As unappetizing as it sounds to us, coprophagia, or eating feces, is quite natural for dogs. Any dog will tell you that cat feces are among the tastiest morsels around.
Causes
One accepted theory on why dogs eat feces hearkens to their canine ancestors. The theory maintains that wild canids (foxes, coyotes, and wolves) fighting for survival recycled undigested nutrients by gobbling up their bowel movements.
Other theories focus on such medical conditions as intestinal malabsorption syndrome, hyperthyroidism, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s syndrome, or behavior problems related to boredom or confinement in close quarters. Once it’s an established behavior, coprophagia is a difficult habit to break.
What you can do at home
Several remedies may help discourage your pet from indulging in this natural delicacy. Forbid is a product that garners mixed reviews. When sprinkled on your dog’s food, it makes stools less appetizing.
Other additives that may improve digestion or cut your pet’s craving include crushed pineapple, B-complex vitamins, unseasoned meat tenderizers, sauerkraut, canned pumpkin, or canned spinach. However, there are no scientific studies to support the effectiveness of these remedies.
Poop is one treat that’s hard to hide. But you can limit access to your pet’s stinky snacks by picking up yard waste daily and keeping the cat’s litter box clean and out of reach. And if you spot your pet scavenging for stools, distract him with other activities, such as playing catch or going for a walk, to alleviate his boredom.
When to call the veterinarian
Stool snacking is more than aesthetically unpleasant. It’s also a sure-fire way to transmit internal parasites. Your veterinarian will recommend routine fecal checks to identify parasites or diagnose medical conditions behind your pet’s embarrassing behavior. Some diseases or corticosteroid treatment can overstimulate your pet’s appetite and make anything—even excrement—as appealing as a juicy steak. So don’t just assume you’re only dealing with a behavior problem.
What the veterinarian will do
Your veterinarian will take a thorough medical history, perform a complete physical examination, and inspect fecal samples under a microscope. If the doctor suspects diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, intestinal malabsorption syndrome, hyperthyroidism, or EPI, your dog also will need blood and urine tests.
If the veterinarian suspects that tapeworms are causing your pet to pig out on poop, he or she may opt to treat your dog even if no worm segments show up in the fecal sample. When internal parasites are the culprit, the doctor will administer a dewormer.
Your veterinarian may recommend a different diet and suggest foods that are highly digestible and high in fiber—some dogs are less likely to eat their feces when fed these types of food.
For most dogs, coprophagia is just nature showing its ugly side. Your only recourse may be daily walks through your yard with a pooper scooper.
