What Does It Mean When Your Dog Eats Poop?

Dogs eating poop is a revolting subject, but unfortunately it is a pretty common problem that needs to be addressed.

Coprophagia is the eating of stool. For the most part, deficiency in vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes are a large component of this occurrence. This is why you will see dogs scarf down rabbit poop, because rabbit poop is a very rich source of not only enzymes, but also B vitamins. Intestinal malabsorption and GI parasites are also common medical reasons underlying coprophagia.

Dry dog food diets often lack the digestive enzymes that dogs need and as a result become enzyme deficient.

Some dogs eat poop because they are feeling anxious or stressed. This is especially prevalent in kenneled dogs, puppy mill dogs, breeding dogs.

For some dogs it is a learned behavior. Older dogs encourage younger dogs to pick up the nasty habit.

Suggestions for Owners of Coprophagic Pets
• Feed a diet containing human-grade (preferably unprocessed) protein and supplement with probiotics and digestive enzymes to help curb your pet’s urge to find gross sources of free enzymes around the yard or in the litter box. We highly recommend Young Living’s Essentialzymes-4, Mineral Essence, MultiGreens, or NingXia Red. Contact Karen at 1love4dogs@gmail.com for more information about ordering any of these products.
• Pick up your dog’s feces immediately, as soon after he eliminates as possible.
• If you have cats, get a self-cleaning litter box, place the box in a location in your home where your dog can’t get to it, or consider purchasing or making a dog-resistant litter box. We also recommend you improve your kitty’s diet and add digestive enzymes and probiotics at meal time to make your cat’s poop less appealing to your dog.
• Make sure your dog has toys that stimulate his brain and alleviate boredom. Also insure he is well exercised. Bored, sedentary dogs tend to develop far stranger behaviors and habits than dogs who get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
• Essential oils such as Juniper, Spearmint, Tarragon, and Vetiver have been known to help. Young Living’s therapeutic grade oils can be ingested so you can put them on your dog’s food, put into pill capsules to give to your dog or pet them onto your dog.

To learn more about natural remedies for your dog’s health and wellness, join us for our FREE Dogs and Oils Class on Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m. at 3890 Walnut Ave. Chino 91710. Be sure to park out front and walk through the main gate to the Dog Training office. RSVP by emailing thebestdog@verizon.net