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Coprophagia (Stool-Eating) in Dogs
Why do dogs eat stools?
While most cases of coprophagia appear to be purely behavioral,
there indeed numerous medical problems that can cause or
contribute to coprophagia. These problems must first be ruled
out before a purely behavioral diagnosis is made.
What are some of the medical causes?
Any medical problem that leads to a decrease in absorption of
nutrients, causes gastrointestinal upset or causes an increase
in the appeal of the dog's stool, could lead to coprophagia. In
addition to a complete physical examination, the puppy's diet
and its stool frequency and consistency should be evaluated.
Stool testing for parasites would be the minimum level of
testing. If the stool is unusually soft or appears to be poorly
digested, additional stool or blood tests may be warranted.
Feeding a poorly digestible diet, underfeeding, and medical
conditions that decrease absorption such as digestive enzyme
deficiencies or parasites, could lead to malnutrition, vitamin
and mineral deficiencies, and therefore an increased appetite
and possibly stool eating. In addition, if the stools contain
large amounts of undigested food material, there is an increased
likelihood that the puppy would eat the stools.
When adult dogs begin to eat stools, it may also be due to
mal-absorption of nutrients or nutritional deficiencies. In
addition, any condition that may cause an increase in appetite,
such as diabetes, Cushing's or thyroid disease, or treatment
with certain drugs such as steroids, may lead to an increase in
stool eating. Some dogs that have been placed on a highly
restrictive or poorly balanced diet may also begin to eat their
stools. It should also be noted that if a dog develops a taste
for a particular dog's stool, that dog should be tested for any
type of condition that might lead to poor digestion of the food
(and therefore excessive food elements remaining in the stool).
What are some the behavioral reasons that a dog or cat might eat
its own stools?
Coprophagia is a common problem of some puppies, which usually
clears up by adulthood. There have been many explanations
suggested for this behavior. When left unsupervised, puppies may
simply begin to investigate, play with, and even eat stools as a
playful or investigative activity. Since coprophagia may attract
a great deal of owner attention, the behavior may be further
reinforced. There may also be an observational component (copy
behavior) since the bitch cleans and ingests the puppy's
excrement in the nest, and puppies may learn to mimic the
behavior of their mothers or playmates who perform this
behavior. The owner that uses the outmoded, inhumane and useless
training technique of "sticking the dog's nose" in its stool
when it has soiled the home may be further encouraging
coprophagia. In adult dogs the innate behavior of grooming and
cleaning newborn puppies and eating their excrement, along with
the well documented fact that dogs tend to be attracted to sniff
and lick infection or discharge of their pack-mates, may explain
some of the motivation for coprophagia. Early intervention can
help reduce the possibility that the behavior will become a
long-term habit.
Why do dogs eat the stools of other animals?
This behavior is akin to scavenging. It is not unusual for dogs
to steal food items, raid garbage cans, and chew on or eat
non-food items that most humans would consider unusual or even
disgusting. Cat feces and those of some other animals often have
enough appealing attributes (odor, texture, taste) to overcome
the fact that they are stools. In fact, stools themselves are
seldom unpleasant to dogs. It is one of the odors that they are
constantly attracted to when investigating their environment.
How can coprophagia be treated?
Coprophagia can best be corrected by preventing access to
stools, by thorough cleaning of the pet's property, and by
constant supervision when the pet is outdoors. At the first
indication of stool sniffing or investigation the dog should be
interrupted with a firm command, punishment device* or a quick
pull on the leash (this is particularly effective for dogs
wearing head halters). If the dog is taught to come to the
owners and sit for a special food treat immediately following
each elimination, the new behavior may become a permanent habit.
Dogs with medical problems should be treated to try and correct
the underlying cause. A change in diet to one that is more
digestible, or one with different protein sources may be useful.
Dogs on restricted calorie diets may do better on a high bulk of
high fiber formula. Some dogs may be improved by adding
supplements to improve nutrient digestion or absorption.
Specifically, the digestive enzymes in the form of meat
tenderizers or food additives may help increase protein
digestion, resulting in a less palatable stool. Other published
remedies that have never been proven to be effective are to add
papaya, yogurt, cottage cheese or Certs® to the dog's food,
which in some way are supposed to impart a less pleasant taste
in the stools. When adding some items to dry dog food, it may be
necessary to moisten the food first and allow the product to sit
on the food for 10 - 15 minutes to increase effectiveness.
Unpleasant tastes are unlikely to be successful unless the
product is suitably noxious as well as odorless (so that the pet
cannot detect its presence in the stool). While the dog is out
of sight, the stool should opened with a plastic utensil, the
taste deterrent inserted into the center and the stool closed
and replaced for the dog to find. Most dogs, however, either
develop a tolerance for the taste, or learn to avoid those
stools that are pretreated. Experimentally, the only form of
taste aversion that is consistently effective is when a food
type is associated with nauseousness. Since most dogs seem to
prefer a well-formed stool, adding sufficient quantities of
stool softeners or bulk laxatives will usually deter most dogs.
* Note from Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital: A squirt bottle may
be used as a humane punishment device.
The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin
any course of treatment without consulting your regular
veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every
12 months.
About the author:
Reprinted with permission from Behavior of Dogs and Cats:
Questions and Answers (McNabb).
Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate,
Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in
Pacifica, California. To find a veterinarian or to learn more
about the vet clinic and our staff,
visit:[http://lindamarvet.com/]
Written by: G. Landsberg, DVM & D. Horwitz, DVM
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