Are you disgusted or worried that your dog may be ill? In this article, we will try to understand the reasons why your dog eats his own faeces or those of other animals and suggest simple solutions.
Definition of coprophagia in dogs
Coprophagia is the behaviour of consuming faeces, either one's own or those of other animals. In dogs, this behaviour can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from natural and instinctive causes to health or behavioural problems. Although coprophagia can be distasteful to pet owners, it is essential to understand the reasons behind this behaviour so that it can be dealt with appropriately and your pet's well-being can be assured.
A dog that eats its own excrement: normal or not?
It is quite common to observe dogs consuming excrement, which is particularly distasteful to the owners. In order to determine whether or not a dog's coprophagia is normal, it is necessary to examine the situation in which it occurs.
In some situations, coprophagia is perfectly normal. For example, a bitch who has just given birth will lick the hindquarters of her puppies and consume their faeces and urine for the first three weeks of their lives. This is because the puppies are not yet able to control their sphincters at birth, and it is the mother's licking that causes the excrement to be removed. Exemplary dedication, isn't it?
Coprophagia is also normal in puppies who start to explore their environment at about 3 to 4 weeks of age. For them, it starts as an innocent game that, like children, leads them to touch everything and put it in their mouths. There is also talk of a possible behaviour linked to the observation of the mother and therefore of an ingestion of excrement by imitation. In any case, without the owner's concern, the puppy's coprophagia should disappear on its own and only become occasional in adulthood.
Among adults, the occasional ingestion of large herbivore faeces (cow dung, horse dung, etc.) is also considered normal. This can be explained by the palatability of these excrements, which stimulates the appetite of our faithful companions, but it can also be considered an instinctive behaviour, as dogs, in their wild state and as carnivores, hunted, among others, herbivores whose intestines they devoured.
When is a dog's coprophagia abnormal?
In fact, if the behaviour is repetitive, a dog eating its own or another dog's faeces is not normal, unless it is occasional and it is consuming another dog's faeces containing food residues. We will explain why in the next section on possible causes of abnormal coprophagia.
Dogs don't just eat excrement! They also like to roll in it!
What should I do if my dog eats its own or other animals' faeces?
The first step is to consult your veterinarian to determine if there is a feeding or digestive problem. If the problem is behavioural, it can be corrected in most cases by re-training your dog. The following tips will require willingness and patience:
What not to do!
You should not be rough, shouting, screaming or putting repellents on the droppings, as this does not solve the problem and may even make the situation worse.
Solutions to adopt!
Distract your dog's walking behaviour by using a long leash and distracting him with a treat when he approaches excrement. Praise him with a treat when he does his business without consuming the faeces. It is important to positively reinforce good behaviour rather than punish bad behaviour.
Train your dog to respond to basic commands, such as 'lead' or 'no'. Use these commands to teach your dog to ignore feces that he encounters.
Clean up the garden or living area regularly to prevent your dog from being tempted to eat the droppings.
Make sure your dog's diet is balanced and of good quality, as poor nutrition can contribute to the problem.
Consider using specific products sold in pet shops or recommended by your vet to discourage your dog from eating its faeces. These products are usually added to the food and make the droppings less palatable to your dog.
If, despite all these measures, your dog continues to eat faeces, it may be worthwhile to consult a dog behaviourist for a personalised rehabilitation plan.
In summary, it is important to understand that coprophagia in dogs is not necessarily a sign of a serious problem. It is essential to consult your vet and implement solutions to prevent this behaviour in order to protect your pet's health and improve your relationship.
