Petfinder.com forums :: View topic

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:49 am Post subject: I need Help.. Puppy is eating Poo

Ok.. Hubby is having a fit, and says I need to find a way to stop this.. I have heard that Dachshunds have been know to eat their own Poo.. We in the 20 years that we have owed Doxies have never had this problem until now... Our 6 month old Doxie tries to eat his Poo and the 3 month old's Poo... What can I do... as I said my Hubby is having a fit..

Please someone have an answer..
Thanks

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:55 am Post subject:

Is your dog in a crate? That could be ONE reason...

Why does the dog engage in this habit? A dog may ingest fecal matter for various reasons:

He may be hungry and has no access to real food.

You may be feeding a food lacking in sufficient nutrients and/or not appropriate for your particular dog.

When a dog is fed low-quality and/or inappropriate dog food, he feels compelled to eat more of it in an attempt to satisfy his body's craving for nutrients. As a result, the dog is ingesting excess food, and a large proportion of the food goes through his digestive system undigested. The resulting stools smell and look fairly close to the food that the dog previously consumed, so the dog tries to consume the 'food' again. This is not just a vulgar habit; it is a cry for health. The dog needs a better diet that will enable him to absorb the nutrients his body needs.

When dogs consume feces from other animals, they may be seeking minerals lacking in their regular dog food.

The dog may be consuming feces out of boredom, loneliness, anxiety or stress.

A dog who is confined to a kennel, chained, or restricted to a small yard or other space may eat his feces to occupy himself or clean his personal space. This dog needs to be exercised and played with several times a day.

Some breeds instinctively like to carry things in their mouths. Picking up feces and carrying it around may signal that the dog needs more daily exercise, mental stimulation and interaction with his people.

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_PoopEating.php

Solutions:

* Change the dog's diet. Buy or prepare only nutritious, quality food that is formulated for the dog's age, breed and any medical issues.

* For the dog who may be hungry, try feeding him a little more, and make sure you feed a quality, nutritious food that is appropriate for the age and type of canine.

* Take the dog to your veterinarian for an examination for underlying medical and health problems, parasites and other problems that may be compelling him to eat feces.

* Clean up after your pet, right after he goes - before he has a chance to eat his poop. Stopping access is one key to stopping this habit.

* Walk the dog on leash so that you are in a better position to tell the dog 'leave it' and to physically keep the dog from trying to sniff and eat stools. Always praise your dog for listening. You can also reinforce the verbal praise with tidbits carried in a pouch.

If a pup or dog is pooping in his crate, make sure he gets more exercise and has the chance to eliminate before placing him in his crate

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:55 am Post subject:

Ok Here goes..lol..

Crate.
He is crated only at night, and if I cannot keep close eye on him such as when I shower or run to grocery.. I never leave him longer than 1 hour in crate during day..

Hungry..
I leave food out all the time, he never eats a huge amount at one time.. This is something I have always done with my other Dachshunds..

Vet Check..
My Vet has checked him out thoroughly and has told me this seams to happen a lot with Dachshunds..My Vet has 2 Doxies and says he has a problem with his doing this also...

Exercise ..
Believe me he gets plenty..LOL.. I am worn out..

Food ..
Well that is something I am trying to decide on.. He is still on Puppy Chow that the breeder used .. I have NEVER fed Puppy chow before.. I have always used Hills Science Diet(but reading on a post here, it seams that is not a good food either..) I am really lost on what to use now..

Walking on leash..
This may sound crazy but he will not go on a leash.. we built a exercise pen, and he will only go in there.. you can walk him forever and he will not go..

I was hoping that there was something to put in his food or something someone had tried that they could suggest...

Really thank you.. I am just in hopes that this is something I can break him of.. Since he likes to give Kisses so much..That is why Hubby is freaking out..

Thanks,

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:

I have a dog that likes to do this also (but she only goes for our other dog's waste). Some just do this, and while there are theories, no one really knows why for sure.

The best thing you can do to stop it is to pick it up right away. I also use the 'drop it' and 'leave it' cues with my dog, in case she finds it before I do. These commands come in handy for many things.

You may want to try a higher quality food that produces less waste, to see if that helps with this (and for other health reasons). Sometimes, as 2sun said, dogs are attracted to the undigested material, but not always. I feed raw, and we just have little tiny poops, but that doesn't stop my dog.

There are things you can mix in the food to make the waste unpalatable, but I don't know how well they work. I've been told that crushed pineapple can work. For me, trying to keep it picked up and addressing the behavior with training has worked best.

Edited to add:
Oh, one other thing...you may have better luck by not free-feeding, because at least you'll have them on a potty schedule and it will be easier for you to keep it picked up.

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:11 pm Post subject:

I second what Twopups said. Just pick it up everytime, or you can use my method. Teach the leave it command, then stare at them while they potty and yell LEAVE IT at the top of your lungs everytime he makes an attempt.
*Hint* Picking it up everytime is easier on the vocal cords.

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject:

I actually prefer the repetition method: "Leave it...leeeeeave it...uh huh...DROP IT!!!...leave it...look, there's daddy with a treat!!!" Smile

Back to the OP...is your husband having a problem with this for sanitary reasons? He does know that even if your dog stops eating waste, he still...ahem...licks himself, and also eats bugs and other cool stuff, right? (I try not to think about it much!) Maybe you can help hubby train your dog to only give kisses in acceptable places - like on a forearm. That might make him more comfortable while you work to get the other issue under control.

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input.. I have went to Pet Supply and purchased Wellness Puppy Food, I am working on switching over.. and also will try the Pineapple ..LOL..Can't hurt....
We have just been Saying NO when he goes for it, and then cleaning up ASAP...

Thanks again,
Wink

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:04 pm Post subject:

Two of my dogs were poop eaters, one of them so severely as to poop and to turn around and eat. I tried vet's suggestion on using a lot of different things - commercial products like "Defer", meat tenderizer, etc. And I was a firm believer of rotating different brands of food, and no food made them stop eating the poop.

They stopped eating poop a month or so after their diet has been changed to RBM diet. This coincided with a theory I happened to learn about (out of oh so many) quite accidentally. It's not only the nutrients and minerals, but also some bacteria they are lacking, and that's what I believe now.

Anyhow, if you are able to, give a RMB diet a try since it offers many other benefits.

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:22 pm Post subject:

Here are two good articles on Coprophagia (the technical term for poop-eating). Smile

http://www.vetinfo.com/deatpoop.html

https://app.vetconnect.com/5min/data/00300031.htm

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:31 am Post subject:

Petfinder.com forums Forum Index -> Public Forums -> Pet Care -> I need Help.. Puppy is eating Poo

	Petfinder.com forums Forum Index -> Public Forums -> Pet Care -> I need Help.. Puppy is eating Poo	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1