I caught my dog eating my other dogs poo last night, is there any reasons why he could be doing this? May he be missing something out of his diet or may he be unwell? Maybe I should stop worrying and accept that some dogs do this, please help!

Hi

Sorry, can't answer specifically for your dog as its medically condition is not known BUT eating dog poo is what a lot of dogs do. It's so common it has it's own name copraphagia (I think thats how its spelt!!) Over a period of 33 years I've had several dogs - never been without at least one in all that time. I've had dogs that ate only sheep poo, ones that eat horse, cow and occasionally other dogs poos and the latest one used to eat his own. He was almost a year old when I got him and he did it from day one. I never made a fuss but watched and cleaned up immediately he'd done anything to remove it before he did. Now 6 months later I never think about it because he doesn't do it anymore!! Don't know exactly what causes it. Sometimes its because there is as much goodness in what comes out as what went in! Sometimes it's a result of having been "told off" for doing it in the wrong place so the dog then tries to 'hide' the evidence to avoid being told off next time. Check himout at the vets but if nothing's wrong - don't worry about it. Clean his own mess up quickly and try to avoid him eating others and in time it should stop.

I have owned 6 dogs in my life and ALL but my current dog Hamish has eaten pooh !Never their own........ always each others !Disgustingly weird! Hate to add they were all girls !

Hi

I know this sounds strange but try giving your dog (not the one who eats poo) a pineapple ring (tinned). Apparently there is an enzime in pineapple that makes poo less attractive.

Jenny.

This is a disgusting habit, but as far as the dog is concerned it is just sensible recycling. Must say I have found the bitches are the worse at doing this, but then they do it for their pups and perhaps it either becomes a habit or they get a taste for it. :(