Eating feces, also known as coprophagia, can be an alarming behavior in dogs. At alphazoo we give you an overview of the possible causes and solutions for this unpleasant problem.

What is coprophagia in dogs?

Coprophagia is the medical term for the behavior in which a dog eats feces. This can include dog feces, cat feces, or other animal feces, and is surprisingly common in dogs.

Why does your dog eat poop?

There are a variety of reasons why dogs eat poop. These can include nutritional deficiencies, parasites, certain diseases, boredom, or simply being attracted to the smell.

Possible health risks

Coprophagy can pose a number of health risks, including the risk of parasite and disease transmission, digestive problems, and in some cases toxicity.

How to recognize when your dog eats poop

If your dog is showing unusual signs such as passing undigested food, fatigue, weight loss, or licking feces, he may be suffering from coprophagia.

Insurmountable? A trip to the vet

If your dog is continually eating feces and won't stop, you should see your veterinarian. They will be able to diagnose and develop a treatment plan.

Treatment options for coprophagia

Treatment will depend on the cause of the poop eating. Supplements, medications, special diets, exercise or – in the case of a disease – specific therapies may be part of the treatment.

Prevention of coprophagia

To prevent coprophagia, it is important to monitor your dog's diet and health, make regular veterinary visits, ensure adequate exercise, and keep the area where your dog does his business clean.

Conclusion

• Coprophagia is a behavior in which dogs eat feces and can have various causes.
• Potential risks of coprophagia include transmission of diseases and parasites, digestive problems, and toxicity.
• If your dog shows signs of coprophagia, a visit to the vet is important.
• Treatment options vary and depend on the cause of the problem.
• The best thing you can do to prevent poop eating is to actively care for your dog's health and well-being.

Contact us at alphazoo if your dog eats feces and you will receive support and helpful advice.