year old shih tzu

[paulalynn1965]

We just got a year old shih tzu female. She is very loving but there is a problem that I have noticed and was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. She eats her poopoo. Why would she do that?

[paulalynn1965]

Those are some great ideas. Thanks. One of you mentioned bordem and she came from an elderly lady in a retirement home and didn't get alot of outside time. So that could be true too. Or maybe she didn't get fed regularly. I know she is terrified of the outside. We have 2 jack russels and a chocolate lab in the home and she is soooo mellow compared to them. I hope she settles in ok. She has such a sweet lil face. Thanks for all the food ideas, I will give those a try.

[jakesbride110]

My mothers shih-tzu did that every time she would go outside. Some do it out of boredom, some do it supposedly because there are vitamines (yuck) in there poop that their body needs, who knows some just might like it period. I did some research and learned that adding a little bit of pineapple juice to their food or spinach will make it taste horrible. So I told my mother and she tried the pineapple juice and Katie (her shih-tzu) hasn't even sniffed her poop since. It's been a couple of months now and my mother quit putting the pineapple juice in her food, and Katie still doesn't touch it anymore.

[robinfloyd]

We have two shitzus and they both ate poop, the 5 year old out grew it but the 1year old still does it. just be quick and discard it. Maybe yours will out grow it also. There is a spray you can spray on it to discourage them from wanting it.

[Kande]

Shih-Tzus are terrible about that. But as utahmomma said, it won't hurt them. I wouldn't let your dog eat any other dogs feces tho...could get worms. You can feed your dog canned pumpkin. It is good for them, but tastes bitter after digested. That will stop the problem. Hope this helps.

[utahmomma]

Some dogs *love* it.  There are lots of tablets that you can buy at the pet food store to make the poop taste a bit less inviting.  I've also heard of putting Accent (meat tenderizer) in her food.  I have one dog that won't eat her own but will eat the other dogs (gag!)  I have to give the tablets to the other dogs.