Puppy eating own poo

Henry.Col

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Hi All,

I have a 9 week old pup who is very healthy and growing like mad! She is very active and training well. Only thing that I have really noticed in the last few days is her eating her own poo..... a little odd!

After researching it on the internet and asking a few doggy friends it appears it is relatively common and just puppy being a puppy! I think it is a little unsavoury even though wont affect her health - I have been advised feeding pineapple will stop her due to nasty taste?? Is this a proven technique?

The only time she does it is if she has messed in her cage over night - otherwise it is cleared straight away.

Alice
 
She is probably not happy messing in her cage and is eating it to clean up after herself. Dogs are naturally clean animals and don't like messing in their bed. I wouldn't worry too much as it is a puppy thing but perhaps feed her a earlier to give her plenty of time to go to toilet before bed and straight out into the garden first thing. I presume she doesn't eat poo from the garden?
 
It's quite normal for them to eat bird poo, horse poo, rabbit poo, etc. Definitely clean up her own poo whenever pup spends in the garden to prevent the opportunity and hopefully she'll grow out of it.
 
What are you feeding her? some more grainey/cereal based food dnt gets digested as well and make lovely 2nd serving esp when warm:eek::p

It can be normal, esp with dogs with a good appetite, but generally the better quality food the less waste. Pineapple can work or outside, then scoop it up immediately to take the chance to eat it away or u can cover it will chilli, give it a negative association:eek::p
 
Hi All,

I have a 9 week old pup who is very healthy and growing like mad! She is very active and training well.
.......

The only time she does it is if she has messed in her cage over night - otherwise it is cleared straight away.

Alice

Alice, 3 points which I feel certain that others will disagree with, as you may;

1. I wouldn't keep a puppy, or any dog for that matter, in a cage overnight.

2. I would expect a house living puppy to be house trained by the age of 9 weeks.

and 3. I'm not too sure what you mean by "training", puppies of 9 weeks cannot be receptive to "training". I may have misunderstood you on this point though.

I have only ever had one youngster which took a delight in eating its own muck. It's a disgusting habit, and one which I fail to understand. Some have suggested mineral or trace element deficiencies, but with the modern feeds which are available, that would surprise me. I suspect that some of the very high protein (and depending on the breed, potentially extremely dangerous), feeds will retain a high protein content when they are expelled. Perhaps that's what makes it so attractive. As a matter of interest what is the breed of your puppy, and what are you feeding?

Filthy little sods! :eek::D

Alec.
 
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