Stool Eating Preventatives

Stool Eating Preventatives

When you're out and about with your dog, the last thing you want to see her do is lustily throw her muzzle down into the grass only to look back at you happily with a giant piece of fecal matter clamped between her jaws. Can you believe she kisses you with that mouth?

The time-honored practice of eating dung is called coprophagia. Dogs are the worst offenders, for what appears to be no other reason than they like to do it. Often the problem may arise during puppyhood as your pet explores the world, then clear up by adulthood with proper nutrition and training. Also, be sure your dog isn't just sniffing and investigating the pile of scat. If it is from another dog or animal, she's likely just "reading the newspaper" and trying to figure out who was where and why. Never push your dog's head into the mess, as this just fosters distrust between you and your pet, and can reinforce negative behaviors.

That's not to say, however, that there can't be an underlying medical cause. Any condition that means nutrients can't be absorbed properly in the body may set off an instinctual desire to find nutrients wherever possible, including your dog's own or another's stool. It may also be a sign of other underlying causes such as diabetes or Cushings disease.

Luckily, supplements from EntirelyPets can help manage this admittedly gross behavior. Chewable tablets can make stool smell less interesting, and therefore less inviting as a snack. Other products like powders can be sprinkled on your dog's food. These are processed through the body like usual and lends what we're told is a very unappetizing taste to fecal matter. Supplemental enzymes can alter the digestive process just enough to change the scent and texture of your pet's stool, making it less appealing.

Never start your pet on a dietary supplement without your veterinarian's guidance. Talk with your vet about your dog's behavior to rule out any medical conditions.