Say goodbye to the yucky sight of your furry friend chowing down on poop! Coprophagia, or the act of dogs eating faeces, is a common problem that many pet owners face. While it may not pose a threat when dogs only eat their own poop, munching on other dogs’ faeces can put their health at risk.
But don’t despair, there’s hope! We’ve got the skinny on “What to put in dog food to stop eating poop?” From proven remedies to innovative solutions, this article will guide you in the quest to keep your pup’s mouth clean and healthy. So buckle up, grab some kibble, and let’s get started on this journey to put an end to Coprophagia!
What to Put in Dog Food to Stop Eating Poop?
Witnessing your own dog eating poop feels very disgusting. The smell, shape, and faeces themselves are very disgusting. However, our dogs seem to be interested in it. Most dogs don’t hesitate to feast on their own poop. As mentioned above, this phenomenon is Coprophagia.
Following are some of the ingredients that can be put in your dog’s food to stop eating poop:
1. Meat Tenderizers:
Dogs are attracted to meat, and providing them with enough meat may reduce their interest in eating their own poop. By mixing some meat tenderizers into your furry friend’s food, their stomach will absorb all the protein present in the food. So, when your dog poops, their faeces won’t be full of proteins which usually tastes good for your dog. Meat tenderizer is also known for having a digestive enzyme, Papain, that usually makes poop taste awful. Therefore, reducing the chances of your dog eating it again.
2. Pumpkin:
Pumpkin naturally has a lot of fibre, which can help make the poop less appealing to your dog. It is advisable to add a few pieces to your dog’s food regularly. The beta-carotene compound in pumpkin (what gives pumpkin the distinct orange colour) is one of the important components of a pumpkin that can make a dog’s poop taste horrible.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar:
The acidic background of vinegar will make the poop taste really bad and will reduce the chances of your dog eating poop in the future. You can add it to your dog’s food on a regular basis until your dog stops eating poop.
4. Enzyme Supplements:
Such supplements help to break down a dog’s poop quickly and thereby making it less appealing for your dog. One good example would include Papaya Enzymes. The digestive enzyme supplement will improve the breakdown of food in your dog’s digestive system, it has two important functions:
- Your dog’s faeces will not be containing any undigested food which is often found attractive by dogs.
- This efficient food breakdown will allow your dog’s stomach to absorb all the nutrients. Therefore, your dog won’t suffer nutritional deficiencies that can make them eat its own poop.
Disturbing Facts on Dogs Who Eat Poop
- 92% of poop eaters prefer poop that’s only 1-2 days old.
- Dogs do not prefer soft, poorly formed faeces. They prefer harder or even frozen faeces.
- Poop eaters are no harder to house train than any other dogs.
- 85 per cent of dog poop eaters will not eat their own faeces, only poop from other dogs.
- Coprophagia is more common in multi-dog households (compare to 20% in single-dog homes vs. 33% in homes with 3+ dogs).
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
Eating poop is gross! So why do dogs eat poop in the first place? Below are some of the reasons why dogs tend to eat poop:
1. Nutritional deficiencies:
Dogs tend to eat poop when their stable diet lack’s essential vitamins and minerals. However, even those dogs with a proper diet can are tempted to taste some of their own poop regularly. This cancels out anything wrong with their diet. They might just be curious or have a powerful sense of smell.
2. It’s Natural:
Mother dog eats their puppies’ poop during their stages of life. This is done to keep them clean. However, when these puppies grow up they should avoid eating other animals’ poop as it may contain viruses or other parasites.
3. Isolation:
Dogs if left alone, they tend to eat poop for more extended periods.
4. Taste:
Dogs may simply eat poop as they may be attracted to its smell or taste. While there’s no specific explanation as to why they like their own waste material, many vets believe that they tend to smell traces of undigested food in their poop, which appeals to their sense of smell.
5. Attention:
Dogs will eat their poop to gain the attention of their owners, which may instigate them to react to such behavior.
How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop?
Watching dogs eat poop is not a pleasant experience, and it can be dangerous for your dog in the long term if it eats too much. Following are a few things that you can follow to resent your dog from eating poop:
1. Always keep Your Dog on a Leash:
Keep a grip on your dog, you will be able to keep your dog away from poop.
2. Provide Healthy Food to Your Dog:
The first step to avoiding your dog eating poop is to provide enough nutrition in its diet so that it does not have to eat its poop. Food should contain all the essential nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy.
3. Avoid Harsh Punishment:
Punishment can obviously bring in behavioural change. But, only in the short term, it can worsen the relationship between you and your dog.
4. Consult your Vet:
Your Vet can help bring the necessary changes in your dog’s diet or What to put in dog food to stop eating poop. To also check the possibilities of any specific illness or sickness which is causing your dog to eat poop.
FAQs
Does broccoli stop dogs from eating poop?
Yes, broccoli is an effective way of altering the taste of dog faeces. Such green vegetables generally help to worsen the poop smell and taste, thereby reducing the chances of your dog eating poop.
How much pineapple should I give my dog to stop eating poop?
A few slices of Pineapple will be just enough for your furry friend. You can try making different recipes of pineapple to make it more attractive for your dog to eat more pineapple.
What can I put in my dog’s food to stop him from eating poop?
In general, it is recommended to give pumpkin, green vegetables, apple cider vinegar, meat tenderizer, and digestive supplements. These items will reduce the chances of your dog eating poop in the foreseeable future.
Conclusion:
I hope your doubt regarding “What to put in dog food to stop eating poop?” has been answered through this article.
By giving the above-mentioned items, your dog will sooner or later stop eating poop. However, it requires time and consistency. Try more wet food to improve your dog’s digestion process. However, remember, giving vitamins and other supplements in excess may harm your furry friend in the long term. Thus, it is recommended to also take advice from your vet.
References:
- Staff, A. (2022, June 29). Why Dogs Eat Poop and How to Stop It. American Kennel Club. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-dogs-eat-poop/
- Munson, O. (2022, July 15). Why do dogs eat poop and how you can get your pet to stop. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://phys.org/news/2022-07-dogs-poop-pet.html
- Coprophagia (Poop-Eating). (n.d.). The Anti-Cruelty Society. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from https://anticruelty.org/pet-library/coprophagia-poop-eating
