Why Does my German Shepherd Eat Poop? Unraveling the Mystery
Have you ever seen your German Shepherd eating their poop or even the poop of other animals? You must be wondering why German Shepherds eat their poop and if it’s something to be concerned about. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog, I will unravel the mystery and discuss why do German Shepherds eat their poop and what you can do to stop them from doing so.
7 Reasons Why Do German Shepherds Eat Their Poop
German Shepherds eat their poop for many reasons, such as stress, anxiety, and boredom. Also, In some cases, hunger or a diet lacking the necessary nutrients could be blamed. Other possible explanations include parasites, behavioral issues from improper training, or a more serious underlying health issue.
This behavior can be quite concerning and worrisome, but a few possible explanations exist for why your German Shepherd might eat their own or other animals’ poops.
Hunger: One of the main reasons why dogs may eat their feces is if they are hungry. Underfed dogs may eat their feces as a response to hunger since it is a form of nutrition for them.
Stress, Anxiety, and Boredom: German shepherds, like other dogs, can be prone to stress and anxiety. Dogs must get plenty of activities and socialization opportunities to prevent this behavior. They might even be so bored that they try to eat the poop as entertainment.
Malabsorption: Malabsorption syndrome is when the digestive system isn’t processing food correctly due to inadequate enzymes or bacteria not breaking down food correctly. This can cause undigested food to pass through the intestinal tract, making it appealing for the dog to consume fecal matter since it provides essential nutrients lost during digestion.
Parasites: When German Shepherds have parasites in the digestive tract, it can cause them to eat feces out of instinct. This behavior does not always mean that the dog has an infection or serious health problem; however, it should still be addressed with a veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure no underlying issues.
Imitation: On rare occasions, German Shepherds may start eating feces due simply from an imitation learning process; If a mother dog eats her puppies’ poop, puppies may copy her actions and start eating feces too because they think this behavior is normal or acceptable due to its mother’s example.
Diabetes: Diabetes is another medical condition that could lead your German Shepherd to eat its own poop out of instinct to increase blood sugar levels by consuming carbohydrates found within fecal matter like cornstarch or other starches found in some types of food they consume.
Seeking Attention: Another possible cause of this behavior is that the German Shepherd is seeking attention; some dogs may eat stool out of boredom or not receive the proper level of exercise and stimulation.
What is Coprophagia?
Coprophagia is the scientific term for when a dog consumes feces or that of another animal. Provisions such as improper diet and a lack of fiber can make stools overly appealing to a dog and increase the odds that they will eat them.
Additionally, some dogs may do this out of boredom or to receive attention from their owners. In contrast, others may view it as a natural source of nutrition or enjoy the taste.
Why Do My German Shepherd Eat Cats and Other Dogs Poop
The exact reasons mentioned above can also be applied to why a German Shepherd might eat the feces of other animals. Since German Shepherds are curious animals, they might be trying to explore the world around them by tasting different things, including the feces of other animals.
Furthermore, German Shepherds might also be trying to refill their nutrient levels by consuming the feces of other animals. This behavior is often seen in puppies not getting enough nutrients in their diet, so they might consume the feces of other animals to fulfill their nutritional needs.
My German Shepherd Ate Poop. How Do I Clean His Mouth?
If you see your German Shepherd eating their poop or the poop of other animals, you should first remove the feces from its mouth. You can use a damp cloth or tissue to wipe away the feces from their mouth. Once the feces has been removed from their mouth, you should rinse their mouth with water to ensure that all the feces has been removed.
It would help to give your German Shepherd something to eat or drink to clean its mouth. You can give them some plain yogurt or canned pumpkin, which will help remove the feces taste from their mouth. You can also give your German Shepherd a dental chew or toy to help remove the taste of the feces from their mouth.
How to Stop German Shepherds from Eating Their Poop? 12 Easy Steps
One way to stop German Shepherds from eating their own or other animals’ poop is by teaching them the recall or leave it command. You can teach them this command by giving your German Shepherd a treat when they come to you or ignore the poop, and refrain from providing any rewards if your German Shepherd attempts to eat the poop.
It is also essential to ensure you provide your German Shepherd with a well-balanced diet containing all its necessary nutrients. Ensure you also feed your German Shepherd regularly and give them the right food for their size and activity level.
Adding apple cider vinegar to German Shepherds’ meals can be beneficial in teaching them to stop eating their own or other animal’s poop. Apple cider vinegar is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties and can help deter German Shepherds from picking up poop. It can also help improve digestion, promote healthy gut flora, and make a dog’s stool taste less appealing.
Using pineapple is another way to reduce the urge a German Shepherd may have to eat their own, or other animals, poop. The flavonoids and antioxidants in fresh pineapples can help deter distasteful cravings and may even improve digestion. Pineapple also contains bromelain, which breaks down proteins and adds sweetness to a dog’s diet. Adding a small amount of fresh or canned pineapple to your German Shepherd’s meal can help them avoid the temptation of feasting on poop.
Exercise helps to release pent-up energy and redirects outside of wanting to indulge in undesired behaviors such as eating stool. Taking your German Shepherd on regular walks will keep them physically active and help them keep their mind off things they shouldn’t consume. Furthermore, exercising with your German Shepherd will also provide a fun bonding activity for you and your pup!
It is also essential to get your German Shepherd a muzzle so that it cannot access any unwanted waste while on a walk. Muzzles allow dogs to breathe comfortably still and allow them to pant but prevent them from having access to any unnecessary things.
Rewarding your German Shepherd for good behavior is also crucial in teaching them that eating their own or another animal’s poop is not ok. For example, if you see them leave the waste alone or return when called away, give them a treat or positive verbal encouragement. This reinforces that your German Shepherds are making the right decision and can help them stick to it over time.
Redirecting the behavior of German shepherds when they attempt to eat feces can help break this habit by teaching them a different way of occupying their time in that area instead of eating stool. To do this, you can provide them with toys or leave treats around, so they will focus their attention on those instead of trying to eat stool.
Creating a clean environment is critical in keeping your dog away from wanting to eat feces as much as possible. This means regularly cleaning up poop indoors and outdoors as soon as possible, so there isn’t anything there for them to snack on will help decrease the likelihood that they will try to eat it again.
Also, showing love towards your German Shepherd through positive reinforcement such as verbal praise or treats can help keep up positive behaviors when trying these methods out!
Lastly, if these methods don’t work, it may be beneficial for you and your pet to seek help from a professional trainer to curb the behavior and explain why it occurs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, German Shepherds eating their poop is an expected behavior often seen in puppies.
The best way to stop a German Shepherd from eating its poop is to ensure it is getting enough nutrients in its diet and to pick up its poop immediately after it has done its business.
Additionally, you can also try to distract your German Shepherd when they are about to eat their poop and keep
They are in an enclosed area where they won’t have access to poop.
If your German Shepherd has already eaten their poop or the poop of other animals, remove the feces from their mouth immediately and give them something to eat or drink to clean their mouth. If the behavior continues, consult your vet to rule out any underlying medical issues.
So, that’s all I have to say about why German Shepherds eat their poop and how to stop them from doing so. I hope this blog has helped you understand why German Shepherds eat their poop and how to prevent them from doing so.
