Posted on 23 July 2010. Tags: coprophagia, dog poo, dog poop, feces, puppy eating feces, puppy feces, Puppy Health, Why Do Puppies Eat Feces?
Eating feces is called coprophagia, and many dog experts consider it normal puppy behavior, tying in with nutrition and puppy health. It is most common in hunting, working, or herding breeds. Many dogs will eat his or her own feces or another dog’s. As it feels is has done nothing wrong, it wanders over to its owner wanting a hug and kiss at about that time and hopefully the owner has been observing the backyard activities of the little canine. The meaning of the words, “doggy breath,” has just then taken on a whole new meaning!
Why Does Coprophagia Happen?
Some factors involved in coprophagia in puppies are:
- Hyperactivity and out of control behavior
Immaturity
Dirty cages or environments
Most mother dogs will keep the living area clean, and if left unattended, will eat the puppies feces to remove it – forming a habitual behavior for them. This is not a usual occurrence in small kennels or household litters.
Another reason is the majority of puppies eat feces because their mothers do. It is a behavior developed by imitating. The mother will stimulate early puppies to urinate and defecate by licking, which she consumes to keep the den area clean. As time goes on and the puppies become larger they see this and some will imitate the behavior.
How To Stop Puppies Eating Feces
Adding one teaspoon of spinach or pineapple or even meat tenderizer to the dog’s diet sometimes helps as a natural treatment. Buying and using a dog medical product called “For-bid,” will decrease this behavior if you work at it. It makes the feces taste distasteful to the dog, and they will not want to eat it. But occasionally there is a nutrition or puppy health concern that can cause the behavior, so be sure to talk to your vet if this becomes and ongoing behavior.
As with any type of behavior for puppies or adult dogs, early correction and preventing the behavior from becoming a bad habit is essential. Until your puppy is fully protected through puppy shots, worming and just maturing, keep your little one on a leash to prevent them from eating the feces of other dogs that may have parasites or diseases. In addition keep all fecal material cleaned up out of the puppy's kennel, sleeping area and play area to minimize contact. While eating feces may not be a direct sign of puppy health problems or nutritional concerns, talk to your breeder if you have switched foods or notice any other unusual or uncharacteristic behaviors in the puppy.
Posted in Puppies/Breeding/Pregnancy
Posted on 27 December 2009. Tags: Breeds & Hybrid/Mixed Breeds, Common Puppy Health Concerns, dog, dog breed, doggy, dogs, good dog, owner, Puppies, Puppy, Puppy Behavior, Puppy Care, Puppy Care - Common Puppy Health Concerns, Puppy Health, Puppy Health Concerns, tips, Tips and Advice
There are several common puppy health issues that new owners need to be on the lookout for. Often these issues are related to puppy care, but they can also be part of natural development and puppy behavior. The following puppy care and puppy health issues are not inherited or genetic problems, rather they are conditions that can occur when a puppy is not kept correctly, properly nourished or provided with routine vet care.
The following issues are concerns for new puppy owners that are working to provide excellent puppy care. Typically the symptoms that indicate these conditions are first noted by a change in puppy behavior, often a depressed or lethargic behavior is first noted that is atypical of a puppy.
Respiratory Infections
These are often highly contagious and can easily be transferred from what appears to be a healthy dog to a puppy, resulting in the puppy becoming ill. Symptoms may include runny eyes and nose, coughing, breathing difficulties, dry nose, vomiting, diarrhea and lack of appetite and energy. When treated early the respiratory infections can be remedied with antibiotics and pose no serious health risk to puppies. Left untreated some puppies, especially those with other health conditions can die from these types of infections.
Worms
Puppy care includes routine worming, even if you don't think your puppy could have possible developed a worm problem. Typically changes in puppy behavior when worms are present include dehydration, chronic fatigue, failure to gain weight and of energy or interest in what is going on around them. Worms can be treated but your vet needs to treat the puppy to ensure they are completely eliminated from the puppy's system.
Eye infections
Although puppies eyes are open in a couple of weeks, they still don't have good vision for quite a while. During this time your puppy may walk into things and bang his or her head as their depth perception is poor. Lacerations of the eye are common, resulting in infections of the cornea and conjunctivitis. Topical antibiotic drops and creams are usually applied to the eye area to correct the problem. Treating early prevents scar tissue from forming on the eye and posing greater problems as the puppy ages.
Dry skin
Puppies born late in the season will be more likely to develop dry skin as they are in artificial heat within the house. The heat from furnaces can help in drying out the skin and coat, so be sure to feed a good quality dog food and supplement with omega fatty oils. You can also use a moisturizing spray for the coat and skin to help with dry skin patches. There are several excellent herbal and holistic treatments on the market, just be sure to buy from a reputable company.
Fleas
In most areas fleas will be a problem. Puppy behavior that indicates fleas includes biting, scratching and rubbing at the skin, however that can also indicate allergies and even hot spots or dry skin. Talk to your vet about flea treatment for your puppy and keep all other dogs, cats and domestic pets treated at this time to limit exposure to fleas as much as possible.
Puppy care and puppy behavior are fairly common between all breeds, however it is important to know any conditions that your puppy may be particularly at risk for.
Posted in Puppies/Breeding/Pregnancy
US $.99
