gross habit

[Baileysmom]

OK, this is really gross, but its driving me crazy, so I have to ask :roll:
these foster puppies I have seem to have an obsession with eating eachothers poop! :o I have heard dogs love to eat cat poop, but this is getting ridiculous - if one of them starts to go the others rush over to eat it even before it hits the ground!! and theres 6 of them so it really hard to get them away!! have you guys heard of this? why would they do it??
they get plenty of food and even do it right after they have eaten, so they shouldnt be hungry! :x should I be concerned?

[Lokipups]

Coprophagia, yuck :eviltongue: !
Actually it's a pretty common thing, wild canids do it so their natural predators could not track them, but in your cute and cuddly housedog, it's kinda unnecessary :-? . Sometimes the solution is a simple as switching their diets, a high premium dry food will give them enough nutrients so they don't feel compelled to eat their waste. Home remedies are also popular (although how well they actually work I don't know), and include putting pineapple in their food, or MSG (meat tenderizer, like Adolph's) sprinkled on their kibble. It supposedly makes their stool really unpalatable. Or you can try and find an additive called Forbid, Foster's and Smith may sell it on their website. And be sure to be vigilant about picking it up immediately after they go, take away the opportunity altogether.

[MajiesMom]

You could try the better quality food but sometimes they do it no matter what as babies and they grow out of it. I wouldn't trust any additives that prevent them from eating poop, you could research it though to make sure they're safe. I think your best bet is to just pick up the poop asap.

[Yoladybug]

When Abby was a puppy, she would eat her poop (or anyone else's) every chance she got. My friends all still make fun of me for it. Nothing could deter her, aside from pulling her away. She grew out of it after the first few months...hopefully that will happen with them!

[imported_Kat]

I know its a bit difficult to do but as soon as you see one to go eat it, grab the puppy away and deter him. It can become a rather obsessive disorder that they have likely learned if they weren't given enough food/lower quality in their very early days. Also adding pineapple or sprinking grapefruit directly onto the poo should deter them. :wink:

[Baileysmom]

unfortunately the humane society provides their food - and they feed puppy chow :( I wish it was a matter of picking it up fast enough, but they are literally eating before it hits the ground :o yuck! I am pulling them away, but with 6 its nearly impossible..... it sounds like Ill jsut have to do my best to ahve them outside seperately and tough it out otherwise :wink:

[courtnek]

spritz it with bitter apple (available at most pet stores) it doesnt work for every dog, but in most cases does. one bite, they back off. most dogs think it tastes rancid. vinegar might work as well.

:)