It’s an age-old question – why do dogs eat cat poop? The answer is not always as simple as it seems, and the more you know about the reasons behind this very common behavior, the easier it will be to modify your dog’s eating habits to prevent him from eating feces.
Let’s take a look this particular habit may mean for your dog and how you can help him break the habit that becomes too difficult to stop!
Dogs Are Attracted to the Smell
Dogs have a heightened sense of smell, which means they can detect the slightest traces of feces in the air. According to some theories, they are attracted to cat feces.
Other theories indicate that cats mark their territory by urinating and defecating outside their litter box, which also helps explain why dogs may be drawn to these odors.
Why do dogs eat cat poop? Many as 60% of dogs occasionally eat cat poop out of instinct alone. Some dog owners think it’s an acquired taste passed down from generation.
Others believe dogs need more fiber than what is typically found in pet food. The truth behind the matter is most likely multifaceted and will vary depending on the individual dog and its personality traits.
If you’re concerned about your pup eating its feline friend’s excrement, there are a few steps you can take to remedy the problem.
First, ensure both pets have fresh water available at all times.
Second, feed your canine companion healthy snacks such as carrots or green beans instead of dry kibble or canned food.
Third, always provide plenty of opportunities for your pet to play and exercise during the day so they feel energized when not given enough attention.
Finally, keep the litter boxes clean so they don’t emit any scent when needed! There are many reasons why dogs eat cat poop. The answer may surprise you.
Dogs’ noses are very sensitive to smelling trace amounts of fecal matter in the air. Some people think it could be an acquired taste passed down from generation to generation.
The truth is most likely multifaceted and will vary according to each dog’s personality traits.
It’s a Normal Maternal Behavior
Dogs are like any other animal; they instinctively know what to do when caring for their young. One of the ways a dog will take care of its offspring is by cleaning them, including licking and chewing on its fur.
When a dog is pregnant, she may also lick her kittens more than usual because she knows they need more care and attention.
This maternal instinct can also be seen when a mother dog cleans up after her puppies by eating feces to keep the area clean.
A dog’s sense of smell is many times better than ours, so the urine and fecal odor may not seem as bad to them.
Why do dogs eat cat poop? If a dog does eat cat poop, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with him. It’s all about instinct for this type of behavior.
Some experts theorize that if a dog has eaten enough cat feces (e.g., the litter box) over time, he may start to crave it. They may even try to go out into the yard or around your house looking for it.
Another reason dogs might eat cat feces is that they don’t get enough nutrients from their diet and want some variety in their food choices; some of these pets enjoy scavenging for meat, even though it may be rotten or dead animals.
Still, others may eat the poop because they were trained to do so. They may have found it rewarding or gotten an edible reward after going to the bathroom.
Pet owners must recognize that there could be different reasons why their pup goes outside and starts digging around, chases his tail continuously, growls at you when you’re near his food dish, etc.; these behaviors may mean something different.
Knowing why a dog eats cat poop, you’ll be able to figure out how to stop this behavior before it worsens. Most importantly, make sure that your dog gets enough exercise.
Taking him for long walks around the neighborhood is always a great way to wear and tire him out during the day.
Provide plenty of toys and chew toys in your home so that he has things to occupy himself with when you aren’t there. Please notice whether or not he seems bored or lonely during the day.
Medical Reasons
If you’re still wondering, “Why do dogs eat cat poop ?” There are a few medical reasons why dogs might eat cat poop.
Some of them include hypothyroidism, an overproduction of thyroid hormones that can lead to weight gain and hair loss; hyperthyroidism, an underproduction of thyroid hormones that can lead to weight loss and hair growth; or intestinal parasite infection.
Other causes for canine coprophagia may be related to anxiety due to separation anxiety, lack of attention from the owner, or lack of playtime with their owner.
In some cases, dogs will also undergo invisible house training, where they eliminate one area of the house and then wait until their owner comes home before eating it again.
In other cases, a dog will consume a pet’s feces if he has a vitamin deficiency. It’s been said that a lack of taurine or essential fatty acids can cause your dog to turn on its species for sustenance.
Dogs are naturally opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat almost anything, so this isn’t too hard to believe.
To avoid this behavior completely, owners should spend plenty of time playing with their dogs daily to ensure they have enough energy to not resort to these bad habits.
Dogs with anxiety for any reason should see a veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure proper treatment.
If you notice your dog consuming cat feces more than once, contact your vet about what steps you can take to stop this behavior.
When changing to a new diet, gradually transition your pet by mixing the old food into the new one so that he doesn’t experience any stomach pains.
Finally, if you find evidence of another animal’s feces besides your pets, call your vet immediately, as it could signify a parasitic infestation or other health problems.
One way to help prevent this problem in the future is by scooping up your pet’s droppings daily and disposing of them.
For those dogs who refuse to leave alone after a meal, putting deterrents like citrus peels around the areas where they typically eat should work well.
For animals with sensitive stomachs, owners should talk to their veterinarians about dietary supplements that can help without side effects.
Is Cat Poop Bad for Dogs?
The answer to this is complex. Cat feces can carry Toxoplasma gondii, an organism that can cause fatal infections in humans and other mammals.
These infections are rare, but they are more likely to occur among those with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV or AIDS, pregnant women, and immunosuppressed individuals.
In addition, various other parasites can be found in cats’ feces, including Echinococcus granulosis and Ascaris lumbricoides. Dogs may also eat their stool due to the desire for attention from their owner.
Now we’ve answered the question, “Why do dogs eat cat poop?” If you want your dog to stop eating cat poop, giving him plenty of human contact is important.
Additionally, ensure he has plenty of toys and chewable things to keep him occupied. Dogs often need something else to occupy them besides what’s right in front of them.
Sometimes, they need a little extra time spent with their owners daily. Remember that pets crave affection, too.
It is best to spend time with them when they aren’t around food sources like garbage cans and animal droppings.
Give your pet as much love and attention as possible, take walks together every day, and provide them with ample toys and games to play with when they’re alone at home or outside during the day- these activities will help curb your pet’s behavior problem of eating cat poop.
On the other hand, many animals instinctively enjoy dung because of its odor. It contains pheromones that animals excrete to mark their territory.
Therefore, some dogs might be attracted by their smell and taste, thinking another animal is around. However, most dogs are left to scavenge on the street.
To prevent these dogs from getting into the habit of feeding on dung and the risk it poses to them and their surrounding environment, it is advised that owners always supervise their pets while walking them outdoors so they don’t get into any unwanted situations.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Cat Poop?
Dogs are curious creatures, and it’s not uncommon for them to find a pile of cat poop in the backyard and sample it. However, this isn’t just a matter of taste.
Why do dogs eat cat poop? There are many reasons why dogs may want to eat their feline counterparts’ waste. Let’s look at some of the most common causes of this disgusting habit.
First, you’ll want to ensure your dog has plenty of fresh food and water available.
Second, there might be something off with his diet that can be remedied with a change.
Third, he could have an upset stomach that would respond well to medication or something as simple as Pepto-Bismol.
And lastly, he might be trying to tell you something is wrong by eating his feces so that he can bring it to you for inspection and diagnosis.
Dogs use their sense of smell to identify problems, and since their sense of smell is 100 times more powerful than ours, they can easily detect if anything smells out of place.
If your dog suddenly starts eating cat poop regularly, get in touch with your veterinarian immediately because there could be something seriously wrong.
Many of these reasons come from instinct and desire; therefore, a good way to prevent this behavior is by spaying or neutering your dog when he becomes an adult. Keep him occupied with playtime and exercise each day as well.
The less time your dog spends alone without anything else to occupy his mind, the less likely he will be interested in our cats’ waste.
It’s important to note that some foods high in carbohydrates, like grains, potatoes, rice, and wheat, tend to produce excess gas, which could cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
The best thing you can do is pay close attention to what your pet eats and try making changes accordingly.
