Have you noticed your furry friend snacking on feline feces whenever they think you’re not looking? Though incredibly disgusting, cat poop is like a tasty treat to some dogs. But why exactly is your canine companion so determined to chow down on cat poo?
Quick Takeaways
- Consuming animal waste is a somewhat normal practice for dogs. Mothers often lick their young to clean them, usually ingesting fecal matter in the process.
- Your dog might be eating cat poop because of the “appetizing” smell, nutritional deficiencies, or boredom.
- The best way to eliminate this bad habit is by keeping the litter box out of the reach of your curious canine.
Keep reading to learn more about this curiously disgusting habit (and how to make them stop eating cat poop!)
See Related: How Hot is Too Hot to Leave a Dog In a Car?
Is It Normal for Dogs to Eat Cat Poop?
In general, yes, it can be considered a normal practice for dogs to eat cat poop. However, take this with a grain of salt – after all, there’s nothing truly normal about willingly consuming animal waste!
When it comes down to it, dogs will be dogs. It is normal for dogs to ingest feces at one point or another in their life. Mothers lick their puppies to keep them clean, and they can consume fecal matter in the process.
Additionally, young puppies are born with very little natural bacteria in their stomach, which is important for digestive health. The quickest way to obtain this healthy bacteria is by eating poop from animals that have this bacteria already in their intestinal tract.
It’s not just cat waste that your canine companion might be interested in eating. When you let them out for a potty break, they might try eating fresh feces from other dogs (or themselves!) That’s just one more reason why it’s well worth it to hire a team of dog waster removers to take care of the mess promptly.
Bonus: What Should I Do If There’s Blood In My Dog’s Stool?
Is Eating Cat Poop Bad for Dogs?
It’s undeniably gross. You probably aren’t too keen on your four-legged friend giving you sloppy kisses after you watched them snack on your cat’s litter box. However, in most cases, eating cat poop isn’t necessarily bad for dogs.
Other times, consuming cat waste can be harmful to dogs. If the cat has intestinal parasites (which don’t always show visible signs) or is taking certain medications, it can end up in their waste. If your dog hungrily chows down on waste with bacteria like salmonella, they can become sick and even transmit it to humans.
Eating a large amount of cat poop can also lead to an upset stomach or an intestinal blockage. Kitty litter is highly absorbent and tends to stick together. When ingested, this can cause inflammation and intestinal blockages in the digestive system.
Reasons Why Dogs Eat Cat Poop
Why do dogs eat cat poop? It’s an intriguing question with a variety of reasons. Keep reading, and we’ll cover some of the most common reasons your furry friend likes eating feline feces.
#1. Smell
Cat feces tend to smell like cat food (for dogs.) Cat food is a mouth-watering meal for many canines.
#2. Diet and Nutrition
Though pretty uncommon, there are a few medical reasons that could be behind this curious behavior.
Malnutrition can cause a dog to satisfy their nutritional needs through unconventional methods (like eating cat poop.) Nutritional deficiencies are more common in dogs that are fed a non-AAFCO-certified or homemade diet. Coprophagia, the medical term for poop-eating, often stems from a lack of certain nutrients.
#3. Boredom
Dogs are scavengers by nature. That can lead to them attempting to eat all sorts of items we humans wouldn’t dream of ingesting. Poop, garbage, rocks, and carpet are all fair game to your four-legged friend.
If your canine companion is lacking physical excessive or mental stimulation, they might turn to their surroundings to stay entertained. If you have a cat, they’ll likely end up sniffing around the kitty litter box for a flavorful treat. They don’t know what’s off-limits and might turn to sneaky tactics to get their paws on these stinky snacks.
What To Do if Your Dog Eats Cat Poop
You’re likely reading this blog because you’ve noticed your furry friend chewing on cat poop when your back was turned. So, what should you do if you catch them in the act?
As always, don’t panic. The first thing you need to consider is your four-legged friend’s health. More than likely, they’ll be fine and just have an upset tummy at the most. However, if your cat has worms or takes medications, you’ll need to monitor your canine companion for abnormal symptoms and potentially visit the vet.
Symptoms to Watch For
Keep an eye out for any of these telling symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Stomach pain
- Low appetite
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet as soon as you can.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Cat Poop
Your four-legged friend might not see anything wrong with their repulsive habit of eating cat poop, but that doesn’t mean you can turn a blind eye. There are a few ways to get them to stop.
The most effective (and most obvious) is to make sure they don’t have easy access to litter boxes. However, that’s not always feasible. Here are a few other tactics to give a go:
- Keep your cat’s litter box away from your dog. Keep litter boxes in a room inaccessible for your furry friend. The solution might be as simple as putting up a safety gate to block their entry.
- Get a dog-proof litter box. These nifty litter boxes usually have a top-only entry that allows your feline friend to come and go but restricts access to your curious canine.
- Keep the litter box consistently clean. It’s an unpleasant task, but it’ll make it hard for your four-legged friend to find cat poop to snack on. Keeping the litter box clean also helps manage the stench, which will also keep your furry friend away.
- Add spicy things to the litter box. Adding black pepper or hot sauce to the litter box may help reduce your dog’s urge to eat out of it. They likely won’t find it appealing anymore when it’s spicy!
- Balance your dog’s diet. A well-balanced diet will give your furry friend all the nutrients they need and reduce the need for them to seek nourishment from cat poop.
- Keep your dog busy. Taking your pup on frequent walks and play sessions will keep their brain distracted from eating cat poop.
Remember – prevention is key!
Final Thoughts
A dog eating cat poop is undeniably gross. But your four-legged friend doesn’t know that! It’s best to help your dog kick this stinky habit as soon as possible so you can get back to enjoying your canine companions’s lovey kisses.
Keep Reading: Why Does My Dog Stare At Me? 6 Possible Reasons Why
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Scoop Masters offers professional dog waste removal services in Tennessee, California, Texas, and Florida. Since 1988, we’ve saved dog owners across the country from the overly unpleasant task of picking up after their pets. Each poopy project we complete gives them the freedom, convenience, and sanitation they deserve! Contact us for a free quote, or simply stock up on enough dog poop bags to keep your pet’s number twos at bay. To stay in the loop, follow up on Facebook and Twitter/X. If your dog can poop it, we can scoop it!
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