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Why Do German Shepherds Eat Their Poop

Why Do German Shepherd Puppies Eat Their Poop Reasons And How To Stop It

German Shepherd Eat Poop and How to stop it

You have seen your German Shepherd puppy eat their own poop. Much to your disgust!

Why do German Shepherd puppies eat their poop? German Shepherd puppies eat their poop because this is a natural canine behavior. Other reasons for this also include simple curiosity, mimicking of their mothers behavior, poor digestion, poor quality diet, stress, boredom, attention-seeking, fear of being punished for making a mess, and simply poop tastes good to them. Although puppies grow out of this behavior, it needs to be prevented and stopped because if continued, it may develop into a nasty habit as adults.

Eating poop is a gross habit and to be able to implement the appropriate action to prevent and stop it, its important to understand the specific cause of it in your puppy. In this article, we will look in detail at these reasons and how you minimize the occurrence and stop it.

What Are The Common Diseases Of German Shepherds

German Shepherd Health Problems German Shepherd Joint Problems. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease characterized by an abnormal development of the hip joint. Problems Related to The Circulatory System. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of canine congestive heart failure in large and giant breed dogs such as German Shepherds. Nervous System Problems.

Take Your Dog To The Vet

Smelling feces on your dogs breath will make you want to throw up. But more than that, it will frighten you.

Did he just eat poop? Why? What is wrong with my furbaby?

If you dont know the answers, take your German Shepherd to the vet. A proper health check will reveal things that will help you understand why your dog is acting that way.

More importantly, you will be able to find out whether your canine buddy is suffering from an illness or not. And you can help him before it gets too late.

From there, you and the vet can develop a plan of action that can help your dog, like giving the necessary medications and administering proper treatments.

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What Can I Feed My German Shepherd That Has Diarrhoea

  • Only feed your dog bland food. Boiled chicken is a good choice combined with some white rice. Make sure there are no bones in the chicken meat.
  • Bone broth is an excellent food for dogs with upset stomachs and will also aid rehydration.
  • It is important to include food that is high in fibre. Pumpkin puree has been recommended by many German Shepherd owners.
  • Avoid treats or human food snacks until your dog has fully recovered. Then only feed with care and in small amounts.
  • Pica: Why Do Dogs Eat Strange Things

    Why Does My German Shepherd Eat Cat Poop? What It Means ...
    • There are products sold at pet stores such as Deter and For-Bid that are designed to eliminate this yucky behavior. They are given to your dog orally and then pass through the digestive system to give their stool an unpleasant taste . Meat tenderizer can also be sprinkled on your dogs food for the same effect. Speak with your veterinarian before trying anything to be sure it is safe for your particular dog.
    • Pick-up after your dog immediately in order to remove the temptation
    • Prevent your dog from getting into your cats litter box by putting it somewhere inaccessible to them

    Of course, these techniques only prevent your dog from eating his own stool so watch him closely in public areas. How do I rule out medical causes for pica?If your pet starts eating things besides their food and treats, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. Your veterinarian will make sure that your pet is not suffering from any nutritional deficiencies or electrolyte imbalances. Once they rule-out any underlying causes, they can help you combat your pets strange behavior. If your dog has a craving for feces, make sure they are on year-round monthly parasite preventatives and take them to your veterinarian annually to have their stool checked for parasites.

    If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

    Read Also: What Age Can A German Shepherd Get Pregnant

    Why Do Dogs Eat Their Poop Does Your German Shepherd Eat His Poop

    Why do dogs eat their poop? It may seem odd but eating poop is a natural occurrence in dogs. In fact, there is a scientific term for it: Coprophagia.

    Eating poop is understandably disgusting for humans but for dogs, it is a natural canine habit. Young puppies engage in this behavior in particular. The good news is coprophagia isnt a permanent problem and they usually go away as your pup grows older.

    Make Sure Your German Shepherd Has A Healthy Diet

    One of the first things you can do is make sure you are feeding your furry friend enough food. A simple explanation for their odd eating habits is that they are hungry. German Shepherds are large animals, which means they will need a lot of food. However, the amount you feed your dog will depend on their age and weight:

    • 10-30 pounds: If your German Shepherd is still growing and is between 10-30 pounds, make sure you are feeding it between 1 ¼ and 2 ¼ cups a day.
    • 30-50 pounds: Feed them between 2 ¼ and 3 ½ cups a day.
    • 50-80 pounds: Your German Shepherd will need 3 ½ to 4 ½ cups of food per day.
    • 100 pounds or higher: While this weight is highly unlikely for a German Shepherd, it could still happen.Make sure to feed this weight of dog 5 cups a day, and ½ cup more every 10 pounds it gains.

    When you feed your German Shepherd, make sure they have a high-protein diet containing nutrients, minerals, and carbohydrates. You can also contact your vet and make a diet plan with them personalized to your German Shepherds needs.

    Even though paying attention to the feeding charts is a good idea, you should monitor their energy levels and weight. If they are too skinny, add more kibble to the bowl. If they are overweight, slowly decrease the amount you feed them until they reach the optimal weight.

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    Some Dogs Eat Poop To Please Their Owner

    Harsh potty training techniques may cause some dogs or puppies to eat their own poop in an effort to appease us or to avoid painful punishment.

    Remember the antiquated trick of rubbing a dog’s nose in their feces when they poop in the wrong place? This can send mixed messages to a dog about getting feces on their mouth.

    Some dogs may also see us cleaning up their poop in the house and try to mimic that behavior. This is why many trainers suggest that we do not clean up potty mistakes in front of our dogs.

    Consistent feeding times will regulate your dog’s digestive system and make it easier to supervise their pooping behavior.

    Tips On What To Do If Your German Shepherd Eats Poop

    How Often Do German Shepherd Puppies Poop

    So you caught him in the act! Your four-legged pal is snacking on poop! Whats the next thing you should do?

    Stop him, of course!

    While veterinarians like Dr. Hart revealed that eating poop is natural for canines, it is still important to end the behavior.

    Why?

    Well, for one, you would not want to kiss and cuddle with a pooch that reeks of stinking feces!

    But that is the least of your concerns.

    You will want to put an end to your German Shepherds poop-eating habit because it is dangerous. It can cause serious health issues, such as parasitic infections.

    Now, heres what you can do about it:

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    Should You Worry About Your German Shepherd Puppy Eating Poop

    Generally, you dont need to worry too much about your puppy eating poop. While its not the most pleasant thing to watch, in most cases its not going to do any harm.

    In fact, its actually pretty normal behavior for dogs for a number of reasons .

    However, if your dog does eat poop, then there is the risk of them becoming sick or being exposed to diseases, viruses, illnesses, and toxins of the animal who passed the stool.

    Luckily, if your pup is only eating their own poop, this wont be a problem.

    What If My Puppy Has Problems With Diarrhea

    On the opposite end of the spectrum, diarrhea in your German Shepherd puppy can be caused by a multitude of factors per Dr. Suchodolski. Dr. Suchodolski identifies the following items as chief causes for diarrhea:

    • Changes in diet
    • Consuming nonfood material or garbage
    • Intestinal blockage

    One of the best preventative treatments you can offer your German Shepherd puppy is an appointment with a veterinarian. They can receive their shots to prevent worms and other unflattering parasites.

    This video from Top Dog Tips outlines the ideal strategy to manage the animals diarrhea. Let the canine drink plenty of water and dont let them eat anything within the first 12 hours of diarrhea. These two actions will help cleanse the puppys digestive tract.

    Should your furry companions diarrhea remain constant, it may be necessary to take them into a clinic for further treatment.

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    Remove Access To The Poop

    While this may sound like a tall order, the most effective way to keep your German Shepherd from eating their own poop is to simply make sure there isnt any poop to eat!

    This will require consistent, determined effort on your part. You will need to watch your GSD closely on potty breaks and quickly remove the feces and dispose of it in a secure location.

    If your dog goes out at night or early in the morning, you will need to bring a flashlight to make sure you see where the poop is and can pick it up right away.

    How To Stop My German Shepherd From Eating Poops

    Why Do German Shepherd Puppies Eat Their Poop? Reasons And ...

    The behavior of eating poop among pet dogs is quite a common one. It is referred to as Dog coprophagia. As for yet, there is no obvious reason as to why dogs start eating their own poop however according to some educated guesses, it is likely because they may be getting some nutrition out of it. However, dogs that are well fed do not need nutrition from such secondary nasty sources. While finding the right cause may require patience, you can try to stop this nasty behavior by trying a couple of techniques.

    Firstly, you need to consider when it is normal for dogs to eat their own poop. For instance, female dogs often lick their puppies from their rear end. In doing so, small bits of feces might be ingested by the female dog. Apart from that, a female dog might also consume the feces of her puppies in order to keep the area clean from predators who may otherwise track the puppies down via the poop stench. Moreover, puppies also usually end up eating their own poop or that from other dogs. In puppies, however, this behavior is normal and a part of mouth exploration. This behavior usually goes away as the puppies reach about 6 months of age. However, in case an adult dog continues this behavior, then it is deemed to be strictly abnormal.

    Also Check: German Shepherd Sketches

    It Is Common For Puppies To Eat Poop

    If you have a young German Shepherd and find that they are eating their poop, dont worry too much. They will normally grow out of this behavior. Feces can contain lots of nutrients, and some animals like rabbits need to eat their poop to get this nutrition. On the other hand, dogs can get this nutrition from other places.

    Before the puppy is nine months old, it will be common for the mother and the puppies to eat their poop. The mother eats her puppies poop too. While this habit will eventually disappear, it is important to keep an eye on it.

    Eating the feces of other animals can be very dangerous for your German Shepherds. Their own poop may be harmless, but other animals waste could contain toxins, parasites, and viruses.

    When Should You Be Concerned About A Dog Throwing Up

    Prompt attention from a veterinarian should be sought if your dog vomits multiple times in one day or for more than one day in a row. In addition, you should seek veterinary attention if your dog shows the following symptoms accompanied by vomiting: Loss of appetite. Change in frequency of urination.

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    Why Your German Shepherd Eats Its Poop

    Each of the different reasons that your German Shepherd eats its poop will likely come with a number of clues.

    Below, I will mention a number of reasons why it might be doing it and the signs to look for.

    Boredom

    German Shepherds would work with their owners on a daily basis doing intensive tasks. This means that they are supposed to get a lot of exercise to be properly stimulated.

    If your German Shepherd isnt getting much exercise then it could be causing it to get bored. If that is the case then it might start to look for ways to stimulate itself and one of those ways could involve eating its poop.

    Generally, it is recommended that an adult German Shepherd get at least an hour of exercise per day. If you think that your German Shepherd might not be getting enough exercise then you should make sure that it does. You can look in the section below to see some ways that you can do so.

    Nutrition

    Worms and other parasites can cause nutrients to leach from a dogs system . The reason that your German Shepherd does it might be to satisfy nutritional deficiencies this would be more likely if you have noticed that it tends to eat dirt as well.

    If it has been getting hungry a lot more than usual then it would help to take it to a vet to make sure that worms are not the cause.

    Illness

    If illness does appear to be the cause then taking it to the vet would likely be the best option.

    It likes the taste

    Stress

    Attention

    To make itself throw up

    Its A Natural And Instinctive Behavior

    Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

    Firstly, prior to domestication, dogs were scavengers.

    They would eat whatever they could to survive, including their own poop and the poop of other animals if they had to.

    Secondly, dogs have a tendency to follow the leader of a pack.

    As part of the hierarchical behavior, a submissive dog may sometimes eat the poop of a dominant one .

    Lastly, a big part of the way a puppy investigates the world around it is to sniff and taste everything around thempoop, is one of those things! Seeing as though dogs dont have hands, they make use of their mouths instead!

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    Is My Dog Just Curious About The Taste Of Poop

    Puppies or young dogs may eat poop out of curiosity. Everything is new to a puppy, so he may want to explore and manipulate all that he sees with his mouth, including animal droppings. It is best to train a puppy not to engage in stool eating as early as possible so that it does not become a habit when he grows up.

    What To Do If My German Shepherd Has Diarrhea

  • Try to establish the seriousness of the attack. Take your dog to your veterinarian if there is any doubt about the cause.
  • If the attack is mild, home treatment can be successful. Make sure your dog has plenty of water as dehydration is a possibility with diarrhoea.
  • Avoid giving your dog any food for 24 hours to give their stomach time to rest. You must not fast puppies. Seek a vet help if your German shepherd is a puppy.
  • Introduce a small quantity of bland food after 24 hours. If your dog accepts it and does not vomit, then offer some more food. Only give a small amount at a time and do so frequently. Avoid giving a large meal. Gradually increase the amount given over a few days.
  • Special probiotic supplements are available for German Shepherds with diarrhoea. Only use those made especially for dogs.
  • Read Also: German Shepherd Height Chart

    Why Is Your German Shepherd Puppy Eating Their Own Poop

    There are a number of different reasons your german shepherd might be eating their own poop. If you can figure out the reason its happening, it can often help you figure out how to stop it.

    Here are the most common reasons they may be doing it.

    Theyre Copying Their Mom

    Just like humans, a puppy is going to learn most of their behavior from their mum. If they notice that their mum is eating her own poop, or eating theirs, then its much more likely the puppy will do the same!

    The reason the mother does this is to hide their cubs from predators. In the wild, poop is going to attract wild animals to where the pups are. So obviously it makes sense to get rid of it altogether!

    It also helps keep their den clean as well.

    Living With A Sick Or Old Dog

    If your puppy is a little bit older, then they may be trying to cover up the scent of another dog. Predators would be able to smell a sick or elderly dog from their stool, so your pup may be trying to dispose of it.

    Once again, remember, this is perfectly natural and its a built-in survival instinct.

    To Get Your Attention

    Let me guess, the first time you noticed your german shepherd eating poop, you shooed them off, clapped, shouted, or gave them some kind of attention.

    If you did, then your pup may do it again just to get your attention. Just like children, some puppies like attention from you whether its good or bad.

    Boredom

    Theyre Hungry

    And if youre not feeding your german shepherd enough then start feeding them more.

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