Our 4yr old GSD has started eating his own stool what would cause this, he has never done it before?????????

 Quote: Jack Fitch

Our 4yr old GSD has started eating his own stool what would cause this, he has never done it before?????????

Did you check out any of the threads about coprophagia? There are literally hundreds of posts on the topic.

Is he in good health? Has he had a physical checkup lately? Did you make a major diet change?

Is he maintaining appropriate weight?


As far as stopping it goes, I would have him on a leash for poop times and pick it up immediately.

But with an adult starting the practice suddenly, I would want to ask all of the questions I mentioned and think about any other changes that coincide with this one.

http://leerburg.com/search/dosearch.php?terms=poop+eating&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

http://leerburg.com/search/dosearch.php?terms=coprophagia&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

Thank you and I'll remember to ask these questions when we check with our vet Monday. Jack

If everything checks out health wise, then is he bored (in his mind, you know how smart dogs can be )? My female started this when she hadn't been worked enough when she was younger and I was laid up with an injury. She has since made it part of her behavior, something is being satisfied. No food changes, healthy, pick up poop (she will eat as she goes), even tried the leash. I am trying tablespoon of pumpkin with cloves, ginger, nutmeg mixed in and it seems to be working, she isn't eating her poop, but it took 3-4 weeks to get through her system. give that a try, pumpkin filling like you would get for a pie.

 Quote: Heidi Moen

..... give that a try, pumpkin filling like you would get for a pie.

All else aside (I have no idea if it would help with coprophagia), please do not feed pre-prepared pumpkin pie filling, which is probably in the ten-teaspoons-of-sugar-per-cup range.

Unfortunately some dogs just like the taste, it is like a yummy treat.

They have several pills on the market for stool eating.They will stop your dog from eating his own stool,but not the stool of other dogs.

You could also try using a digestive enzyme to help break his food down so he obtains more nutrients.

I have read that adding meat tenderizer to food sometimes helps, however I think it may contain salt,I don'tknow that for sure.

Older animals may have a deficiency in hydrochloric acid, the digestive juice in the stomach that breaks down protein. I have read you can compensate for this deficiency by using apple cider vinegar, which contains acetic acid. This acid is almost identical in chemical structure to hydrochloric acid.The body is able to provide the added chemicals that enable the vinegar to compensate for hydrochloric deficiency, which helps in the digestion of protein as well as minerals. For deficient animals. add one teaspoon of vinegar into food per 25 pounds of body weight.

You could also correct your dog with an ecollar or prong every time you catch him eating stool.

 Quote: Jack Fitch

Thank you and I'll remember to ask these questions when we check with our vet Monday. Jack

Yes.

Lisa is correct, of course, that some dogs just do it.

Generally, though, it's not a sudden new habit in a healthy adult. I'd keep the dog on a leash for poop times for now, pick up, re-direct, etc., but ask myself the questions I mentioned, look at diet and frustrated energy (boredom), etc.

Is the dog maintaining appropriate weight, BTW?

I understand that Connie but when everything else has failed or caused problems, I will take extra sugar for the short term to correct the long term problem. Half the battle is breaking the behavior and reward. But I agree, awareness of ingredients is very important and yes I should have pointed that out. My pumpkin is organic with very low sugar, thank you for pointing that out, organic with low sugar is best.

 Quote: Heidi Moen

I understand that Connie but when everything else has failed or caused problems, I will take extra sugar for the short term to correct the long term problem. ...

I meant not to give the commercial prepared pumpkin pie filling.

If the recipe works, why not use plain canned pumpkin with the spices you mentioned stirred in and skip the 50 or so grams of sugar per cup of prepared pie filling.

There are lots of things that can suddenly cause a dog to become a turd gourmet.

Number one is a dietary change. If there is anything left edible in a turd you can be guaranteed your dog will eat it. Often with dietary changes food isn't absorbed as efficently leaving "edible" chunks at the end of the digestive process. Some dogs are just efficent that way.

Number Two is stress. I have a dog who deals with seperation anxiety by eating everything... this includes gravel, grass, and yep... poop. I was able to correct this with distraction toys like puzzleballs and chews.

as others have mentioned some dogs just like poop. For these dogs poo, pick up, and go is the only way to deal with it. Pick up your turds and you'll get along swimmingly with your dog.

There are lots and lots of home remedies for turd eating. pineapple, pumpkin, papaya enzymes. Just keep in mind that a taste deterrent is only as effective as the dog who cares about the taste.