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· 26 Nov 2021

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Why is a dog eating cat poop?

Dogs eating cat poop is not a new occurrence. It's actually a well-known canine behavior that even has a scientific name: coprophagia. But why do the dogs consume cat poop, and what can you do about it?

Why is my dog consuming cat poop?
Coprophagia is a common but unattractive canine activity. To encourage defecation, new canine mothers would kiss their puppies' butts. To preserve the den free and clean of scents that would attract predators, they eat what comes out.

Puppies are prone to attempting to consume practically anything they come across in order to discover whether or not it is a viable source of sustenance. Many puppies outgrow this tendency with time, although it can persist into maturity in some cases.

Cat poop seems to be particularly appealing to dogs. Because the digestive tract of cats is relatively short, the feces they generate may contain undigested nutrients such as protein. I'm guessing that cat poop smells (and tastes) a lot like food to dogs.

Is it true that dogs who eat cat poop are malnourished?
Dogs, on the other hand, do not always consume cat feces. In a small number of situations, health issues may be to blame. Cushing's illness, intestinal malabsorption/maldigestion, and diabetes mellitus can make dogs extremely hungry, and they will consume anything that resembles food.

Another commonly cited reason is that cat-poop-eating dogs' diets are deficient in nutrients. In truth, there isn't much data to back this up, especially if a dog is eating a nutritionally balanced meal prepared from high-quality components in sufficient proportions.

Making an appointment with the veterinarian is a recommended first step if your dog is eating cat excrement. The doctor can identify or eliminate out any dietary or diseases disorders that may be involved, as well as check for any health issues that may arise as a result of this habit.

Is it Possible for Dogs to Get Sick from Consuming Cat Poop?
The most serious health risk associated with a dog ingesting cat excrement is exposure to germs. A lot of bacteria can be found in feces. A dog can become ill from a heavy dosage of Campylobacter, Clostridia, Salmonella, or other disease-causing bacteria present in cat feces. Another potential issue is parasites, some of which have the capacity to traverse species boundaries.

Simply because the cat does not appear to be clinically unwell does not mean that their feces are immune to disease transmission. Although some of the cats are asymptomatic carriers, they nevertheless shed bacteria that can make other people sick.

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Eating Cat Poop
Whereas most dogs who eat cat excrement will not develop problems, it's still a good idea to try to stop them, if only for the "ick" aspect. The most effective technique to prevent dogs from eating cat excrement is to deny them access to it. Place litter boxes where the cat can easily get them but not where your dog can.

Use baby gates, little pet doors, or even litter box "furniture" with small openings in inventive ways. A litter box that is self-cleaning may also be beneficial, though some dogs have learned to raid a box before the washing cycle begins. If your dog is stepping in cat feces in your yard, try changing the areas that attract cats (for example, using gravel instead of wood or sand mulch) or doing more leash walks. Keep some goodies on hand to thank the dog for resisting the impulse to eat any "delicacies" you may come across along the way.