Pups who eat poop

[lola-pup]

I know this isn't really a puppy feeding question, but it seemed best to post this here. I just got a female 10 week brindle pup a week ago and noticed that she will sometimes eat her poop. If you are standing near her the likely hood of her eating it is slim to none, but if she goes when your not around, she'll clean up after herself if you know what I mean. My question is will she grow out of this because I heard that puppies do it as a defense mechanism, or will she forever eat her poop when she is alone? My 9 month boxer never had this problem, so i don't know what to think. If anyone has any insight please post it. It will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

I have never had a dog that ate its own poop. My eldest daughter has a Chow mix that eats the other dogs poop and my youngest daughter has a Daschund/Chihuahua mix that eats its own poop. I really don't know why they do this, the vet told my daughter that if you use a poor grade of food the dog will tend to eat its own poop. This isn't the case with her pup as she feeds it Wellness. The vet gave my daughter some powder stuff to put on the pup's food to make the stool less appealing, you might want to check about that.

 

[Kimber's mom]

hey my puppy eats his too

i asked the vet about it and she said that dogs produce an enzime when there digesting food that ends up in the pile after there done doing there duty sometimes they need that enzime and the only way to get it is to eat there own poop... i dont know if i by that so we just pick up all his mess, we get quart size ziplock bags turn it inside out pick it up and them turn it back the right way zip it and throw it away... this way he cant get to the poop.... if yours keeps doing it ask your vet maybe they have a reason for it?! it just seems kinda weird i know the feeling! you might want to brush your pups teeth too just so that when you get kisses its ummm clean hehe good luck

 

[TractorsMom]

I'm having the same problem with Tractor (8 Weeks) and workign on crate training since I work full time. I am trying the Deter tablets from PetSmart but I think that I wasted my money on them. So far they are not helping at all.

He is eating the Nutro Natural Puppy Kibble now and I watch to make certain he does not get in Zeus' or Keytat's food.

If you find anything that works please post and let me know. I think that Tractors largest problem is boredom. I'm working on him a larger area in my laundry room to stay durning the day so he can have a bit more play room.

 

[Muggsysmommy]

Yeah! Jack is Seven Months and he will eat it right in front of your face and if you yell at him he will eat it faster. My vet said it won't hurt them but you can put meat tenderizor on their food and that should make the poop taste bad. I think it is gross!! I haven't tried the meat tendorizer yet because jack has a sensitive tummy!

 

[TractorsMom]

The Deter tablets make Tractors poop smell really funny to me. I don't think that the meat tenderizor could be worse. YUCK is all I know. Maybe we will figure something out. I'm just glad we aren't the only ones.

 

[Loke]

Loke did that as a puppy and she grew out of it.

Our new puppy, 12 week old Wishbone, does it too. Yuck.

 

[Vapuru]

Leila eats it too.

Leila is eating her poop lately. If I catch her in the act she will eat it faster and runs away. Dpes that cause any health problems for them?? why does she run away?? why does she eats it faster before I can get to her and take away???

 

[kit02]

If I catch her in the act she will eat it faster and runs away.

LOL, Owen does the same thing. I think he thinks its a game b/c its something he knows he's not supposed to have and I must look like I'm going to take it away

Owen is on a natural diet (homecooking) so in his case it has nothing to do with poor diet. He's only done this in the winter (not the summer) - I think they tend to like the "poopsickles" better . He doesn't get sick from it or anything so I don't get too worried about it. I just make sure I keep on top of the clean up.

 

[Ladybug7583]

Whopper does it too

my Whopper does is too.. I'm not sure why but she does... And she is the same way if she see's me coming she gobbles and runs... Now my baby Killer has never done it... I don't think it hurts them so i don't really worry about it...