Why Do Dogs Eat Poop

Many an onlooker has been grossed out by watching an otherwise charming dog eat their own poop or, even more gross, eat the poop of another dog. While their owners have done their best to prevent their beloved pets from engaging in such stomach-turning activities, some dogs seem to enjoy poop eating anyway. If you've ever wondered why dogs do this, be assured that there are very logical explanations for this behavior.

Veterinarians attribute poop-eating dilemmas as a combination of behavioral, as well as physiological doggie issues. Behaviorally, this is deemed an issue due to what appears to be an eating of evidence. This stems from how the dog was housebroken as a puppy, which may have caused confusion about where they should go to the bathroom. For some dogs, especially puppies, determining whether to  poop indoors on or off of paper, or outdoors is a confusing decision. When the dog finally does decide to go, she or he may feel bad about the possibility of doing so in the wrong place and will, therefore, attempt to hide the evidence by eating it. In these cases, additional study on how to ease the puppy's confusion will help. Or, in older dogs, seeking the advice of a pet behavioral specialist may be in order.

Physiologically speaking, this behavior is commonly attributed to the nutritional value that the dog perceives to be in his or another dog's poop. Food is not always completely digested before it is eliminated and if foods that a puppy normally eats, such as rice or corn, are detected in the poop a puppy's natural reaction is to eat it. When an owner deems this as the reason that a dog or puppy is attracted to a poop snack, there are a few ways that they can end this behavior once and for all.

By making sure that food is properly and completely digested, owners should supplement their dog's food with enzymes that will aid in the process. Enzymes needed can readily be found in papaya extract and meat tenderizers obtained respectively in health food stores and grocery stores. Also, some pet supply stores carry special products that can be mixed into food to assist in full digestion.

Another popular remedy includes coating poop after it has been eliminated with unpleasant tastes provided by ingredients like vinegar or hot sauce. Dogs have been known to be so turned off by these flavors that the problem is easily resolved after a few distasteful encounters. There are also products, such as Solid Gold S.E.P. (Stop Eating Poop), which are specially created to give a dog's poop such a bitter flavor that it will no longer appeal to them. S.E.P. contains yucca to help control odor, while parsley and peppermint help minimize breath odor. Glutamic Acid, when mixed with natural stomach acids, is the key active ingredient that produces a bitter taste when it is eliminated.

Why do dogs eat poop, this is not likely to be a behavior that you wish to see continue. No longer is there a need to witness such unsavory activities. Now, armed with the knowledge of why this may be happening, you are in a better position to approach your best friend's issues and help him to rid himself of this disgusting habit once and for all.