I have a 7 month old male Chihuahua, he eats his POOH!!!He...

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Answer by chimama
Submitted on 11/5/2003
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You have a poop eater. You can try using something to stop him eating his poo, I got it from the vet, it is called Forbid or something close to that. It's a powder you sprinkle on their food (I put it on a little piece of bread since I feed dry kibbles only). It makes the poo taste terrible, as if it didn't already. I used this, fed it to my alpha so my beta wouldn't eat her poo, it worked while I was using the powder,but as soon as I stopped she started eating poo again. She never ate her own, only her higher-ranking 'sister'. Now I keep an eye on my alpha, and once she has finished, I remove the poo from her litter tray. If I miss it, I know my beta will come out with poopie breath, which means she gets her teeth brushed. If I catch her at it, I scold her "No Nixie, icky poo poo", remove what's left of the poo and take her into another room. Then she is asked to perform, sit, down, dance, etc. and given a treat and praise "Yes Nixie, good dog, good treat". I don't think neutering him will stop this icky habit, however I do thank you for getting your pet sterilized, it should cut down on 'marking' his territory.

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 5/3/2004
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Thanks for the compliment Zoe, but I wouldn't last long. The first time someone brought their dog in and treated it like 'just a dog' or even worse refused to treat the animal because it was 'too expensive' and told me to just put it down, I'd be in big trouble. I'd have a house full of animals and complaints from bad owners whose animals I confiscated because they didn't deserve them. I think of dogs and cats less as pets than as 'companion animals'. Like human children, they are totally dependent upon us to provide and care for them. When we bring them into our lives and homes, we accept that responsibility to do everything we can for them, no matter the cost or inconvenience. All they ask is to be with us, the least we can do in return for their unconditional love is to provide them with food, shelter and medical care. I really don't understand how a person can think of a dog or cat as a disposable item, to be discarded when it's no longer convenient. It's a living feeling creature, they ask for so little and give so much, they deserve to be treated well.

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 6/17/2004
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There is a powder you can get from your vet that you put on your dogs food, I think it's called Forbid. It makes the poo taste even worse, one taste and the dog won't eat poop anymore. It worked for me as long as I used it on my alpha, but as soon as I stopped using it my beta went back to eating the alpha's poo. It was rather expensive, so now I just monitor the litter tray (both my girls are litter box trained 'cause I live in Minnesota) and remove the poo. You could try spraying the litter with Bitter Apple or some other substance designed to keep dogs from chewing (it's sold at most pet stores). I agree that if the problem is cat poo, use a gate that the cat can get over but the dog can't. Problem solved.

Answer by foxy
Submitted on 1/15/2005
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my chi Vixie eats her poop too, it is normal behaviour for many dogs, somedogs will never do it, some grow out of it and some will do it all their lives. Forbid aparently works well, but i wouldnt worry too much Your best bet would probably be get the pup houseborken so it only poops outside than watch it while its out, once its pooped remove it from the area.. Most poop eaters only do it if they poop in the house (or their den as they think of it) they eat it usually to try and keep the den clean. its not exactly the most pituresque habit but unless you can find something like forbid only housetraining will realy help... however eating cat poop is NOT good, if your cat is an indoor cat and has/is kept up to date on its worm medication then there again istn much problem however the bacteria in the cats poop isnt good for the dog. If the cat is an outdoor cat, it could be passing many different kinds of problmes in its poop which isnt good for the dog.

Answer by Risa
Submitted on 10/25/2005
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Hi, I'm 11 and my yorkie eats poo... Especially cat poo. It means their diet is lacking protein. I read it somewhere. Cat poo is high in protein so thats why they eat it more. The vet said put meat tenderizer on their food and it works, but if you forget he starts to eat it. That's all I know... My dog now eats it in secret because I popped him on the nose when he did it. I have 12 cats and, well, we always forget to put it on their food too. He even eats my poodle's poo! Also, there is nothing we can do about our bird droppings... we have a sack to catch them in, but our yorkie grabs it and runs away. Nudering won't help because Doodles in nudered. So, my answer is meat tenderizer and don't pop your dog, spank it, or whatever. Just say no in a firm strong voice.

Answer by Judy
Submitted on 3/20/2006
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One of my Maltipoos (I have two 15 mos. old sisters) eats her pooh. Two people have told me it is because they are missing some nutrient in their diet. They are very fussy eaters when it comes to kibble but they love various fruits and vegetables: asparagus, baby bok choi, lettuce, AA (a Chinese veg), sweet potato, blue berries, Grapefruit (yes they really love it and oranges too) papaya, banana, plum, kiwi,apples, yogurt and probably some others. Even before they tasted any of these, whenever I would be preparing a fruit or veg, they came over and begged for some. They do not particularly like pineapple, but the answer from shizt licker makes sense. Maybe it is enzymes that they need or maybe there is a different reason for each dog. I will keep trying. We try to catch her before she eats the pooh. It seems she does not eat it right away, but if I do not get rid of it quickly, she will go back and eat it. I will not be putting bitter powder in their food. I do not want to add anything to their food if I do not know what it is. Also we tried a bitter spray on our walls when the puppies where teething and chewed our base boards, door frames and wallboard and it did not deter them. They have pretty well out grown that stage and are maturing nicely now. They are a delight, pooh eaters or not.

Answer by Dogue de bordeaux
Submitted on 10/31/2006
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i know you all heard this before.but i say it again...My 8 months old female Chihuahua Eats her own POOP. Yikes right? oh my believe me i have tried keeping an eye on her more often but not enough i suppose. i'mfeeling guilty coz she used to sleep in our bed,sometimes my sons. Since we could not stop her totally, we have to take precautions... I sometimes see POOP on her bedding, She must have picked it up herself. She has the most sweetest looking & most adorable personality in a chihuahua.Not a Yapper at all.But a poop eater though. I have a mastiff and totally different can't complain. i will try give that (forbid powder)a try & not give up coz she is my responsiblity now,depending on me no matter what she's FAMILY now.

Answer by Bella
Submitted on 4/30/2007
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The subject of dogs that eat their own or other dogs� feces is something that is normally passed over in polite society because we do not like to talk about it. However our sensitivity about the subject is not shared by those dogs that indulge in it. Despite our reticence to talk about it the problem is a common one that may reflect the fact that the dog has evolved from individuals that scavenged around man�s dwellings. Abhorrent to us or not, the behavior is normal and allows food absorption to be maximized which would have a survival value in times of hardship in the wild. We have to bear in mind that for some species, such as rabbits, eating the faces is the normal and necessary secondary stage of the way food is processed. In dogs and some other mammals the behavior is also seen as a manifestation of the maternal instinct for nest cleaning and licking immobile puppies to cause defecation and urination, the consequences of which are consumed. Why particular individuals indulge in the habit of coprophagia despite the fact that their owners provide them with their food has been the subject of several explanations. These include: dietary deficiency; a learnt behavior developed during a period of boredom e.g. during prolonged kenneling in puppy hood; a significantly high incidence has been found in puppies that have had to fend for themselves, strays for example (Serpell and Jagoe 1995). Sometimes the faces seem to have food value because of the richness of the depositor�s diet and/or the fact that not all nutrients have been drawn out during digestion. Perhaps combinations of these are possibilities in different cases. Various ways of overcoming the problem by altering what a dog eats have been advocated. These include changing the diet to one of the premium dried foods. These are processed more easily by the dog�s body before being passed and the resultant faces are less appealing. Various additions to the diet are thought to be helpful, such as pineapple chunks, because of the presence of an enzyme that aids digestion. In many cases adding sterilized bone meal to the diet reduces the attraction of a dog�s faces because they are drier and less palatable. Adding 10% fiber to the diet has also been advocated as a method of controlling the problem - this can be achieved by using a bulkier dry diet or by adding fibrous material such as bran or boiled green vegetables to the normal diet. If your dog has a coprophagic habit you should discuss dietary aspects of this antisocial behavior with your veterinarian in more detail. They will also be able to exclude physical causes for the behavior, an important step if the onset is sudden, and can prescribe some additives for the diet that will make the dog�s own faces less palatable. Whatever the cause of the behavior it is often developed into a worse problem by the owner's response. For example their understandable dislike of their dog�s habit may cause them to rush out into their yard with spade in hand to clear up before their dog can eat what it has passed. From the dog's point of view this may look like competition and some become so determined to beat their owners to it they will eat what they have done as soon as they have done it. The best way to undo this learning at home is to make the act of toileting a prelude to something more interesting to your dog than eating what it has just done. When you let your dog into your yard stand near a window in position where your dog is unable to see you. When your dog relieves itself open the door that will allow it to re-enter your home and as soon as it arrives give it a tidbit reward or some of its daily food allowance, then leave it indoors while you clear the ground outside. After a few repetitions of this your dog should anticipate that as soon as it has relieved itself the door will open and it will receive food thus replacing its interest in what is lying on the ground behind it. Of course, you should not let your dog into your yard if you are unable to supervise unless it is muzzled. If your dog has already developed a tendency to eat the unmentionable as soon as there is any chance that someone may try and clear up you may have to teach it that the sound of the door opening means something pleasant will follow when it enters before you start to teach it this in the context of relieving itself. This method will result in your dog receiving several small meals a day which in itself is a means of addressing the problem because the dog�s interest in faces as a source food should be reduced. Stopping the behavior when it is displayed towards faces deposited by other dogs away from home may be more difficult to achieve and some owners have to rely on the use of a muzzle as a means of preventing their dog feasting whenever it is let off the leash. The increasing social pressure upon dog owners to scoop their dog�s poop and deposit it in an appropriate location should help to reduce the problem. Whenever possible dogs that are coprophagic should be walked where the faces of other dogs are unlikely to be found. In many cases however modifying the behavior can be achieved by repeatedly approaching faces with your dog on a leash, extending leash or long line and throwing down training discs, a rattle can (a sealed tin can with some pebbles in) etc., to inhibit your dog's approach behavior. Eventually it should become suspicions that the training discs or rattle can will arrive as it approaches or shows interest in faces and will avoid them. It is important that you use these techniques to stop your dog from approaching the items because the effectiveness of the learning will be much reduced if they arrive after it has started to consume them. You can also use the �off" technique and clicker training as a means of developing and reinforcing appropriate behavior. A paper presented at the first International Conference on Veterinary Behavioral Medicine discussed the effectiveness of a remote controlled collar that ejects compressed air at the ground as a means of inhibiting dogs from picking up food bits left on the ground. This was found to by highly successful as a means of reducing the dog�s interest in the food baits the researchers had left out (Pageat P. and Tessier Y.). Should such a device ever become commercially available it would have an obvious application as a means of inhibiting coprophagia. Sometimes the use of taste deterrents, such as Tabasco sauce or chili powder is advocated as a means of putting a dog off. The idea is to sprinkle the faces with these so that the dog finds the sensation in its mouth unpleasant when it eats them. This approach tends not to be very successful because dogs have got relatively little sense of taste and their sense of smell allows them to identify which faces to avoid if they are deterred by the taste. � David Appleby 1997

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Question by Patti
Submitted on 11/4/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Chihuahuas Breed-FAQ
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I have a 7 month old male Chihuahua, he eats his POOH!!!He just started this 2 weeks ago. I feed him eukanuba dog food he has been on that since I got him at 8 weeks old.What can I do? I have a female he turns his nose up at her pooh,But a strange dog pooh he will eat! I put a stop to that by watching him when he is outside.I'm going to have him neutered very soon,will that put a stop to this nasty behavior?

Answer by shizt licker
Submitted on 3/20/2004
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I Have a bulldog that eats her own pooh.The vet told me to put pineapple in her feed .

Answer by Zoe,chimama u should be a vet.
Submitted on 4/1/2004
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This is normal for dog its not really bad.They just like eating whats in it.They really don't like eating their own poop.

Answer by chey
Submitted on 5/9/2004
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my chihuahua eats her poop and cats poop too.all chihuahuas will do this and if you try to stop them by spanking them , they will still eat it just hide when they do. its just the dog breed , i asked my vet and a professional dog breeder.

Answer by proud new owner
Submitted on 5/16/2004
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I have the same problem... My 13 week old chi attepmts to eat my cats poo. They vet said that this is very dangerous. If this happens, you must bring your chi to the vet and get some de-worming pills!!!

Answer by bird
Submitted on 5/19/2004
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hay yall, my dog shaker eats pooh but normally dogs would try to hide eating pooh in front of you right? Shaker doesnt' he eats it right in front of you..my dad is getting really mad at him and is starting to leave him outside because he thinks hes really disgustin... what should i do in order to keep shaker from eating pooh and my dad from leaving him outside. hopefully yall have some answers

Answer by new proud owner
Submitted on 6/11/2004
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It's very simple to stop your Chi or any dog from eating poop. If your dog is eating you cat poop, use a baby gate!!!!!!!! They're cheap, and you will not have to worry about you little pups health. You cat will not mind jumping over the gate either. Do not let you animals eat each other poop!

Answer by Fridas mommy
Submitted on 6/21/2004
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My 9 month year old Chi does the same thing... I try to pick up her poop right away, but if i'm not quick enough she'll take a piece with her somewhere private and start nibbling.. that's when I catch her in the act and scold her... but it's no use! she KNOWS she's dissobeying but just keeps on doing it!

Answer by Emma
Submitted on 6/22/2004
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I have a 6 year old Brittany Spaniel (female) who eats her poo as well. I think that this is normal- if she makes a mess in the house (she relieves herself when people visit her- she just gets too excited shakes head. And sometimes she will get sick- yuck). She will always try to clean it up (via eating) so she won't get in trouble. Maybe this goes back to mothers eating birthing remains to disguise the fact that there are defenseless newborns, some sort of instinct, but I wouldn't be terribly worried about it- however, I would think twice before letting your dog give you a kiss.

Answer by pooh eater
Submitted on 8/11/2004
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I'm your Chigaga, Ohh It is so good to resicle. it gives me the chance to use all those vitamins an minerals left over. Just let me keep on doing it auuuuuuuu.

Answer by pooman
Submitted on 12/13/2004
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u smell

Answer by lostintimeuk
Submitted on 2/4/2005
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I have a 4 month old lab and he is constantly eating his own pooh and my other dogs as well. Any suggestions??

Answer by cookie
Submitted on 3/3/2005
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my chi Doe'snot eat dog food we don't know why but he doesn'tcan anybody answer me we need all kinds of answers please.

Answer by mary
Submitted on 3/8/2005
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my golden does that too..in the winter when they are frozen.. like"POOPSICLES' but it is so disgusting and she knows when i catch her that i am mad. i have a screen that i put in the doorway of my spare room where the cats litter boces are cause i caught her eating that too.you know, one of those fancy tall decorative things..i dont know what they are called.. not a sreen screen. it keeps her out of that room.

Answer by jedi
Submitted on 3/11/2005
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my dog wont eat his own only others when i take him to the park i feed him reguarly but he still does it i tried telling him off but he still does it and its costing me a fortune in worming tablets.What can i do?

Answer by edmgirl
Submitted on 3/17/2005
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I just bought a 6 year old female spayed chihuahua.... she eats her poop. i want to know if she could get sick from doing this... and if it is bad for her health... i mean i know its crap... and its her waste but i dunno what to do... and i don't want her to get sick... HELP>

Answer by bob
Submitted on 4/7/2005
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i eat poop to it is great i like my own +

Answer by christy
Submitted on 6/6/2005
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I have a Bull Mastiff Named Gino. He started to eat his pooh about 3 weeks ago. TO stop him I just pick it up right away. I think Gino is eating his pooh because I have been giving him some 100% all natural Lamb Chops. I think hi smells them in the pooh.

Answer by josh
Submitted on 7/28/2005
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my dog eats loads of S@#T and some times put it in sisters room and hits it and it run into and poop on her

Answer by karen
Submitted on 8/10/2005
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My Lab eats my cats poo too! but the cat poos in the garden, therefore making restraint of the dog almost impossible. will it make the dog sick?. the cat is wormed regularly??

Answer by mo
Submitted on 8/29/2005
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I have two Labradors that eat pooh too. The vets says its full of nutrients but that its also habit forming. They don't eat it all the time but sometimes if they are a bit off colour.

Answer by jodie
Submitted on 9/27/2005
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i think that if your dog eats its own poop there is something seriously with the animal kk so i think that u should take it too the vets r something .

Answer by sam
Submitted on 9/30/2005
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does anybody know why my dog eats cat poo?she dosnt touch her own just the cats after she has used the litter tray.

Answer by Dee Dee
Submitted on 9/30/2005
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The reason why dogs eat their own poo and cat poo, they are lacking vitamins. You should never scold your dog for doing this. In Australia we have a thing called thrive D which has the vitamins they are missing.

Answer by xxhunny_babygirlxx
Submitted on 10/9/2005
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my dog eats his poop .hes in his cage most of the time cuz i have to go to school and my mom has to go to work and my sister has to go to school.and den his mouth smells cuz he has hair by his mouth he is a shih-poo what can i do for him to stop??? is there like sum thing dat would make himstop ??like a powder or sumthing??

Answer by panda
Submitted on 10/26/2005
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hi i have a 5 month old shih tzu i don't know what the problem is but he keeps eating his own poo....its been happening for over 2 weeks now and i am getting worried i asked the vet they told me to put pineapple juice in the dog's food i followed the instructions but even worser the dog ate his poo...he found it so tasty he even finished without leaving any spots behind Plz help i don't know what to do thanks

Answer by lori
Submitted on 10/29/2005
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buy some wild forage...it works to stop the problem

Answer by kitkel
Submitted on 11/12/2005
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i have 2 dogs i have treid stuff from th vet but they keep on eating it o well it is good for them right ?

Answer by cherrii
Submitted on 12/12/2005
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dogs eat their poo partly because there are still traces of the food they ate. so they have the mindset that their poo is their food. indigestive system?

Answer by beast
Submitted on 1/3/2006
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My 7-month old just tasted his poo today for the first time in more than 3 months. What's going on?

Answer by Jeh1183
Submitted on 1/6/2006
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My 5 month old chi eats poo and plays with it. If I scold her she gets down on her front paws, wags her tail, grabs the poo and runs. I think she knows it's bad because she likes to wait until I'm in the shower. I've tried spraying the poo with vinegar, which only stopped her once. I suppose if she doesn't mind the poo taste she doesn't mind the vinegar either. Do they outgrow this naughty habit?

Answer by moppy
Submitted on 1/24/2006
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I eat my own pooh too but I am human

Answer by bettypoo
Submitted on 2/2/2006
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I like to eat poo...is their something wrong with that? I mean, I brush my teeth after, so what's the bfd?

Answer by ghdu
Submitted on 2/18/2006
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pooh tastes nice and squishy and tasty and salty and goes very well with pee or ketchup.

Answer by lucky
Submitted on 3/6/2006
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my dog eats his poo and ripes the clothes from the washing line also hell bite any one who comes to clos to him if some one trys to chase him heel jump on you