Tips for dogs who eat poo

[April2]

Hi! I found this article and wanted to share it with other owners with this problem:

"Does your dog eat feces -- and would you like him to stop?
Try this tip from pet trainer Jan Fennell, author of "The Seven Ages of Man's Best Friend." She says to feed the animal pineapple or zucchini, which evidently makes poop unpalatable.
But why do dogs dine on doo-doo anyway? No one seems to know, but theories abound. Some experts say dogs eat it because they are bored. Others say they need more protein in their diets, or they're mimicking their mothers' work of keeping the nest clean, or they've got pancreatic problems.
In her book, Fennell also notes that it's common puppy behavior. So here's what you do: Put him outside right after feeding him, let him do his business, then take him inside and clean up. (Some experts suggest using a catch word such as "potty" when you put him outside.)
If your dog continues to gross you out with his dubious diet, your best bet is to check with your vet to rule out medical causes, according to an article in AKC Family Dog magazine."

[lynxgal]

What about bunny poo?  We back onto a field/forest area.  We are infested with bunnies.  Our backyard in the spring is filled with bunny balls as well as the field where our dogs get to run.  Our 14 month old Husky/goldendoodle mix seems to love bunny poo.  I have "heard" from others that it is really not good for them and can make them sick.  Anyone here know about that?

[bigrich]

my dog likes baby doo doo whats with that

[Jaybay]

It also helps to do regular Poo Patrol.  If it isn't left outside, they can't get to it and eat it.  :-)

[RuthiePee]

oooh I came on this forum to see if anyone else had this problem! That's great. Pineapple it is then!!

[Between]

Your vet should sell a powder substance that you can sprinkle on their food, and it will give their stool a bad odor to where they are not even slightly interested in eating it. You may be able to buy it from the pet catalogs also.

[Carol Riecker]

I have the same problem with my Boston Terrier, he eats his own poo all the time, I tried the pineapple and that seemed to help a little, but just a clue, do not use canned pineapple, you will get better results if you buy whole pineapple and cut it up, then what I do is give it to him as a after dinner treat, this seems to work best. I think I will try the Zucchini and Pineapple combination, maybe both will stop him all together.
Carol R

[Jaybay]

So many theories about on exactly why dogs eat poo, but I have yet to hear of a conclusive reason.  I read once that cat poo is particularly attractive because cat food is very high in protein, and much of this protein goes right through them and remains in their poo; thus making it a regular treat to dogs.  From Maggie's reaction, I tend to buy into that particular theory!  :-)

[kindergal]

MY dog only likes cat poo also, Jaybaby!!  GROSS!!  I am getting ready to post a question on how to make a ferile cat quit pooing in my mulch!!

[Diane1003]

I know a dog who was rescued from a puppy mill and she would 'clean up' after her puppies so to speak.  She's been out of the puppy mill for at least two years and still eats poo.  

[Jaybay]

That might help if my dog ate her own poo, but she appears to prefer - actually delight in - cat poo.  ACK!  On the rare occasion she snags a cat pile on a walk, the look of pure glee on her face is just priceless.  It's as if she just scarfed a whoe rib eye steak off the grill.  Go figure, huh?  :-)