No one knows why dogs eat cat poop. Some folks think it is because they lack some element in their diet, such as fiber or enzymes. Others believe that dogs just like the taste of cat poop. Whatever the reason, this isn’t something you should let your pup get away with! Here’s why…
Why do dogs eat cat poop?
Dogs can get parasites from consuming cat feces. In addition, the eggs of some intestinal parasites can be found in cat poop. So if a dog eats enough eggs, it could cause them to become infected! Plus, there are other diseases that dogs can get if they lick up cat poop.
DIARRHEA AND VOMITING
Some dogs develop diarrhea when they eat cat poop. This can lead to vomiting and a loss of nutrients. In some cases, the feces comes back up with the vomit, so it’s also disgusting in addition to being an unpleasant sight!
Dogs could accidentally eat cat poop when outside because cats bury their waste. Then if a dog digs it up, they could end up eating it. It’s not unusual for dogs to eat poop if given the opportunity.
CAT POOP PARTIES
Some people think that dogs roll in cat feces on purpose to mask their scent from other animals. If this is true, then why do dogs sometimes eat it too? Dogs may be simply licking the feces off their coats and end up ingesting some of it.
Dogs sometimes eat cat poop because it smells like food, or maybe they just like the taste! It’s also possible that dogs eat cat poop because they are copying their mothers; it is instinctive for all puppies to do this when they are young so their mother will regurgitate food for them.
Most dogs grow out of this, but some continue doing it well into adulthood. The riskiest time to have a cat poop party is during the socialization period when dogs are between three and 12 weeks old. This occurs because they are still learning what is appropriate to put in their mouths.
If your pup is doing this, you should intervene right away. For example, to stop your dog from eating cat poop, keep them on a leash whenever they are outside so that you can always be in control of their behavior. You could also invest in an electric fence to keep the dog within certain boundaries. The last option would be to watch your pet very carefully.
If you notice that your dog is acting differently, or is suddenly vomiting, diarrhea, or seems sick in some way, they could have worms or parasites. You may want to take them to the vet for treatment to prevent their illness from becoming more serious.
Will it hurt my dog to eat cat poop?
Although it’s not harmful for dogs to eat cat poop occasionally, it can lead to health issues. The best option is to keep your pet and your house clean!
How to stop it?
The best way to stop a dog from eating cat poop is to keep them on a leash when they are outside so that you can always control their behavior. You could also invest in an electric fence if the house and yard are secured, or just watch your dog very carefully!
If it’s too late, and your pet has already eaten some, you may want a visit from the vet to make sure your pet doesn’t have parasites or worms. Parasites and worms typically cause some kind of illness.