Why do dogs eat cat poop?

Many dog owners are shocked and worried when this happens to their dogs. But the reality is that it’s a common, and very natural behavior. Coprophagia is the official name for eating poop. There are many causes and solutions.

If you’ve ever found yourself in the unenviable position of having a pup snacking from the litter box, you’ve come to the right place. Find out why dogs eat cat urine, what puppies do it, and how you can stop your dog.

There are many reasons why cats poop is eaten by dogs

Ok, so, you caught Fido snacking from the cat’s litter box again. What does this all mean? Why do dogs eat cat poop? It’s a frustrating – and frankly, gross – situation with various potential causes.

The good news is that, while it’s pretty disgusting by human standards, it is quite normal in dog circles, and a natural canine behavior in the wild. Here are some possible causes your dog may be doing this.

Taste

Before we dive into more complex or scientific causes of why your dog eats cat poop, we’ll start with taste.

Cats eat a diet that’s higher in protein and fat than dogs do. Cats absorb most of the fat and protein, but some can expel it in their poop, which can make them very attractive to you. Also, artificial flavors in cat food may pass into cat’s poop. This means, cat’s poop basically tastes similar to cat food.

Curiosity

Doggos are always getting into things that they shouldn’t – the garbage, litter box, flowers’ beds. They live in a sensory world where their senses of smell lead them into all sorts of mischief.

Ron Burgundy, Legendary Anchorman and Cat Poop Expert, said it best: “Cat poop.” “stings the nostrils”. Canines may find the powerful scent of cat poop appealing.

Deficiencies

Dogs eating cat poop may be due to medical reasons. deficiency in their own diet. Dogs who might have a deficiency may find their poop attractive because cats eat a high-protein diet.

Wild dogs have been known to eat the poop from herbivores to supplement their diets with vitamins they wouldn’t otherwise get.

You may want to take your dog to the vet if he eats cat poop often. It could be something simple to remedy, like improving the quality of your dog’s diet. It may be more complex, such as an issue with your dog’s diet. inability to absorb certain nutrients.

It’s important to have your pooch checked out to make sure that they are living the healthiest life possible. It is possible to ignore a deficiency and cause other problems later on. Fido not eating poop is a treatment for the symptom.

Boredom

Boredom can be overcome by a dog who is bored. Boredom is usually overcome by them engaging in mischief, such as eating cat poop.

Stress or anxiety

Dogs can be extremely sensitive. A dog that is severely reprimanded for a small accident on the carpet can develop a trauma response to poop by trying to ‘hide the evidence’ by eating it. Dogs that are stressed or afraid may try to get your attention by acting out.

Pica

Pica is an animal disorder that causes animals to eat non-traditional food items. We’re not talking about chewing shoes here. We’re talking about chewing and swallowing shoes. You can also use rocks, wool, socks, or any other non-food item. Poop included.

My dog is eating poop!

Adult dogs are curious. Puppy curiosity is fifty times greater than adult dogs. Puppy development is based on their sense of smell and taste. Poop is a good example of both these criteria.

Dogs are just like toddlers who eat everything that comes their way, and so are puppies. Puppies are known for chewing on everything.

How to stop your dog eating cat poop

Whatever the reason is that your dog is eating cat poop, it’s a behavior that needs to be stopped. It’s not only gross for you, but it can also be dangerous for your dog over the long-term.

Cat litter should not be consumed by dogs. It can cause severe intestinal obstructions over time. Clumping litter is especially dangerous. Your dog will be fine if he has ingested some, but you should be aware of any changes in his poop.

Another reason to make sure your dog doesn’t eat cat poop is because it can contain harmful bacteria or parasites. This is less of a concern for indoor cats as they aren’t encountering any bacteria or parasites that the doggo isn’t already exposed to in the home. Can dogs get worms eating cat poop. You bet!

How do you stop your cat from eating your dog’s cat poop?

Beat boredom

Bored dogs will find entertainment. This often means that they will snack on the litter box. You can prevent this from happening by making sure your dog is engaged with stimulating toys and other activities.

Regular exercise, snuffle toys, and treat-dispensing toys will ensure your pooch is well stimulated and out of trouble.

Prevent access

If your dog can’t stop eating cat poop, the most obvious-sounding solution is to make it harder for your dog to access the cat poop.

This can be done by making sure that your litter box is as clean as possible. When your cat is done, make sure you clean up the litter box before your dog can. That said, we also understand that you’re not always home or able to clean up promptly.

You might consider buying a dog-proof litterbox that is designed to protect your dog from poop. A self-cleaning litterbox that automatically cleans up after your dog poop can be removed is another option.

Training

You must ensure that your dog is well-trained and responsive to commands. ‘leave it’ is essential. Next time you’re out on a walk and Fido finds a cat poop (or anything you don’t want him to eat), you can ensure it isn’t consumed.

Proper nutrition

Always ensure you purchase the highest quality dog food you can afford. High-quality food ensures that your dog gets a balanced diet with high-quality ingredients.

It is important to ensure that your dog’s nutritional needs are met. This will help reduce the temptation for your dog, who may then go foraging for feces.

Deterrents

There are many products available that can be used to keep your dog from eating cat poop. Sprays can be used around the litter box to repel dogs with an unpleasant odor.

Another option is a stool deterrent, which is ingested and acted as a deterrent by making the cat’s poop less appealing for dogs.

Home remedies to stop your cat from eating your dog’s cat poop

Some home remedy suggestions include common household ingredients to alter the taste of your cat’s poop so it isn’t as appealing to your dog. These include supplementing your cat’s diet with pineapple.

Pineapple is generally harmless to cats, but be aware of possible allergic reactions. Sir Pounce might have trouble getting pineapple to eat since cats are carnivores. We suggest that you use dried pineapple and crush it into your cat’s food.

Other suggestions include options that will deter your dog from the cat’s litter box. To repel dogs, you can use hot sauce or black pepper in the litter. However, cats may not like the smell of a spicy toilet.

Final thoughts

Dogs bring joy and love to your life. Their loyal nature, steadfast companionship, and goofy nature will ensure there’s never a dull or lonely moment in your life.

Sometimes, they can bring strange and perplexing behaviors into your otherwise normal world. Although you may initially be horrified by the behavior, once you understand the cause, you can tackle it head-on.

There are solutions and you can overcome this problem. A visit to the vet will first rule out any dietary deficiencies. This will ensure that your dog is well fed and healthy.

Once you’ve ruled that out, you can tackle modifying the behavior in a number of ways.

Good luck!