How To Stop Your Dog Eating Poo | Pet Health Advice
Why do dogs eat poo?:
PDSA Vet Shauna explains the reasons why some dogs eat poo. Known as ‘coprophagia’, dogs might eat poo for the following reasons:
1) Habit – some dogs start eating poo at a young age, which then becomes a habit.
2) Hunger – some dogs eat poo because they are hungry. This could be because they’re not being fed enough, they have suddenly started doing more exercise, they have a health condition that makes them hungry, or they are taking a medication that increases their appetite.
3) Boredom, stress or anxiety – some dogs eat poo if they are bored, stressed, or anxious, so if it’s a habit that’s developed suddenly or it only happens at certain times, it’s sensible to consider whether it could be linked to any of these factors.
4) Attention – some dogs learn that eating poo gets them attention. If a dog is bored, they might even think being told off is better than getting no attention at all.
5) Medical reasons – it’s rare for a dog to eat poo due to a medical condition or dietary deficiency. However, it’s best to contact your vet if you’re worried, especially if your dog has started doing it suddenly and it’s out of character for them. Make sure to tell your vet about any other symptoms you’ve noticed, such as weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting, or a change in their coat.
6) Mothers and puppies – it’s completely normal for a mother dog to eat their puppies’ poo so this should never be discouraged. Puppies will also sometimes eat their own poo, or their littermates’ poo out of curiosity, but this usually stops with age.
For more advice on how to care for your pet, visit our Pet Health Hub: pdsa.org.uk/phh
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