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Eating Poop

Behavioral Issues
  • I took my 15 month old basenji for two walks before we left for work today and he did not poop. When I came home at lunch for my normal mid-day walk, I went upstairs to check "his area" (we keep him on a 3' x 4' landing outside of our bedroom with gates on either end and a sheet on the floor). I saw evidence that he definitely pooped while we were gone, but no poop was to be found. I can only assume that he ate it. Is it good/bad/no big deal that he did this? Obviously, I can't correct him when we're not there. This is not a regular occurance for him - he's usually very good about going outside for #2.

  • it's not a good habit. poo can harbor bacteria and other nasties that you don't want your dog ingesting. my mom's dog had this problem… she uses S.E.P. (stop eating poop) by Solid Gold. it's a supplement that you sprinkle in the dog's food, and it does actually work. (some stores carry the Solid Gold line of products, you may not have to order it online)

    Here's a link: http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/products/showproduct.php?id=44&code=670

  • He could have been "hiding" his poop because he knew it was wrong for him to poop indoors. I've read that dogs will do that when they want their poop to be discovered.

  • Do you crate train? Crate training takes advantage of their instinct to not go the bathroom where they sleep. Rye is 5 months and hasn't gone in the crate. Just don't put anything in the crate because they will go the bathroom on that and kick it to the back of the crate. My wife is in an animal care program and her teachers have said that dogs will occasionally eat their poop which won't kill them but obviously isn't good. Just don't let them eat other dogs poop because that’s where they get the bacteria and disease.

  • You know, in a time like this I would just like to think he farted:D

  • One occurence probably isn't a big deal. Many dogs eat their own poop…and while it is rather gross to us, it isn't likely to be unhealthy, unless it has sat in the yard for a long time, or something.

    My guess is that he wanted to clean up his area. Sometimes they "forget" to go on their normal walk, and then they are stuck when we leave the house. So the dog, against his wishes will poop in his area, then want to clean it up. One of our dogs will do this if necessary...and then he will throw it back up...now that is REALLY pleasant to clean up.

  • Do you think the S.E.P. (stop eating poop) by Solid Gold would work to prevent my B from eating poop out of my cat's litter box? I guess I would have to add it to the cat's food??

  • @WeLuvBasenjis:

    Do you think the S.E.P. (stop eating poop) by Solid Gold would work to prevent my B from eating poop out of my cat's litter box? I guess I would have to add it to the cat's food??

    Possibly, but, yes you would have to put it on the cat's food. Dogs like cat poo because it is very rich…you know...what goes in, comes out. The best bet is to put the cat box somewhere the dog can't get to it.

  • @Quercus:

    One occurence probably isn't a big deal. Many dogs eat their own poop…and while it is rather gross to us, it isn't likely to be unhealthy, unless it has sat in the yard for a long time, or something.

    My guess is that he wanted to clean up his area. Sometimes they "forget" to go on their normal walk, and then they are stuck when we leave the house. So the dog, against his wishes will poop in his area, then want to clean it up. One of our dogs will do this if necessary...and then he will throw it back up...now that is REALLY pleasant to clean up.

    OOOOOOHHHHHHH! I guess you've had the pleasurable task, haven't you! (I've had it once or twice myself)

  • I did some reading on the poop eating subject a while back. I have a Dachshund that was constantly eating my poms poop. I did a google on it and found that it could be a habit, an attention getter or hunger. I voted for all three for my pooch but lately she seems to have stopped. My point is that they say it just isn't that uncommon in dogs. Now don't get me wrong…I intervened whenever i saw her doing it because I too think it's gross!
    Now with my puppy basenji, I have to watch the old gal because she doesn't eat the same food and of course since she is a piglet, I am worried that Zuri's poops are going to look mighty yummy to her.

    Brenda

  • Okay, obviously didn't get enough sleep last night w/Kahuna fussing in his crate.
    I had to read that last post twice because I thought it said, "a Dachshund that was constantly eating my MOMs poop."
    LOL ew. ew. I was horrified and speechless, until I re-read the post more slowly.

  • LOL!! I had to re-read that too! (pomeranian poo - hahaha!!!)

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