5 Proven Reasons Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop
Why do dogs eat cat poop being the most intelligent animals? Well, science responds to this query. In this article, we will try to solve all your queries, so stay connected.
Much to our disgust, dogs will eat all kinds of poop. But why do dogs eat cat poop? Coprophagia among dogs is usually due to a lack of nutrients in their body. Another reason is that dogs, especially pups, are attracted to the protein of cat poop.Poop eating is problematic behavior, but experts say that it’s somewhat normal for canines. Still, it should be discouraged as the dog might contract bacteria and viruses from cat wastes.
Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop and Litter? 5 Reasons
When you own a dog and a cat together, you may notice that your dog is eating cat poop. Poop eating among dogs can be due to a lot of things.
Here are five clinically proven and most common reasons why you’ll catch your doggo scavenging in your kitty’s litter box.
#1. Not enough nutrition
One of the most common reasons why a dog would eat cat poop is lack of nutrition. As a result, the doggo will be forced to scavenge to quell its hunger to the point that it will also eat its poop.
Dogs will even resort to cat litter as a form of survival as their bodies react to various deficiencies. Your dog may need a new diet that’s high in fiber, protein, or fat.
You can also consult the vet to help solve the poop-eating habit.
#2. Boredom and curiosity
Puppies are curious beings. At some point, they will find the litter box and scavenge their way around it. Like babies, pups explore the world around them through their mouths. This could lead to poop eating.
But why does my dog eat cat poop outside? Your dog might be bored, so it’s looking for something to keep itself busy.
Maybe your pup needs more playtime, or you have to take it on longer walks to burn the extra energy.
#3. Undigested protein on cat poop
Cats have a shorter digestive tract and digestive process. Most of the time, their poop will contain undigested proteins that draw dogs closer. Such undigested protein also makes the cat poop appealing to dogs.
It’s possible that the cat poop still tastes and smells like cat food.
#4. Environmental stress
Dogs are sensitive beings, and they can get stressed at the slightest provocation. When they get stressed, they may vent out their anxiety about the cat’s poop.
Extreme stress can push a dog to act strange, including the manifestation of coprophagia.
#5. Medical conditions
Lastly, it’s possible that your dog is suffering from medical attention which makes them more inclined to eat cat poop. Conditions like Cushing’s disease and diabetes mellitus will bring your dogs’ appetite to unusual heights.
This will make them seek anything edible, including your cat’s poop.
Another condition called Pica, or consumption of non-edible items can also be the culprit behind coprophagia. Pica can be due to anemia or liver problems.
Should I Be Worried About My Dog Eating Cat Poop?
Many dogs eat cat poop without experiencing any adverse side effects. Still, it doesn’t erase the fact that cat poop is mired with bacteria and parasites.
If your cat is infected with any parasites, your dog may contract it through poop eating.
When a dog eats cat poop, toxoplasmosis may set in. Toxoplasmosis is a condition caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite that can come from contaminated cat feces. This is transmittable to other animals as well as humans.
A dog can get sick from eating cat poop. Although intestinal blockage is rare, you should still keep an eye on your pooch if it happened to consume cat poop and litter.
Observe your dog within 24 to 72 hours to spot any adverse effects.
Will Eating Cat Poop Hurt My Dog?
This is a common confusion among pet owners. When they notice their dog eating cat poop, they feel worried.
Seeing a dog eat cat poops may seem dirty to you, but do you know your pet may love it?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), dogs are scavengers, so eating poop is natural (though overtly disgusting).
However, it’s not good to let your dog eat cat poop. Cat poop contains a ton of harmful bacteria that can cause significant health issues to your dogs.
This can also cause vomiting in your dogs. If your dogs are addicted to this bad habit, take them to a vet without delay.
How To Stop Dogs From Eating Cat Poop? 6 Tips
Why do dogs eat cat poop, and how to stop it? There are a lot of differences between street dogs and the dog you won. If your dog’s poop eating is becoming rampant, you can do the following to discourage the behavior:
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Ensure a proper diet chart
As we already discussed, your dogs may get interested in eating cat poop because of the nutrition lacking. When your dog is not getting sufficient nutrition from the everyday meal, they may want to eat cat poop.
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Use cat poop deterrent for dogs
A stool deterrent for dogs will help a lot so they wouldn’t touch the litter box. One natural option is to add canned pumpkin to your cat’s meal. It tastes wonderful. It tastes lovely, but it will make their poop smell repulsive. This should stop your dog from its tracks.
You can also purchase a commercially formulated litter box deterrent to keep your dog away.
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Keep the dog tired
A tired dog is a happy dog. Aside from that, they will no longer have the energy to scavenge on your cat’s litter box. This is very helpful for curious pups that mouth everything.
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Clean after your cat
If your dog defies all odds to get into your cat’s poop, you must clean the litter box as soon as your cat finished its business. Then, scoop out the clumps and seal them inside double bags. You can also spray a dog deterrent in the bag just in case your pet decides to go dumpster diving.
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Mix hot sauce or black pepper
This is a technique that you can apply to keep your dog away from cat litter. Add some black pepper and hot sauce to the trash. Your dogs will hate the harsh smell of sauce and black pepper. Thus you can protect it from eating cat poop.
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Leave It command
Make your dog learn the ‘leave it’ command whenever you see your dog intruding on your cat’s privacy and roaming around its place. Do it in a firm tone.
If they respond to your tone, encourage them by offering a treat. in case they don’t listen, call in a loud manner as they do not understand your vocabulary but sense your tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my dog eating cat poop all of a sudden?
Your dog might be stressed or hungry. Consider changing its diet or evaluating the surroundings for potential triggers that make your dog act strange.
Can a dog get sick from eating cat poop?
Yes, dogs can get sick from eating cat poop. It might contract parasites like hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and more from the poop-eating habit. In addition, some dogs who eat a lot of litter together with the poop may experience blockage, especially if the litter has a clumping formula.
Why do dogs eat their own poop?
While dogs may eat cat poop, they can also eat their own excretion. It usually has the same reason as to why they consume cat poop. For example, your dog might be stressed, experiencing deficiencies, or incredibly bored. Please read here how to clean dog poop off shoes.
Will cat food hurt my dog?
Why do dogs eat cat food? Like dog food, your pooch may find cat food palatable. Therefore, consumption of cat food from time to time shouldn’t hurt your dog. However, remember that it’s not made for a dog’s needs, so avoid giving it to your dog. Instead, please read here how to give a dog pill.
What do I do if my dog eats cat poop?
If your dog consumes cat poop, observe it for up to 72 hours. Watch out for abnormal bowel movement and vomiting that could be a sign of infection or stomach upset.
What are the side effects of a dog eating cat poop?
Some dogs may not experience any adverse side effects upon eating cat poop. However, some canines may experience diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, weight loss, and more if they contract infections from the feces.
Why do dogs lick you?
Dogs lick people because they like the salty taste on their skin. For domesticated canines, licking is an affectionate gesture. Dogs also do this to release their stress. Please read here what does it mean when dog licks a cat.
Why do dogs tilt their heads?
A dog’s tilted head is a pretty sight. They do this to locate the source of sound even better. Also, dogs will tilt their heads while staring at us to get a better view of our mouths so they can read our facial cues.
Can dogs get Parvo from eating cat poop?
Yes, dogs can contract Parvovirus from cat poop if the kitty happened to be infected. It’s one of the most common modes of transmission, which pet owners shouldn’t dismiss.
Is cat poop toxic?
Cat poop isn’t supposed to be consumed by any living thing. As a form of waste, it contains loads of bacteria, parasites, and viruses. It may also harbor human-transmissible infection that will cause serious health problems.
Can dogs get tapeworms from eating cat poop?
Yes, cat poop is host to a variety of parasites, including tapeworms. Dogs that contracted tapeworm will have distended abdomen, weight loss, diarrhea, and a slew of other symptoms. Raed more here My Dog Has Tapeworms How Do I Clean My House?
Conclusion
Why do dogs eat cat poop? It could be anything from hunger, stress, boredom, or medical conditions. Whatever the reason, you should discourage the behavior because cat poop contains parasites and bacteria that will compromise your dog’s health and may cause toxoplasmosis.
Having pets is fun and a blessing for you. A healthy dog is your happiness. I hope this article helps you solve all of your queries related to Why do dogs eat cat poop.
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