Dog Care
A Dirty Little Habit
Behavior Modification for Dogs Who Eat Feces
As soon as Roscoe the retriever heard the sounds of the resident cat
scratching in the litter box, he made a beeline for the bathroom. There
was nothing he liked better than moist, warm "kitty cookies" fresh from
the cat! Since his follow-up behavior often included planting a big,
wet smelly kiss on his guardian's cheek, this dirty little habit had to
be extinguished ASAP.
Coprophagia, the ingestion of feces by an animal, is quite common in
dogs. Some eat their own stool (autocoprophagia), some eat the stool of
other dogs (intraspecific coprophagia), and some, like Roscoe, eat the
stool of other animals (inter-specific coprophagia). While disgusting
to humans, fresh stool from healthy, domesticated animals is generally
safe to eat. On the other hand, health risks are possible when dogs eat
the feces of wild animals who are infested with internal parasites or
of free-roaming cats who are infected with Toxoplasma gondii.
Unvaccinated dogs are at particular risk for contracting parvovirus or
hepatitis if they eat the stool of infected dogs. Most canine
coprophagics are four to nine months of age and will outgrow the
behavior. However, some dogs find the habit extremely rewarding, making
it difficult to extinguish.
Oh, My! Why?
The "whys" of coprophagia are
many. Historically, dogs have been scavengers, living at the edge of
civilization on the refuse and waste of others. Biologically, the
mother dog stimulates her neonates' elimination by licking their
genital regions and consumes their waste for the first three weeks of
their lives. Normal investigative puppy behavior includes running
nearly everything in the environment through one's mouth. The pup
learns that some things taste better than others. Sometimes, that
investigative behavior draws more owner attention than usual, resulting
in a great game of chase around the house or yard. When coupled with
diarrhea or poor weight gain, coprophagia may be the result of a
medical malady such as pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal infections,
or malabsorption troubles. Luckily, the exact reason why the dog
engages in coprophagia does not need to be determined before a course
of treatment can begin.
Pick a Plan
When signs of ill health are
present, a veterinary workup is necessary. However, most coprophagics
are simply healthy dogs who need a program that combines obedience
training, careful management, environmental enrichment, and, possibly,
a dietary adjustment to achieve success. The treatment plan may vary
depending on whether the dog is consuming his own feces or the feces of
others. For the autocoprophagic, leash walks for elimination are
mandatory. You have to clean up the stool quicker than the dog can eat
it. Use of a head halter will give you control of the dog's head. Teach
the dog to hold a sit and stay a few steps away from the pile so you
can clean up. After you pick up, reward the dog with a high-value treat
before releasing him from the stay. In cases where the dog consumes the
stool while eliminating, a muzzle will be necessary. Change the dog's
diet to one higher in fiber, and feed several small meals a day instead
of one large one.
Dogs who eat the stool of others can be exercised off-lead on their
own fenced property but must be leashed and watched when off the
premises. The handler must scan the ground a few feet ahead of the
dog. When both the dog and the handler spot a pile of feces, utter the
command "Leave it," and reward the dog when he averts his eyes from the
object of desire.
Cat Cookies
Are cat feces your dog's dessert of
choice? Since the dog is rewarded every time he raids the litter box,
managing the situation—putting the box where the dog can't reach
it—will yield success. If your dog respects barriers, gate off one room
for the cat's litter pan. If your dog is large, cut a small opening in
the vanity or linen closet or inside a large cardboard box from an
appliance store, and set the box up inside. Got a dog who's wary of the
bathtub? Take advantage of that repulsion by placing the litter box in
the tub. This solution works for households with small or short-legged
dogs, too.
There may be a boredom component to this problem behavior. Try
enlivening the environment and the dog's role in it by offering meals
stuffed in food-dispensing toys hidden throughout the house or yard.
Engage the dog in active sports such as swimming, agility, or long
hikes in new territory. Time spent enriching your dog's life is never
wasted and may be the final step in breaking this dirty little habit.
