Dog eating own poo

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MiCsarah

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Ive got 2 spaniels and both have a habit of eating their own poo. The eldest who is now 18months has now basically stopped and very rarely does it now but the 7 month old is constantly doing it. His poo also stinks as when going out for walks he is constantly eating grass and any other shrubbery he likes the look of (has now stopped eating the others poo out walking though). Both are fed skinners duck and rice. Both looking really good if the 18month old only slightly on the lean side as he struggles to ever sit still and is a proper little energy ball.
I try to keep the garden as clear as possible but with a dog flap they have 24 hour access so the 7 month old has been known to bring it in with him quite alot and the smell is RANCID!!! I think I may start to keep it shut though.
So please help. What can I do?
 
Sounds like it's a habit now. I would supervise poo time and remove the evidence immediately.:) I have no idea whether they are lacking nutrients in their diet and whether that will be related to their poo-eating.:)
 
My beagle does it out of habit. I questioned the vet who told me it's very common.

Horrible, but best thing to do is try and keep on top of clearing it up and if you can, supervise their time in the garden.
 
Yes have heard its a common habit but not one thats really talked about. Didnt know if there was actually a reason behind it. Thanks guys I shall go off to buy the locakable door for the flap and will supervise. They get walked twice a day so they dont really need the 24 hour access
 
Some pups do it when they reach sexual maturity and at 7 months this could be the case. I would definitely supervise both dogs when they're out and cleaning away any poo before he gets a chance to eat it. Most pups will grow out of it. Is he eating his own or the other dog's poo? If another dog gets different food, or human titbits, they can be more likely to eat the other dog's food to get the human food.
 
Don't know what the rice content suspect it is probably rice and duck! Could well be that 2nd time around the dog can actually digest the rice better and probably there is sugar beet in it as well as that is now a popular bulking agent. Eating the grass as well I would look to the nutrition as it looks like the dog needs more than the feed is providing if it is doing these things. New Forest ponies eat some dog poo for the grain in it!
 
Our dog did this. We never managed to stop him. We just had to keep the garden clear. It did lessen as he got older. I've heard that giving a dog pineapple stops them from eating poo. Don't know if that works or not, but might be worth giving it a try!
 
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