Coprophagia in dogs, or “My dog eats his poo”
You notice your dog eating the nice pile of fresh poop he just excreted… Eurk! Do not panic. This problem is quite common in dogs, although it cannot be considered normal. In fact, about 10% of owners complain to veterinarians that their furry friend ingests his excrement, or even that of his congeners. What should be understood and what should be done to manage this disorder? Keep reading to find out.
Coprophagy, normal for certain species?
For some species, this behavior is completely normal and even essential, like the rabbit. The latter must ingest the stool resulting from a first intestinal passage so that his body can properly absorb it. It is therefore completely normal for you to notice that your rabbit eats his loose stools. They are essential to him! Coprophagia in dogs, on the other hand, is not entirely normal. This species, at its best, would be able to absorb all the nutrients in a single intestinal passage, so it would not need to coprophagy. When this behavior is noticed in a dog, there is reason to believe that a health or behavioral disorder is present. The only time when coprophagia is not worrying in this species is when the female dog ensures the cleanliness of her nest by ingesting the urination and excrement of her young following stimulation of the genitals. She is fully responsible for this vital need in her offspring in their first weeks of life, while having the duty to keep her environment clean. Coprophagia is therefore not at all alarming and does not require any environmental or behavioral modification in this context. The same goes for the exploratory behavior of young puppies. Some will be tempted to smell or sometimes eat their excrement out of simple curiosity. With a good education, good prevention and especially by not doing involuntary positive reinforcement when they dwell on their exploratory coprophagia (by giving them attention, for example), in normal times this behavior should subside. over time.
What are the risks associated with coprophagia?
A coprophagous dog is much more likely to catch parasites, either by transmission from other animals or by the fact that insects have laid eggs in the droppings lying around outside. Transmission of viruses like parvovirus is also a common risk for these dogs. Obviously, bad breath, although less dangerous, is still an important consequence for an animal that eats its stool. These inconveniences are why it is essential to determine the source as quickly as possible and to find the most effective treatment according to the situation.
What are the causes?
Before thinking about behavioral disorders, it is essential to review the organic disorders related to coprophagia. Generally, gastrointestinal disorders are the first suspects when evaluating the problem. The body having an inability to properly assimilate nutrients and leaving too much in its path (therefore in the stool), the dog in food deficiency could be inclined to eat its waste to fill this lack. In these digestive disorders, we find parasites, inflammation of the intestine or food intolerance. A polyphagia disorder (excessive hunger) can also be implicated. Never satiated, the dog can turn to its excrement to satisfy its hunger. Various hormonal problems can also be part of the other suspected illnesses. In a case of coprophagia, it is therefore essential to carry out blood, urine or fecal tests to determine if the cause is not organic.
By eliminating these health disorders, we can then assess the behavioral origin. Coprophagia is often a symptom of severe anxiety, disorientation caused by old age, boredom or obsessive compulsive disorder. To evacuate his negative feelings or his repressed energy, the dog turns to his excrement or that of his congeners. Then, inadvertently, the dog may have learned through unintentional positive reinforcement that when he eats his feces, you give him attention. Seeing your dog eat poop makes you react! Sometimes also, an inappropriate correction of the dirtiness can be in cause. By using positive punishment, the dog may develop a fear that his excrement will be noticed even if it is in an appropriate place, so he may eat it to hide it. This is one of the many reasons why positive punishment is very risky to use. As for the triggering factors, they are diverse: a change in routine such as a move, a lack of mental or physical stimulation, old age, a newcomer to the house (animal or human), stress... Sometimes, the dog even eats excrement by simple preference for the taste... It is therefore necessary to go there case by case, because the possible avenues are multiple.
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Methods of correction of coprophagia
One of the most effective behavior therapy methods in this case is operant conditioning with positive reinforcement. When the dog relieves itself and pays no attention to it or just smells it without eating it, we can immediately reward it with an interesting treat. Since we want to increase the likelihood that he won't eat his stool, we reward him when he doesn't. We can also use operant counter-conditioning by calling him to come to us as soon as he relieves himself, and offer him a treat if he obeys our reminder. This method will allow the dog to make the association towards the end of his needs and the return to his master, because there is a more interesting treat than his stools waiting for him. In a case of prevention in a dog that is not coprophagic, we could teach him by operant conditioning to come and join us when he finishes his needs, quite simply.
Make environmental changes to put the odds in your favor
Combining environmental modifications with therapy will be necessary to manage this problem. For example, the dog should be leashed in unfamiliar places and the droppings should be picked up as quickly as possible. When he is with other dogs, he will have to be watched constantly to act quickly if one of his congeners relieves himself. If the dog is tempted by the litter, it will then be necessary to be strategic and to determine a place that is difficult for the dog to access but accessible to the cat, while doing the maintenance of the box very regularly. When supervision cannot be as careful, a basket muzzle could help make it more difficult for the dog. Then, the most important point, as much for prevention as for cure, is physical and mental stimulation! By spending his energy, the dog frees himself from the tensions that result from his anxiety, boredom or OCD. Offering him interactive toys when his masters are away, a daily walk to stimulate his sense of smell and a game of ball game (for example) to exert himself physically should double the chances of successful therapy. behavioral.
Your right arm: Supplements against coprophagia!
Supplements are also sold to control coprophagic disorders. However, they must be combined with elements of behavioral therapies in order to be at their most effective. Some treats are specialized to alter the taste of stool, such as charcoal biscuits. Some chewy treats containing parsley, mint, chamomile and probiotics can help a lot too. At Jardin des Animaux, we have the Brad Pattison Wellness brand that makes this kind of supplement. Yucca Schidigera extract is also known to perform this function, as it decreases the production of aromatic metabolites involved in sulfuric odors from excrement. Find this product in our homeopathic product display. In addition, calming pheromones can help reduce the dog's anxiety, thus alleviating its tendency to eat its stool. For a dog, this product is called Adaptil. Then, in severe cases, anxiolytics can be prescribed by the veterinarian.
In short, although coprophagia is a behavior that may be repugnant to some, it is not to be ignored because it can be a symptom of a physical or psychological suffering disorder, without forgetting that eating excrement can be very harmful to the animal's metabolism. It is better to settle coprophagia quickly so that it does not result in other complications!
