How To Stop Dogs From Eating Poop: Home Remedies
Updated on April 26, 2023
Ah, the dreaded phrase that no dog owner wants to utter: "My dog ate another's dog poop!" But fear not, fellow pet parent, for the unsavory act of Canine Coprophagia is unfortunately quite common. However, fret not, as we've got the answer to your burning question: "how to stop dogs from eating poop?" And, as a bonus, we'll even provide you with some tried-and-true home remedies to conquer this less-than-pleasant predicament like the champion dog owner that you are.
5 Home Remedies To Stop Dogs From Eating Poop
Let us see below the best home remedies to stop dogs from eating poop.
1. Vitamin And Mineral Supplementation
Before giving your dog any supplement, we advise you to consult your trusted veterinarian. After the review and possibly some studies, the vet will confirm if it is necessary to supplement the diet with vitamins and minerals.
A dog multivitamin could be helpful. Some studies even indicate that those that contain papain, an enzyme that helps digestion, could be what your puppy needs. Talk to the doctor!
2. Use Of Taste-Aversion Products
It may seem to you that there is nothing worse than eating poop, but your dog may enjoy it. So, the ideal is to erase the pleasure. To do this, you can opt for the use of taste-aversion products, products similar to those that are put on children's nails when they bite them.
These products are usually added to food. Being made up of natural and non-toxic ingredients, they do not harm your dog, but only change the taste of their poop. When he tastes it, it will taste bitter or simply ugly, and it is assumed that this would end the problem.
3. Increase Fiber Intake
Dogs are believed to prefer fresh, solid poop (from the day or, at most, from the last 24 hours). Therefore, adding fiber to the diet could help dog feces not be solid and therefore less appealing.
Check out these No Poo Probiotic Treats
4. Change Your Dog's Food
It's time to have a chat with your trusty vet about your furry friend's chow. Is your pup's food suitable for their age, physique, and exercise regimen? Are they chowing down on the proper portions?
If any of these questions give you a negative answer, don't fret - just take your vet's advice and switch up the brand or quantity of their kibble.
Or, if you're feeling fancy and want to get crafty in the kitchen, whip up some homemade dog food that'll have your pup's tail wagging in no time! And, as a bonus, changing up their food might just help curb their poop-eating habit. Win-win, am I right?
Take a look at: How To Make Your Own Sustainable Dog Food At Home
5. Spray Dog Poop With Vinegar
Picture this: you're out for a stroll with your furry companion, and nature calls. You do the responsible thing and reach for a compostable bag, but by the time you turn back around, your pooch has already scarfed down his business. Yuck!
Fear not, fellow dog parent, because we've got a solution that'll have your pup turning up their nose at their own waste.
Whip up a quick concoction of apple cider vinegar and water and give that poop pile a spritz - your pup will be sure to think twice before indulging in their unsavory habit again.
Plus, you'll be able to breathe easy knowing you've nipped that nasty habit in the bud.
Causes Of Canine Coprophagia
This is not the first time we have talked about poop-eating. We've covered it in depth in our article: "My dog ate another's dog poop." If you haven't read it yet, we recommend you visit it.
In general, Coprophagia is more common in multi-dog households. In single-dog homes, according to data published by the American Kennel Club. Usually, feminines are most likely to adopt this behavior.
Take a look at the causes of dog poop eating.
1. Feeding A Poorly Digestible Diet
The quality of your dog's food is one of the causes that can generate dog poop-eating. Quality food contains all the necessary nutrients present in a fully digestible format for your furry friend. Now, when you give him a food whose quality is not adequate, this is not the case.
Low-quality dog food often contains hundreds of filler ingredients that are difficult to digest. Thus, the nutrients pass undigested into the poop and your dog, to recover the nutrients, eats his poop.
Without a doubt, the solution is to buy a better quality canine food that is also suitable for your dog's age. Remember that puppies should not be fed the same as adult dogs or senior dogs, and vice versa.
2. Underfeeding
Imagine you don't eat enough. Imagine that every time you finish eating, you feel like you would eat one more dish. Surely, you would turn to cookies, potato chips, and any other junk food (chocolate, perhaps?) to feel better. Well, your four-legged friend does not have the possibility of resorting to that type of food. So, he eats what he has in front of him: his poop.
As you read, your dog may be eating your feces because he is hungry! If your pup isn't getting enough calories for his age, body, and level of physical activity, Coprophagia may be making an appearance.
You may be interested: How Long After Eating Does A Dog Poop?
3. Decrease Absorption Of Nutrients
In many cases, a dog may start eating poop when digestive enzyme deficiencies or even parasites are present. These two health conditions can lead to malnutrition.
Usually, there are vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This situation increases hunger and an urgent need to recover what was lost. What happens then? Your dog eats the canine waste from him in an attempt to recover nutrients. Of course, this is an unconscious and adaptive reaction.
By eating his poop, which may contain undigested nutrients, he ensures that he gets them back. Isn't that understandable (although it's still unpleasant)?
4. Diseases That Generate An Increase In Appetite
Other times, your furry friend may be getting the right amount of nutrients for his weight, age, and level of physical activity, yet show an unprecedented increase in appetite. It is even possible that you are buying the best food on the market, the one that the veterinarian recommended. So what happens?
Your dog may suffer from a condition that generates an increased appetite... or even a disease that suppresses his appetite. Diabetes, Cushing's disease, thyroid disease, or treatment with steroids can cause a tendency to eat poop.
5. Causes Related To Behavior
Did you know that female dogs often eat the poop of their puppies? Also, those dogs that live with another with incontinence usually do so. It is believed that in both cases it is a way to protect the pack from predators that has been preserved since dogs lived freely.
Now, other causes can affect canine behavior, such as isolation or restrictive confinement. Anxiety, stress and the need to get your attention can also be triggers. It is easy to understand that a dog that spends a lot of time alone, locked up or bored looks for something to do, something that attracts your attention even if it is negative.
Lastly, some dogs confuse their food with their dates. This is a strange and unusual situation that typically occurs when the dog feeds near the area where it defecates.
Read: How To Stop My Dog From Eating Cat Poop?
Try These Home Remedies & Stop Poop-Eating
And there you have it, folks - the ultimate solution to the age-old problem of poop-eating pups! With these simple and effective home remedies, you'll be able to put an end to your furry friend's unsavory habits in no time.
Whether it's changing up their diet, spraying their poop pile with a vinegar solution, or any other helpful tips and tricks, you're sure to find the perfect solution for your pup.
So what are you waiting for? Give these home remedies a try and watch as your pooch turns up their nose at their own waste. Say goodbye to poop-eating for good and hello to a happier, healthier pup!
FAQ
What Home Remedy Can I Use To Stop My Dog From Eating His Poop?
If you're looking for a home remedy to put an end to your dog's poop-eating habit, there are a few different options you can try. One popular remedy is to spray your dog's poop with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water. The strong scent and taste of the vinegar can help deter your pup from indulging in their waste.
Another remedy is to switch to a higher quality dog food that contains all the necessary nutrients in an easily digestible format. This can help ensure that your pup isn't tempted to eat their poop in an attempt to recover missing nutrients.
Additionally, you may want to consider incorporating supplements into your dog's diet, such as digestive enzymes or probiotics, to help improve their digestion and reduce the likelihood of poop-eating.
Remember, every dog is different, so it may take a bit of trial and error to find the right home remedy for your furry friend. And if the problem persists, it's always a good idea to consult with your vet to rule out any underlying medical issues.
Does Vinegar Stop Dogs From Eating Poop?
There is some evidence to suggest that vinegar may be effective in deterring dogs from eating poop, but results can vary from dog to dog. It's important to note that vinegar should be used as a supplement to other methods of preventing poop-eating, such as switching to a higher quality dog food or incorporating supplements into your dog's diet.
What Vitamin Does A Dog Need To Stop Eating Poop?
While there is no single vitamin that can completely stop a dog from eating poop, some vitamin supplements can help improve their digestion and reduce the likelihood of poop-eating behavior.
One such vitamin is Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. Thiamine plays a crucial role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, which can improve a dog's digestion and reduce the likelihood of undigested food particles in their stool.
Another helpful supplement is probiotics, which can improve a dog's gut health and help regulate their digestion. Additionally, digestive enzymes can help break down food more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of undigested nutrients in the stool.
Why Is My Dog Obsessed With Eating Poop?
There are several reasons why dogs may be obsessed with eating poop, a behavior known as coprophagia:
- Nutritional deficiencies: dogs may eat poop to try and recover missing nutrients from their diet.
- Behavioral: dogs may learn this behavior from other dogs or even their owners.
- Stress, anxiety, and boredom: dogs may engage in this behavior as a form of self-soothing or entertainment.
- Medical issues: digestive problems, malabsorption disorders, pancreatic insufficiency, diabetes or thyroid disease, for example.
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Hi Mary Ann,
I would take him to the vet to check that he doesn’t need a vitamin supplement. On the other hand, you can ask your vet for a Taste-Aversion product to add to food, so that poop tastes and smells pretty bad. A little more fiber can make poop less appealing to eat (pups tend to eat just firm poop, not runny poop). Hope that helps!
My 2 frenchies are 6 months one loves to eat poop we sometimes don’t catch him pooping on time . We’re in the midst of training so it’s been a difficult process we take them outside then when they come in they poop on pads ugh how can we stop this we’re in a condo on 2 nD floor the only have access to a patio which is closed do to heat so they have pads
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