Coprophagia, the act of eating feces, is a common problem among dogs. It can be caused by various reasons such as nutrient deficiencies, boredom, anxiety, or health issues. Here are six pieces of advice that you can try if your dog has coprophagia:
Visit a veterinarian: Before making any changes to the dog's diet or lifestyle, it is important to rule out any underlying health problems that may be causing coprophagia. The vet can do a thorough physical exam and recommend any necessary tests.
Keep the environment clean: Ensure that the dog's living area and surrounding environment are clean and free of feces. This will reduce the dog's exposure to feces and minimize the chance of ingestion.
Provide a well-balanced diet: Ensure that the dog is getting a well-balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs. If you are in the market for a it, I can recommend a high-quality dog food that is appropriate for the dog's age, breed, and activity level. Schedule a pet profile appointment here.
Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation: Coprophagia can be a sign of boredom or anxiety. Do you feel like you are able to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation for their dog through activities such as walking, playing fetch, and puzzle toys?
Use deterrents: There are products available in the market that can be used to deter dogs from eating feces. I recommend Gastro Pro Plus. It's a combination of probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes and herbs. Good health begins in the gut and so this is to be used on the animal who deposits the poop that is being eaten. The digestive enzymes assist in the breakdown of fats, proteins, starches and cellulose making it easier for the nutrients to be absorbed and less likely to end up in the feces. With less nutrients in the feces, the thought is that the feces will be less appealing to the dog.
Train the dog: It is possible to train the dog to stop eating feces. You can work with a professional dog trainer to teach your dog the "leave it" command, which can be used to discourage your dog from eating feces.
Resolving coprophagia can take time and patience. You may need to try a combination of strategies before finding what works for your dog.
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