Dog High-Quality Food
A healthy, balanced diet is essential for any pet. Quality food can provide the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs to stay in good health and prevent them from seeking out alternative sources of nutrition, like their own waste. When choosing a food for your pet, look for one with high-quality ingredients like fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains.
According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian with PetMD, “High quality commercial diets are formulated to provide dogs with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. If your dog’s diet is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, he may turn to his stool as a way to supplement what he is missing.”
Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Physical activity and mental stimulation can go a long way towards keeping your dog healthy and happy. Regular exercise can reduce stress, tire them out, and keep them occupied. This can help prevent them from engaging in undesirable behaviors, such as eating their own poop.
Mental stimulation, such as playing games or teaching them new tricks, can also help keep a dog’s mind active and prevent boredom. Dr. Coates explains, “In addition to providing physical exercise, it’s important to give your pup plenty of mental stimulation, too. Boredom is another possible cause of coprophagia, so make sure your dog has plenty of toys and activities to keep him entertained.”
Clean Up After Your Dog
Cleaning up after your dog is important for many reasons, not least of which is to prevent them from eating their own waste. As soon as your dog has finished defecating, pick up the feces and dispose of it properly. Make sure to use gloves when handling the waste and wash your hands afterwards.
Dr. Coates notes, “It’s important to remove your dog’s stools as soon as possible; if he has access to them, he may be tempted to eat them.”
Make Their Environment Unappealing
Making the area where your dog goes to the bathroom unappealing can also help deter them from eating their own waste. Certain smells and tastes can be used to make the area less inviting. For example, adding a small amount of hot sauce or lemon juice to the feces can make it unappetizing.
Dr. Coates says, “Adding something unpalatable to your dog’s stool can also help discourage this behavior. You can try adding a few drops of hot sauce or lemon juice to the stool each time you clean up after your dog.”
Use Distraction Techniques
Distraction techniques can be an effective way to stop a dog from eating their own waste. Whenever you see your dog sniffing around their feces, call them away or offer them a treat. This will help create a positive association with leaving their waste alone.
Dr. Coates advises, “If you catch your dog trying to eat his stool, distract him with a loud noise or a favorite toy or treat. The goal is to startle him so that he stops the behavior and then reward him for leaving the area.”
Conclusion
Coprophagia, or dogs eating their own poop, is an unpleasant but common behavior. Fortunately, there are several home remedies that you can use to stop this behavior. Feeding your dog high-quality food, increasing exercise and mental stimulation, cleaning up after them, making their environment unappealing, and using distraction techniques can all help keep your pet healthy and happy.
For more information on how to stop your dog from eating their poop, talk to your veterinarian. They can provide further advice and resources to help you and your pet.
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