If you’ve ever seen a dog eat poop you have no doubt wondered why in the world it would do that. If your Bulldog occasionally engages in this disgusting habit be sure it is actually fairly common in all breeds of dog. Coprophagia, as it is known, is usually a sign of underlying nutritional problems or possibly anxiety, so it should be addressed quickly.
In some cases, a hungry dog will eat poop out of necessity. In other cases, dog left in a confined space that isn’t cleaned regularly may engage in this behavior from the instinct to maintain its living space in an orderly way. These issues are easily remedied.
If your dog is well-fed and its living space is properly maintained, the reasons for eating its excrement are more severe. It may be that the dog has worms or other parasites that prevent it from getting the benefit of what it eats, so it remains hungry or lacking in key nutrients. A good veterinarian will be able to check for parasites and cure the problem relatively easy.
Some dogs eat poop to mimic your actions in picking up after them. Remember, they look to you as their leader and may try to copy what you are doing in their own way. Try picking up the yard when they are indoors so they don’t watch what you’re doing. Maybe they’ve seen other dogs eat poop and are giving it a try. If this is the case, the practice won’t last long.
No matter what the cause, it is usually cured fairly easily.
If you find your Bulldog eating feces and you are feeding it properly and cleaning its living space, then give your vet a call for an appointment. Explain the situation and they will check for underlying health issues related to parasites. If parasites are found the vet will prescribe medication and the problem will soon be resolved.
If the tests that the animal doctor does come back negative and your pooch’s diet is adequate, then look for non-physical issues. No doubt your dog’s vet will discuss the possibilities and cures with you.
As we mentioned, clean up the yard when your dog is not watching. Keep its kennel clean. Don’t give it access to poop and it won’t have the opportunity to eat it. With time, it may simply lose interest in this odd habit.
While many dog owners become too psychological about the issue it is best treated like any other behavioral issue. Seek to stop the behavior and reinforce better actions. If you leave dog droppings in the yard for any length of time spray them with bitter or spicy hot sprays designed to deter chewing. They won’t hurt your Bulldog but will act as a deterrent.
Some dog owners find that feeding their pooch a spoonful of pumpkin puree each day changes their palate to the point that poop will taste even worse than you would expect it to taste. If you see them eating poop try spraying them with the hose or a spray bottle and offering a sharp “NO.” They may soon develop an aversion to the practice because of the negative associations.
Coprophagia is a disgusting habit but usually not one that becomes chronic. Removing poop from their environment usually works well. Keep an eye on them when they are running loose at the park or out in the fields, and check this behavior with stern warnings and aversion techniques. Your consistent leadership and direction will eventually put an end to it. In the meantime you may want to eliminate doggy kisses until the problem is resolved.
Jill B