McCauley Animal Clinic & New Melle Animal Hospital
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HELP!! My Dog Eats Poop!!

5/19/2016

1 Comment

 
Oh, GROSS!  Why do dogs eat poop?!  
This is a common question and complaint we hear from clients.  Technically, feces-eating is called copraphagia, and about 1 in 6 dogs are regular stool eaters.  There are several theories of why dogs eat poop--one that seems probable is "instinctual scavenging".  Fecal matter contains nutrients and sometimes bits of undigested food.  Dogs have a "scavenging" instinct that has allowed their ancestors to survive in scarce times.  So, when your dog wants to "snack" on some stool, it's only following its instinct to survive!  But, it's still gross to us humans, and the behavior can spread intestinal parasites among pets.
So, what can one do?  Unfortunately, not much.  Anti-copraphagia food additives are pretty ineffective, and scolding your dog for eating poop can drive him to become more sneaky.  The best deterrent is keeping the yard cleaned up of feces, watching/leashing your dog when it goes potty and then distracting him away.

1 Comment
Monica link
9/5/2016 02:37:21 am

my pup likes goose poop when we are at the lake on our daily walk - my other older dogs do not bother with it, but the puppy loves it - I am attempting to bring treats with me and blowing a whistle to call her over and rewarding her - hoping that over time she will prefer the high value treats I bring over the goose poop. Yuck!

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McCauley Animal Clinic

Phone: (636) 300-0200
4646 Mid Rivers Mall Dr
Cottleville, MO 63376
Fax: (636) 329-0058
mccauleyac@gmail.com

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Mon., Tues. & Thurs.: 8am - 7*pm
Wed. & Friday: 8am - 5pm
Saturday: 9am- 1pm
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New Melle Animal Hospital

Phone: (636) 398-5566
3519 Hwy. F, PO Box 247
​Defiance
, MO 63341
Fax: (636) 828-4252
newmelleanimalhospital@gmail.com

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Hours of Operation

Weekdays- 9am - 5pm
Sat 9am- 12pm
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In Case of Emergency


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  • McCauley Animal Clinic
    • Contact Us
    • After Hours Emergency
  • Meet the Team
    • Meet the McCauley Team
    • Meet the New Melle Team
  • Our Services
  • Client Center
    • First Time Client
    • Pet Care Packages
    • Educational Resources
    • Forms
    • Petly
  • Our Blog
  • New Melle Animal Hospital
    • Contact Us
    • After Hours Emergency