Any cures for a dog that eats its own feces

[Roxanne Ochs]

My sister has a 7 month old puppy that just started to eat its own feces.  Is there something she can do?  Any additives to food?  Does anyone know why they do this.   

[April Cliber]

There are chewable pills you can get at the pet store or your vet, they really do help. Why do they eat it? Because they are a dog! :o) Some say it's because of a diet deficiency. Most of the time that's not the problem. It's just a gross habit, kind of like kids eating buggers. Sometimes it's learned from their mom. When mom has puppies, she eats their poop until they are weaned. (Gross, I know, but it's the way dogs do things.) The pups see mom do this and.... monkey see, monkey do.... Some people say it's because they live in or were raised in a dirty environment. It could be true for some, but not usually. Our pups are raised in a very clean environment and are trained to eliminate in a specific spot, which is constantly cleaned up. Yet I still see pups take a taste once in a while. I really think it's curiosity mostly, which can become a habit. The best thing is to pick up all poop immediately after it hits the ground. I know, easier said then done....

[Amy & Bernie]

She's not alone it seems! This page has one product in particular, then other related items.
http://www.entirelypets.com/forbid.html

Some natural methods are mentioned here:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_PoopEating.php

[Camilla and Darwin]

I am not sure, I haven't ever experienced this with Darwin. Although, was watching "It's me or the dog" one day and Victoria Stillwell said that feeding them pineapple can make their poop taste bad to them...

[Christine & Shelby]

Double Ditto..... wait for the poop to occur, then pick up! Pineapple.... I agree!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I had a Shih-Tzu that did that "recycle" thing :) I spoke to my vet and he said it was just a discusting habit - that all !!! My solution was to pick the poop up immediately - that was the only thing that worked.

[Helen]

I had a rescue black lab that would eat anything, including poop, the vet suggested we add meat tenderizer to both dogs' food, it changes taste on the way through and seemed to stop the problem.

[Diane Marra]

I had this problem and it began after I started cooking food for my dogs. They loved the food, and I enjoyed cooking and giving them healthy food, but then they started to eat their poop. After 6 months on my rice/chicken/veggies diet, my doodle had lost 7 lbs ( he wasn't on the heavy side) and the vet became concerned and advised me to go back to purchased food as it was "complete". I did begin to give them Blue Buffalo food and within days they both stopped eating their poop! Now , we have the bad gas again,but the poop eating has stopped.
My vet recommended pineapple as someone said below and also meat tenderizer for 3 days to see if that helped. Since I foster other doodles, I just went back to purchased food.

[Helen]

I have been feeding my Goldendoodle Blue Buffalo and the gas is getting beyond a joke, I have decided to go back to Bil-Jac and have a fart free zone again!!

[Roxanne Ochs]

Thank you for all the replies!

[Liz & Emma]

Interesting that you started this discussion. Today I picked up my doodle from daycare and they said that she was eating poop and then threw up (DISGUSTING). The only thing is that she's NEVER eaten her poop- i always pick it up right after- and she loves daycare but im wondering now- how long was the poop on the floor? was it her poop? and if it was did she eat it to hide that she pooped inside?

I'm a little concerned now that the place i take her to daycare isnt keeping a close enough eye on them.

Thoughts?

[Roxanne Ochs]

My sister's dog, who is now 7 months old, just started this disgusting habit out of the blue one day. I wouldn't fault the daycare just yet. My sis is very conscientious about picking up as soon as the poop drops to the ground but the dog is just a little quicker :). She is going to try using MSG. I think what may have started her dog doing this is that she's been adding sweet potato to the dog's food (can't remember why she started THAT) and maybe that's the deal there. Maybe Emma is just trying it out because she saw some other dog doing it or it could be that she pooped inside like you say and wanted to hide the fact.

[Becky and Bella]

Though it's disgusting, it's completely natural. Wolves were domesticated into dogs when they would follow nomads and eat their feces to survive. Humans desided that it was quite useful and began bringing the more docile wolves into camp. It was an easy, balanced meal and the humans encouraged the eating of their feces. Just a little fact.
Our dogs do this but the odd thing is that they only eat the dominant dog's poo. Sometimes they will eat the middle dog's but never do they touch the lowest member of the pack's feces. I suppose they get rid of any sign of their pack leader so as to not let her be tracked and killed. Another instinctual thing. It is actually quite clever, but we have found nothing to stop it we just brush their teeth weekly and avoid kisses.