Poop-eating is a nasty habit. It’s unsanitary and disgusting, and it can even lead to health problems and intestinal parasites. If your dog is engaging in this behavior, then you probably want to find a way to stop it as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are several different ways that you can stop your dog from eating poop.
What Causes A Dog To Eat Poop?
There are a number of different reasons why a dog might begin to eat its own feces. Many dog owners believe that it’s simply a behavioral issue. This is likely true in some cases, however, it may also be a sign of an underlying medical problem. If you’ve ruled out any behavioral issues and the problem persists, then it’s a good idea to take your dog to a vet. They can determine if there’s anything physically wrong.
Home Remedies To Stop A Dog From Eating Poop
Thankfully, there are many at-home remedies that you can try before resorting to more extreme measures. These solutions will generally consist of changing the frequency with which your dog defecates. By changing the consistency of the stool, it will often dissuade them from eating it. You can achieve this by adding pumpkin, cottage cheese, or canned dog food to their diet. You can also feed them canned food with pumpkin added.
How To Prevent A Dog From Eating Poop
Prevention is often the best medicine. As such, preventing your dog from eating poop in the first place is often easier than stopping them once they have started. There are a few different methods you can use to help prevent your dog from consuming its own feces.
1. Keep Their Living Environment Clean.
This is the most important preventative measure. If you allow your dog to roam the house, then it’s easy for them to find their own waste. If you confine them to one room, then they’ll be less likely to eat their own poo. This may mean that you have to keep a watchful eye on them, so that they don’t have the opportunity to engage in this nasty behavior.
2. Use Bitter Apple Spray.
Bitter apple spray is a deterrent. Spraying it in areas where you know they like to defecate can help to ensure that they don’t eat it.
3. Use An Elizabethan Collar.
An Elizabethan collar (or “E-collar”) is a type of dog collar that wraps around the head and the neck. It prevents them from being able to access their head and neck.
4. Confine Them To One Area.
Similar to point #1, confining them to a single area can help to prevent them from finding their waste.
Bottom Line
While most of us enjoy spending our time with our pets, there are times when they can be frustrating. This is especially true when it comes to dealing with issues such as this. It’s never fun to come home and find your pet behaving in a way that you don’t like. Luckily, it’s not that difficult to deal with. By following these tips, you’ll soon be able to put an end to this unpleasant behavior.
