Pets and More Pets ? Coprophagia: A dog's abhorrent habit

Everyone would know about the legendary strength of Popeye the Sailor Man that is gained from eating spinach. Dog owners have always been complaining about the pet?s obnoxious habit of eating feces. Is it possible that dogs consider feces as a food elixir that would enhance their strength?

The dog?s habit of eating their own and other animal?s poop certainly did not arise from lack of food. Dogs are well loved pets and dog owners would not think twice to pay for pricey dog food as long as the health of the pet is ensured. Pet dogs are one of the most well fed animals. Dog owners know that allowing the pet to eat before they do is one of the reasons why dogs develop dominance problems but because the pet is loved, this fact is often ignored. For this reason, the poop eating habit is certainly not because the dog is hungry.

The tendency to eat feces is believed to be a trait that was handed down to modern day dogs by their ancestors that live in the wild. The feces eating habit is associated with the dog?s self protection instinct. Dogs in the wild need to hide from their predators. The distinct and far reaching smell of feces is not unlike a red flag that announces the dog?s whereabouts. To avoid predators, dogs simply have to eat the feces. Generally, modern day dogs live safe and secure inside the homes thus there is no need to hide from predators. The need to protect themselves from predators is deeply established so that even if hiding from predators is no longer necessary, dogs will still be seen eating poop.

Apparently, dogs have the knack of knowing what is not right in their system. For instance, a dog will just eat grass if toxic substances are ingested and presto! the substance not accepted by the stomach will be ejected. Poor quality commercial dog food that mainly contains cereal fillers does not provide the nutrients needed by the dog so that eating feces or coprophagia is attributed to the dog?s attempt to fill up a nutrient deficiency.

Being social animals, dogs would thrive best in an atmosphere where they constantly interact with the human family thus pet owners with busy schedules will find time to bond with the pet. Some dog owners though may not be aware of this need and others simply do not have the time. Dogs that are left at home all day would either be destructive or would do something to gain the attention of the family. An owner of a poop eating dog will be annoyed at the pet?s disgusting behavior but a dog would appreciate being reprimanded rather than be ignored.

Find out more about why dogs eat feces and first aid for dogs at Sarah?s Dogs.

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Source: http://petsandmorepets.com/2012/08/coprophagia-a-dogs-abhorrent-habit/

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