The little guy is eating poop, is it normal?

Brew · #1 10-16-2009, 01:32 PM

I am new to all this but figured I could ask. I have a 5 month old boxer male and he is eating his own poop after he is doing business. Sometimes a little later and sometimes he'll go for it right away. Is it harmful? Is it normal for a little while? Please let me know, thanks!

ehayes21 · #2 10-16-2009, 04:49 PM

No, it's not normal and you shouldn't allow it. It's just not a behavoir you want him to continue. My suggestion is to go ahead and clean up after him when he's done doing his business so it doesn't become a habit. A couple things come to mind...has he been to the vet lately? And what are you feeding the little one?

iluvfrankie · #3 10-18-2009, 08:54 PM

when i first got my little lady from the breeder she did it- i was horrified!!! I asked the vet and he thought that because her diet (breeders one) was so high in meat that she wasnt digesting it properly and what was coming out smelled like meat to her so she ate it. i slowly added kibble to the meat and she soon stopped! Thank god!!

Mesquite · #4 10-22-2009, 02:22 PM

Change his food! I heard a behaviorist say that if the food smells like poop, then the dog won't be able to tell the difference between what he's eating and what's he's pooping, so he'll eat it. You shouldn't have a problem with high quality kibble.

Sansal · #5 11-12-2009, 11:08 AM

There are many reasons why your dog eats the poop. Acutally some dogs just like the taste, which is SO disgusting. My dog Happy (Puggle, 1year, 8 month) eats poop, too. Not her own poop, though. It happens in the dog park. After doing much research, I came to the conclusion that the best way to stop the behavior is prevention and teaching the "leave it" command. Since your dog is eating his own poop you can just pick it up so he won't get a chance to eat it. Happy just had parasites from eating poop - twice in a row. So I can't leave her off leash as much anymore until I have the behavior under control. Hopefully you will be able to discourage him from eating poop while he is still young.

MKAD · #6 11-12-2009, 11:42 AM

When I rescued Sam @ 8 mos old, he was a poo eater. He was neglected & underfed; that was most of the reason (I believe) he ate it. I notice that when I supplement more homecook in his diet- he "recycles" his food. I limit how much homecook he gets and that works well. I also pick up after him & Sally go so there is nothing to tempt him.