Eating Poo?

[Lily Rose]

Hi All,

My two 9 week old pugs are starting to eat their poos?

It's all happened within the last week!

After worming at 8 weeks, they both ended up with the runs....this went on for too long so I took them to the local vet. Anyway, I am happy to say the last 2 days they have been more solid. Only thing is one more so than the other is eating hers and his poo as soon as she does it.

I have been cleaning up after them as soon as they poop, but during the night I cant not control what happens. I am still toilet training them and often take them outside for toilet as well. They have even atempted to eat it outside.

I have had them on a chicken and rice diet for 3/4 days now to help with the upset tummy.

Does anyone have any idea why they would be doing this? I dont beleive it's a hunger thing as I have seen it happen straight after feeding. They did not do this before the chicken and rice???? I started to mix dry food in the chicken and rice today. Still no difference???

Is this common?

Any advice or thoughts would be welcomed.

Thanks

Leanne ;)

[Erny]

The technical term for this is "copraphagia".

Some things to consider :

• Diet : Are your pups doing the best they can on the diet they are on?
  
• Health : Are they otherwise in full health?
  
• Toilet Training : When did the copraphagia begin? Were they scolded/punished for inappropriate elimination during their house-training?
  
• Exercise - especially 'mental'. Are your pups bored?
  

Given their digestive history, I'd be inclined to first consider that they may be attempting to self suppliment for something that is either missing in their diet, or that they are not absorbing from it. Chicken/rice might be ok to 'rest' the digestive system after an upset, but I should think that 3 or 4 days of it is more than what they should need to recover from it (unless something else is wrong and is therefore persisting) and in itself would not be providing a balanced diet for them.

I'd also be inclined to re-think what you are doing over-night in the toileting regime. Not sure what you mean by "not being able to control what is happening over-night". What is your toilet-training regime? IE What do you do and how often do you do it?

Edited August 8, 2009 by Erny

[Lily Rose]

Hi Erny,

Thanks for your reply.

The puppies are both happy, cheeky little pups. They are very playful and affectionate.

Toilet Training : When did the copraphagia begin? - This began about 2 days after using drontal liquid for puppies.

Were they scolded/punished for inappropriate elimination during their house-training? -Not at all, it's just a firm NO then placed on the newspaper near the back door or taken outside to finish off.

Exercise - especially 'mental'. Are your pups bored? - Not bored at all, they are very spoilt many toys etc and kids to play with as well as 3 moggies to keep them busy. Also when they are out for toilet I encourage them to move around the back yard as much as possible, I'll throw a ball or even run with them to tire them out!

Given their digestive history, I'd be inclined to first consider that they may be attempting to self suppliment for something that is either missing in their diet, or that they are not absorbing from it. Chicken/rice might be ok to 'rest' the digestive system after an upset, but I should think that 3 or 4 days of it is more than what they should need to recover from it (unless something else is wrong and is therefore persisting) and in itself would not be providing a balanced diet for them. - I am thinking it might be something else now as one has been totally ok but the other is stll experiencing the runs. Do you have any other idea what could be wrong?

I'd also be inclined to re-think what you are doing over-night in the toileting regime. Not sure what you mean by "not being able to control what is happening over-night". What is your toilet-training regime? IE What do you do and how often do you do it? - OK, I have newspaper laid down for inside toilet such as during the night, but we take them outside for toilet at least every hour or two, depending if they are sleeping. When I said not being able to control during the night I meant that I am not their to remove the poo before it can be eaten.

I look forward to your reply.

Leanne

[Erny]

On the health side of things - not a lot I can confidently advise as not only am I on the other side of your computer screen, I am not qualified as a Vet or Canine nutritionalist. If you were in Victoria though (I forgot to look to see if you have it written, before I began my post), I'd recommend that you make an appointment to see Dr. Bruce Syme in Castlemain. He understands the digestive system of dogs extremely well and I have every confidence in him. Certainly has been well worth the while for my 2 hour each way trips to see him.

But there are also others better qualified than I, here on DOL, who might be able to make some suggestions.

As for the toilet training. I don't follow the regime that you do. For me there doesn't seem much point in laying newspaper and allowing them to learn that it is ok to 'go' inside at all.

If you had just brought your new pups home I would have advised to take them out every 2 hours for the first one or two nights - regardless of whether they are sleeping. Or, if they are sleeping very soundly then perhaps reset the alarm for another half hour and check on them then. If they were awake, or perhaps sleeping but not heavily, then I'd whisk them out, make no fuss, quietly add in the toilet command at the appropriate time (ie when they were in the middle of it) and whisk them back to bed again. I did this with my boy. The only accident I had was on night number 1 and that was my fault as I mis-read/misjudged timing. By about the 3rd night he was sleeping 6 hours straight through and by the 4th and 5th nights, 7 hours ... without accident. Waking up first thing it was always a hurry to the toilet though (now it's "I might be able to hold on until I've had my breakfast :D.)

I also used the crate to assist in toilet training and recommend to many they do likewise. And I had the crate on the floor in my room, so I could hear any stirring or check on pup without having to get out of bed if it proved unnecessary.

However, if one of yours still has the runs, then there might not be a clear pattern to follow.

I do ask though - is it just that he has sloppy/runny poo, or is it actually diarrhea?

Also, if the mess is already made, there's no point remonstrating at all. I'd recommend you simply put pups out of the way and clean up in their absence. Some pups think it's a game when you're down on your hands and knees scrubbing away at the floor. If pup is showing signs of toileting, I work to distract and with as much haste as possible, get pup to come outside.

[Lily Rose]

Hi Erny,

Just a quick update the pups poos have improved and at least they are a sausage shape rather than mash!! So that is a good sign. They seem more content and are putting on weight which is good. They still however insist on eating it almost as soon as they finish. I either remove the poo or remove the pups from the area until I've cleaned it. I hope they grow out of it, otherwise I will have to look further into what I can do to discourage this behavour.

Now I know the official word/term for it I have been researching it a little more. Thanks for your posts on this topic. I'll let you know how thiings go.

Leanne

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

i have been told that if you put pineapple in their food it makes the pooh taste terrible to them. i would put a spoonful on each dogs food every time you feed them and see if it works

[Lily Rose]

really? you dont think it would upset their little bellies? they are 10 weeks old this week..pugs

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

people overseas i know have been working with puppy farm rescues and they eat their poop because otherwise it stayed in the cage

they found that the pineapple worked. the dogs were Boston Terriers so a similar size to pugs.

google coprophagia and pineapple and you will find lots of info. i have it from reliable sources that it worked for their dog. however, i imagine that it won't work for all dogs.

why i like it is it is a natural food and nothing bad for the puppies, it can't hurt to try it

Edited August 10, 2009 by Jaxx'sBuddy

[Lily Rose]

just google that and yes heaps of info........thanks for that...will let you know how things go...

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

i will be interested to see if it works. i would use canned crushed pineapple as it is easier to hide in their food!!!

[nickojoy]

My boy does it, and if your not quick with poo patrol, you don't have to clean up for the day. There is several threads around about it. Some dogs only do it in winter because the poo is fresh and warm.

[nikitaken]

I asked the vet and also on the internet many say that its normal for puppy to do that, and most will grow out of it.

Btw, our puppy is also having upset stomach after worming, we took her to the vet today and she gave her 1 injection and some pill to start from tomorrow. Did your puppies get any medication from the vet?