feces

My beagle dog often eats her own feces, what is causing this and what can be done about it/meds?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

There are many causes for a dog to ingest her own feces.  Common causes may include inadequate digestive enzymes and/or decreased beneficial flora in the gut, or  gastrointestinal parasites.  However, some dogs simply like the taste.

Ask your vet if a broad spectrum medication, such as Drontal Plus for GI parasites would help.

You could also try giving her a probiotic such as Culturelle or Align, which are available over the counter.  Begin with 1/4 of an adult human dose and gradually increase to a whole human dose.  If she gets a loose stool drop her back down.  Beneficial change to the gut flora takes 4 to 6 weeks, so don't get discouraged.

If she has acquired a taste for her feces you can sprinkle her dog food with Accent or other meat tenderizer for a few days.  Meat tenderizer imparts an unpleasant taste to the feces.  Alternatively or simultaneously, you could sprinkle her feces with red hot chili pepper sauce or other taste deterrent for a several days.  This may have to be repeated occasionally.

[Margot49]

Oh, don't you love it!!!  Like Dr. Cheng said, can be many reasons.  I've heard adding pineapple can deter them from eating poopsicles too.