Homemade Dog Treat Recipe
A fun and tasty peanut-butter dog treat that’s cheap, easy and delicious!
Understanding Coprophagia
What is coprophagia?
Coprophagia is normal in dogs in specific situations. It is a behavioral problem that can be successfully eliminated at home with the use of For-Bid®, and consistent behavior modification training. Female dogs will eat their pup’s feces to keep their environment clean. This behavior is geared towards preventing unhygienic conditions from developing in a pup’s environment. Coprophagia is very common in puppies that go through an oral stage, in which they taste everything that is nearby, including stool. Nonetheless, with older puppies, coprophagia should cease as the puppy gravitates more towards his food bowl, and decides that his own food tastes better. Most puppies will have outgrown coprophagia by their first year. With that said, adult dogs should have no interest in eating their stool. Yet, there are certain contributing factors in a dog’s environment that may predispose our furry best friends to coprophagia.
Environmental Factors Contributing To Coprophagia
There may be a few factors that operate together that contribute to stool eating. It’s always best to first consult with your Veterinarian to get expert advice. It’s also necessary to first rule out any medical conditions, prior to examining the behavioral contributing factors that may be playing a critical role in your dog’s poop eating.
- Behavioral condition that could be reinforced unintentionally by the dog parent making a big fuss every time Fido consumes stool or eats another dog’s poop.
- Medical conditions that will result in a decrease in the absorption of nutrients such as a gastrointestinal upset, parasites and mineral deficiencies.
- Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid problems and treatments with steroids may result in your dog eating his stool.
- Your dog’s diet is inadequate and lacking in nutrients. In this instance, your dog may eat another dog’s stool that is high in undigested nutrients.
- High-protein diet that is difficult to digest.
- Lack of environmental stimuli and exercise.
- Lack of supervision-your dog has ample opportunity to continue this behavior, and is not being prevented ahead of time from doing so.
- Feeding schedule is not constant, and your dog is fed at different times each day.
- Puppies have watched their mother’s eating their stool, and are imitating this behavior.
- No consistent and early intervention. No Veterinary contact to address the issue of coprophagia.
Why is Your Dog Attracted To Feces From Other Dogs and Pets?
Dogs enjoy prowling for food, and will do so in garbage bins often eating non-food items that seem totally unappetizing to us. They also will eat guinea pig, rabbit and horse droppings, and cat feces because the smell, texture and taste appeals to them. If your pooch happens to find the droppings of a herbivore delightful, it’s because of his cravings for digested vegetation. This would be the ideal time to examine your dog’s diet, and contact your Veterinarian to discuss a dietary change for Fido.
