Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?

It’s a disgusting behavior and can actually be harmful for your dog. But dogs eating cat poop is a natural instinct. Dogs are scavengers by nature and are attracted to anything with a strong smell. So, if your furry friend is in the habit of having a snack out of the litter box, it’s not something very unusual. However, it is a behavior that should be discouraged.

Why do some dogs eat cat poop?

Corpophagia (the sciency name for eating poop) is sometimes the result of a dietary deficiency. In other words, some dogs eat cat poop because they are drawn to the protein in the feces because their diet is deficient.

However, in most dogs, eating cat poop is simply a natural exploratory behavior. Dogs will explore and eat all sorts of disgusting things like poop, compost, and prey. And it’s not something only the naughtiest dog breeds will do. Any dog breed can develop a habit of eating cat feces.

Eating poop is also a learned behavior from mother dogs who lick their puppies to clean them and ingest stool in the process. As a result, dogs do not think of eating poop as something gross like humans do.

Other reasons why some dogs eat cat poop include:

• Boredom
• Stress
• They like the taste of the fecal matter and keep coming back to the litter box for more
• They want to hide the evidence after an accident inside the house to avoid punishment (puppy training should always be positive reinforcement based and should never involve punishment for accidents)

Can eating cat poop hurt dogs?

Most of the time, your dog eating cat poop will not cause any problems. But the habit can be dangerous and should be discouraged. Your dog can acquire intestinal parasitic infections from the cat feces and litter box. These infections can prove fatal in severe cases. Also, some bacterial infections like salmonella can be transmitted from dogs to humans.

It’s also worth noting that your dog may not show any signs or symptoms of a parasitic infection. Just because your dog looks and acts normal, doesn’t mean there isn’t something going on in the background.

Last but not least, if consumed in large-enough quantities, cat poop and litter can cause intestinal blockage in dogs. If your dog eats cat poop or litter and is having difficulty pooping, you should take him to a vet urgently. Other symptoms to look out for include excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What should I do if my dog eats cat poop and litter?

The easiest way to prevent your dog from eating cat poop and litter is to make the litter box inaccessible. Most people find baby gates to be highly effective. Another option is a covered cat litter box or a dog-proof one that is difficult for your pooch to get into.

If you have neighborhood cats pooping in your yard, it can be more challenging to prevent your dog from eating cat poop. The best way to stop your pooch scavenging cat poop is to prohibit feline entry into your yard. If this is not entirely possible, regular visits to the vet can help to ensure your dog has not contracted a parasitic infection.

Other things you can do to reduce the risk of your dog getting sick from eating cat poop include:

• Keep the cat litter box as clean as possible.
• Make sure your dog is active and engaged, so that he does not engage in undesirable behaviors like eating cat poop out of boredom.
• Check with the vet about your dog’s diet and whether she needs any supplements.

With a little patience, most dogs can give up the bad habit of eating cat poop. If you’re grossed out and frustrated with your dog’s behavior, just remember it’s a natural instinct for your pooch. Also, keep in mind how hard it can be to keep yourself from snacking on treats. This will help you better understand your dog’s cat poop snacking habit and help her overcome it with love and patience.

30 November, 2022