Is Your Pet Dog Into Coprophagia?
Coprophagia is a weird habit exhibited by animals and that includes our pet dogs.
For the uninitiated, the term implies the tendency to consume feces.
The surprising thing is that according to experts there are valid reasons for this habit being ingrained in a dog's behavior.
When in the wild and living in community dwellings, bitches would swallow puppy poop to maintain hygiene and to prevent predators from picking up any scent trails.
It is also a gesture signifying submission in canine society.
However, in a modern setting these are no longer issues and yet we have to deal with pet dogs consuming excrement.
No doubt it is unpleasant and presents health risks too.
Dogs are known to ingest intestinal worms with stool and this can be a major problem for the animal; not to mention an entirely avoidable expense for you.
Coprophagia is bad because dogs can consume parasites in this manner.
Excrement lying in the open attracts insects that are carriers for a number of intestinal worms and also the dreaded heartworm.
Food allergies may develop, a serious condition known as pancreatitis can also occur.
Given the risks of such painful and unpleasant conditions, your pet dog is best kept away from the habit.
Particularly, when we consider that dogs are not partial to consuming their own poop, they'll go for anything and this seriously increases the risks of contracting disease.
Consider the following points to keep your dog from consuming feces - • A regular feeding routine with a balanced diet will mean that Fido won't go hunting for poop when hungry.
• Train your dog to understand your commands.
When you say "No" to his trying to eat feces, he has to obey.
• The animal's living space has to be clean, the yard too, if that is where he does his job.
• You will have to be alert to such tendencies in your dog right from puppyhood.
Puppies are easier to control and train.
Don't let the habit take root.
Puppies are likely to suffer more because of their small bodies and not-yet-developed immune systems.
• Your dog should receive daily mental and physical exercise to keep it alert and fit; this reduces the chances of the animal exhibiting coprophagia.
• You should consult a vet who may prescribe a product to spray on poop so that it tastes bad or check with other pet owners to find out how they helped their dogs overcome the issue.
• Keep your dog on a leash and muzzle it if you feel that it still hasn't kicked the habit completely.
• Apart from a vet you should also consider meeting an animal behaviorist to learn more about your pet's tendency towards coprophagia.
You will also have to see that the animal is de-wormed according to a schedule suggested by the vet to ensure that parasites do not get ensconced in its body.
For the uninitiated, the term implies the tendency to consume feces.
The surprising thing is that according to experts there are valid reasons for this habit being ingrained in a dog's behavior.
When in the wild and living in community dwellings, bitches would swallow puppy poop to maintain hygiene and to prevent predators from picking up any scent trails.
It is also a gesture signifying submission in canine society.
However, in a modern setting these are no longer issues and yet we have to deal with pet dogs consuming excrement.
No doubt it is unpleasant and presents health risks too.
Dogs are known to ingest intestinal worms with stool and this can be a major problem for the animal; not to mention an entirely avoidable expense for you.
Coprophagia is bad because dogs can consume parasites in this manner.
Excrement lying in the open attracts insects that are carriers for a number of intestinal worms and also the dreaded heartworm.
Food allergies may develop, a serious condition known as pancreatitis can also occur.
Given the risks of such painful and unpleasant conditions, your pet dog is best kept away from the habit.
Particularly, when we consider that dogs are not partial to consuming their own poop, they'll go for anything and this seriously increases the risks of contracting disease.
Consider the following points to keep your dog from consuming feces - • A regular feeding routine with a balanced diet will mean that Fido won't go hunting for poop when hungry.
• Train your dog to understand your commands.
When you say "No" to his trying to eat feces, he has to obey.
• The animal's living space has to be clean, the yard too, if that is where he does his job.
• You will have to be alert to such tendencies in your dog right from puppyhood.
Puppies are easier to control and train.
Don't let the habit take root.
Puppies are likely to suffer more because of their small bodies and not-yet-developed immune systems.
• Your dog should receive daily mental and physical exercise to keep it alert and fit; this reduces the chances of the animal exhibiting coprophagia.
• You should consult a vet who may prescribe a product to spray on poop so that it tastes bad or check with other pet owners to find out how they helped their dogs overcome the issue.
• Keep your dog on a leash and muzzle it if you feel that it still hasn't kicked the habit completely.
• Apart from a vet you should also consider meeting an animal behaviorist to learn more about your pet's tendency towards coprophagia.
You will also have to see that the animal is de-wormed according to a schedule suggested by the vet to ensure that parasites do not get ensconced in its body.
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