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| Stool Eating |
This unsavory habit, technically called coprophagia, may be due to low production of digestive enzymes and/or a dietary deficiency of trace minerals.
You may not want to accept this, but in some cases coprophagia is considered normal, due to the fact that your dog’s wild ancestors probably did exhibit scavenger-like behavior, including “recycling” of fecal material—their own or someone else’s. It may start as an instinctive act and, depending on your dog’s personal taste preferences (or lack of taste!), can become a natural (albeit nasty) habit. Many dogs raid kitty litter boxes.
If there’s an underlying problem associated with your dog’s coprophagia, the behavior will stop when the problem is resolved. If it’s just a socially unacceptable expression of your dog’s ancestry, your only recourse will be to limit his opportunity to do it. Keep his yard picked up, keep the litter box out of his reach, and when in public places keep him on a leash. (And don’t let him kiss you on the lips!)
To resolve a trace-mineral nutritional deficiency, give powdered kelp (2 tsp mixed with food). Good sources are *Solid Gold Sea Meal.
To resolve a deficiency of digestive enzymes, add digestive enzymes to your animal’s food. Two brands we like are Dr Goodpet’s Enzymes, Prozyme or PetGuard Enzymes. Follow label directions. |
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