Dogs have long been dubbed "Man's Best Friend," but man's best friend tends to have some pretty gross habits. One of the worst may be eating feces, whether it be their own or that of other animals. There are many reasons why dogs do it, from characteristics of the particular breed to lack of nutrition. Whatever the reason is, though, there are several ways to keep dogs from doing this.
Things You'll Need
- Dog Food
- Leash
Instructions
Adjust the dog's diet. Make sure your dog is eating healthy food designed for his age group (puppy, adult, senior). Many dogs eat feces because of a lack of the proper nutrients in their food.
Increase the amount you feed your dog. Some dogs seem to be constantly hungry. If the dog is still hungry when he goes outside, he may try to eat feces it finds to fill his stomach. More food may help.
Keep your dog on a leash. Your dog will need plenty of exercise (especially if you are increasing the amount of food she is consuming), and doing so on a leash will allow you to control where she goes and what she smells and eats. While walking your dog, discourage her from eating poop if you come across it. This will help enforce the notion that eating feces is a no-no.
Pick up your dog's poop immediately. This will keep his play area clean, and also keep him from eating it.
If you're concerned, take your animal to the vet. She may have some sort of health issue that the vet will be able to diagnose. Or the vet may tell you that feces eating is common in her breed.