Poo eating problem

RE: Poo eating problem

molladog — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 10:16:59 GMT

My GSD had bouts of Diarrhoea/soft mucous poo and since I changed her to Canagan dry (high meat content grain free) she has been solid. she has never eaten poo though but thought this food may help as has herbs and all natural ingredients.

RE: Poo eating problem

Celine — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 04:38:19 GMT

What about a mechanical way of stopping him eating (I'm thinking a basket muzzle like a Baskerville) They're not perfect (can smush through gaps) but may stop him actually ingesting much. Some people would be funny about their dog wearing a muzzle, not sure how you'd feel about it.

It wouldn't stop the cause (whatever that may be) but it could be a helpful stop-gap until you can figure out another plan!!

RE: Poo eating problem

gemma83 — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 19:14:37 GMT

Nothing I can think of. I changed he's diet 2 months ago so was on Lily's Kitchen and now on Dechra Specific. I changed he's diet due to continuous soft faeces/diarrhoea and hyperactivity. Since being on Specific he doesn't have these crazy moments and stools are normal. He in 7 months old. He will any poo other than his own (this includes horse's poo)

Yes other dog Buzz has been for regular checks as has been treated for panniculitis. The only thing that has changed with Buzz is that he now get wet food as well as the dry.

First time he ate poo - i did reacted to it (wrong thing to do) and have since stopped and am trying to use the commands of 'leave' and 'drop' which we have been progressing with when on a walk, have not tried this yet in the garden - still cleaning up as soon as one of one them goes.

RE: Poo eating problem

PJ Zurawel — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 10:29:07 GMT

Did anything change 2 months ago that might have triggered this behaviour?? It's very unusual for a dog to start doing something just for the sake of doing it. How old is he?? Does he eat his own faeces or just your other dog?? Did something change with the other dog?? Has your other dog been checked over as well just in case??

RE: Poo eating problem

gemma83 — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 19:37:33 GMT

Yeah its a supplement to add to the food so I can add it to his and my other dogs but it will not help with faeces that he eats. His recall is good so he will come back so will help so he doesn't eat it all but stills eats

Maybe with time and more training he will grow out of it. Just frustrating that he has started to do this the last 2 months when he wasn't before

RE: Poo eating problem

PJ Zurawel — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 16:29:28 GMT

I've never heard of copra-nil before is it a food additive?? Because in which case surely that would only work to discourage eating his own faeces as opposed to others??

How good is his recall?? I know that it's hard to know when he's going to do it but possible to call him away from it for a higher reward, you just need to be careful that he doesn't go out looking for faeces in order to get that reward.

Definitely worth trying a change in diet to see if that makes any difference, but otherwise it might be worth seeking out some training classes with someone there that can help.

RE: Poo eating problem

gemma83 — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 16:01:47 GMT

Thanks - yes had a vet check and no concern there (haven't done any bloods test yet) He is in good condition and a good weight. This has been going on for 2 months now and I pick up all the poo asap but he does it on a walk now as well other dogs, cows, horses - he loves it all LOL .

was thinking of trying copra-nil but wondering if it is the diet as this week as starting eating dirt too

RE: Poo eating problem

Alison Clare Hickman — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 15:51:58 GMT

Could be either or medical.

Behavioral problems related to ingestion include those...and non food items (pica) or feces (coprophagia) are eaten. Medical causes should be excluded first. Some dogs that scavenge do so as a normal component of food acquisition and are reinforced by success. Coprophagia may occasionally have a medical cause, but normal maternal behavior includes consumption of feces and urine of young puppies. In addition, as part of exploratory behavior, many dogs are attracted to and may ingest feces, compost, and prey (dead or live). Similarly, although some dogs with pica and polyphagia have compulsive disorders, many dogs, especially puppies, begin to chew and ingest nonfood items as part of investigative and exploratory behavior.

http://www.msdvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/behavioral-problems-of-dogs#v3297341

Suggest medical check up to rule out any issues such as mal-absorption or other medical causes. If non medical cause - but pup is not thriving on new diet, try alternative diet, or if pup is thriving on new diet, suggest behavioural adaption training, or, pup may simply grow out of it, or, more simply, pick up your other dog's faeces before pup has chance to scavenge it (tedious but worth it).

(let us know how you go on)

Ali