I know this is gross but. . .
- Thread starter abhouse
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Yep, it's gross - but it's also reasonably common, so don't panic 
Puppies sometimes do eat their own poop (sometimes other dogs' too) and many eat cat poop if they can get it. Not sure if there's a definitive answer as to why, but one theory is that it's the protein in the poop that is attractive. Sometimes feeding a higher quality food can help - higher quality ingredients are usually more easily digested, meaning there's less protein etc expelled as waste, which in turn means the poop is less attractive to eat... It doesn't work in all cases but it does work often enough to make it certainly worth a try (if he's not already on a super-premium kibble, that is). Raw feeding is another option - I've yet to hear of a raw fed dog eating its own poop :D
If none of the above works, there are products around that you can put in their food that supposedly make it unattractive to eat. I'm afraid that doesn't work in all cases either though.
In the meantime, and possibly as the long term solution, I'd suggest picking up and disposing of his poop before he gets the chance to eat it. Grossness aside, eating poop is a highly effective way for a pup to pick up and spread parasites and other nasties (including to you). Good luck
Puppies sometimes do eat their own poop (sometimes other dogs' too) and many eat cat poop if they can get it. Not sure if there's a definitive answer as to why, but one theory is that it's the protein in the poop that is attractive. Sometimes feeding a higher quality food can help - higher quality ingredients are usually more easily digested, meaning there's less protein etc expelled as waste, which in turn means the poop is less attractive to eat... It doesn't work in all cases but it does work often enough to make it certainly worth a try (if he's not already on a super-premium kibble, that is). Raw feeding is another option - I've yet to hear of a raw fed dog eating its own poop :D
If none of the above works, there are products around that you can put in their food that supposedly make it unattractive to eat. I'm afraid that doesn't work in all cases either though.
In the meantime, and possibly as the long term solution, I'd suggest picking up and disposing of his poop before he gets the chance to eat it. Grossness aside, eating poop is a highly effective way for a pup to pick up and spread parasites and other nasties (including to you). Good luck
stop eating poop!
There is a powder you can get from your vet called "forbid". sounds scary, but it isnt. You put it on the food of whoever's poop is being eaten (usually a cat's, but sometimes their own). You do this for about 5 days, letting the dog try to eat the poop. It tastes so gross to them (I dont know why it tastes so great in the first place) that they train themselves to stop. It works great. Good luck!
There is a powder you can get from your vet called "forbid". sounds scary, but it isnt. You put it on the food of whoever's poop is being eaten (usually a cat's, but sometimes their own). You do this for about 5 days, letting the dog try to eat the poop. It tastes so gross to them (I dont know why it tastes so great in the first place) that they train themselves to stop. It works great. Good luck!
Tigger-Roo
Boxer Pal
Eating cat poop!!
What can we do if our 6 month old, Tigger, is eating the neighbors' cats' poop??? It's terrible and I can't exactly add the recommended powder to other people's animals.
Thanks for any advice,
Lelly and Tigger-Roo
What can we do if our 6 month old, Tigger, is eating the neighbors' cats' poop??? It's terrible and I can't exactly add the recommended powder to other people's animals.
Thanks for any advice,
Lelly and Tigger-Roo
Tigger-Roo
Boxer Pal
Eating cat poop!!
The cats (plural) are coming into our yard. The're outdoor cats and the owners don't tend to them other than feeding them. I can't ask them to come into our yard to clean up after their cats. For one, they will not do it and think I'm crazy. Around here, no one cleans up after their cats and very few clean up after their dogs. It's really annoying. I don't want to have to give Tigger anything but he can't play in his yard unsupervised because he'll end up eating cat poop. Even when I walk him on a leash around the corners of our property I end up having to stop him from eating cat poop.
Thanks,
The cats (plural) are coming into our yard. The're outdoor cats and the owners don't tend to them other than feeding them. I can't ask them to come into our yard to clean up after their cats. For one, they will not do it and think I'm crazy. Around here, no one cleans up after their cats and very few clean up after their dogs. It's really annoying. I don't want to have to give Tigger anything but he can't play in his yard unsupervised because he'll end up eating cat poop. Even when I walk him on a leash around the corners of our property I end up having to stop him from eating cat poop.
Thanks,
It's always annoying when others don't clean up after their pets. If there's nothing you can do about that, I'd suggest picking up the poop in your yard yourself (even if it's come from someone else's animal). At least then Tigger gets the use of your yard, and you don't need to worry about him picking up parasites etc from eating poop
Another thing you could think of is trying to make your yard less attractive as a toilet for cats. Cats like access to earth to bury their waste in, preferably nice soft easily dug earth... Could you lay grass or gravel chips in their chosen areas instead?
Another thing you could think of is trying to make your yard less attractive as a toilet for cats. Cats like access to earth to bury their waste in, preferably nice soft easily dug earth... Could you lay grass or gravel chips in their chosen areas instead?
Tigger-Roo
Boxer Pal
cat poop eating...
I've tried picking up the neighbors' cats' poop but it seems to be everywhere. There's one house in front of ours that is feeding about 5 cats all of which are outdoor strays. I always thought cats liked to dig and cover their "stuff" and had a cat of my own who always did that. These just leave it all over the grass and some like to do it in our mulch beds. It's terrible.
I've tried picking up the neighbors' cats' poop but it seems to be everywhere. There's one house in front of ours that is feeding about 5 cats all of which are outdoor strays. I always thought cats liked to dig and cover their "stuff" and had a cat of my own who always did that. These just leave it all over the grass and some like to do it in our mulch beds. It's terrible.
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