MY PET WORLD Q and A: IS THERE A SEASON FOR POO EATING?

By Steve Dale | 06 August 2009


Q: Is there is a season for poo-eating? Each August, my dog begins seeking out patties and this craze continues through the fall. What's going on?

A: With one exception, coprophagia (the fancy technical term for poo-eating) isn't typically seasonal. Theories vary on the root of this disgusting craving. It does seem that puppies living in puppy mills and some pet stores, forced to live in their own excrement, do whatever they can to clean up since no one else does. They're more inclined to develop this nasty habit. There may also be a genetic predisposition in some dogs.

For a few lucky folks, sprinkling a manufactured product on a dog's food -- For-Bid or Deter -- makes what comes out the other end unpalatable. Seasoning salt or meat tenderizer is supposed to have the same effect, but these methods are questionable. Adding enzymes to a dog's food through products such as Prozyme has reportedly made a difference for some. The best idea: Plastic bags. Instead of allowing your dog to relieve itself unsupervised in the yard, take the pet out for a leash walk and pick up promptly before your pup can.

By the way, the only exception I note about coprophagia not being seasonal may occur in the winter. Some dogs only enjoy wintertime "poopsicles," a frozen taste sensation.

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