This dog article will answer the main question, “Why does my dog eat my other dog’s poop?” we will also cover whether it is normal for your dog to eat other dogs’ poop, the problems responsible for poop eating, and how to stop your dog from eating other dogs’ poop.
Why does my dog eat my other dog’s poop?
Your dog eats another dog’s poop because of nutritional deficiency. This is called pica in which the dog will eat non-food items such as wood, poop, and stones. This is due to phosphorus deficiency in the body. There are also some behavioral problems that lead to this behavior of your dog.
Is it normal for your dog to eat the poop of the other dogs in the house?
Yes, it is normal for your dog to eat the poop of the other dogs in the house. Following are the normal reasons for dogs eating poop:
Basic Instinct
This is the basic instinct of the dog because when the puppies are born, their mother use to feed on the poop of their puppies in order to clean the den. The puppies will also follow the same behavior by following their mother.
Puppies will eat for up to nine months and will not eat afterward. You should note this down because after that it will be a problem if your dog will eat other dogs’ poop.
Exploring
Dogs are explorers, they will smell and taste everything that is new to them. They will also smell the poop and will try to eat it. Although it is not a healthy habit, it is in the genes of your dog.
You should clean the poop so that your adult dog might not eat it, otherwise, it can cause several infections in your dog if your dog ate too much of the poop for a longer period of time.
What are the problems that cause your dog to eat the poop of the other dogs?
Following are the problems that cause the dog to eat the poop of the other dogs:
Nutritional deficiency
Nutritional deficiency is a big problem in your dog. Nutritional deficiency is due to many minerals and vitamins in the food. If there is a certain vitamin or a mineral absent in the food for a longer period of time, it can lead to a deficiency of that mineral or vitamin.
Dog confined in a small area
If you have confined your dog to a small area, it will eat its poop due to the poop lying nearby. The dog will try to clean its poop because it wants to clean its den. You should provide a large space for your dog so that your dog can freely move in it.
Training problems
If your dog is not trained properly, it will eat poop. Proper training discipline your dog but a lack of training develops certain bad habits in your dog. Bad habits can lead to poop-eating problems in your dog.
Medical conditions
There are certain medical conditions in which your dog will eat poop. Worm infestation is one of the medical conditions in which your dog will eat the poop of the other dogs. You should call your vet if you see your dog eating soil, stones, and poop. This might be due to the worm infestation in your dog.
Following are the major clinical signs of worm infestation in your dog:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Eating soil
- Eating poop
- Weakness
What are the bad effects of consuming the poop of other dogs?
Following are the bad effects of consuming the poop of the other dogs:
Infection
There are several bacteria in the poop of the dog. If your dog eats other dogs’ poop it will contract certain deadly bacteria in it. These bacteria will cause major health problems in your dog.
Worms
If other dogs have worm eggs in the poop, your dog can also ingest the worm eggs in the poop. The eggs will hatch in the intestine and will cause severe gastrointestinal upset in your dog.
How can you stop your dog from eating other dogs’ poop?
Following are the ways by which you can stop your dog from eating poop:
- You can train your dog not to eat poop.
- You should provide a balanced diet to your dog.
- You should clean up the poop immediately after your dog passes it.
- You should give a large space to your dog.
- You should remove all sources of stress for your dog.
Conclusion
In this dog article, we answered the main question, “Why does my dog eat my other dog’s poop?” we discussed whether it is normal for your dog to eat another dog’s poop, the problems responsible for poop eating, and how to stop your dog from eating other dog’s poop.
