Coprophagia in puppies

Coprophagia is a fairly common phenomenon in dogs, which can lead to stomach or intestinal disorders, infection with parasites or transmission of infections. Pathology is not a disease, it is an unpleasant habit that can be combated. Coprophagia is the eating of animal excrement. It is most often found in dogs (especially puppies). In this case, the pet can eat both its own and other people's feces. Causes of coprophagia  So far, the exact causes of the pathology have not been identified. All possible versions are not officially confirmed by research. For example, in puppies, coprophagy is most likely a method of cognition of the world and the formation of intestinal flora. There is also a possibility that the pet eats feces due to a lack of nutrients in the body. According to research, a lack of thiamine leads to coprophagia.   There are other possible causes of the phenomenon. Lack of attention. Lack of emotional communication with the owner, his indifferent or rude treatment of the pet can provoke problems in the relationship between them. As a result, the puppy tries to attract attention through coprophagy. Boring environment. Monotonous walks in the same places, lack of activities with a pet lead to coprophagia. In this way, the puppy tries to entertain himself. Hunger. If the pet is hungry, it may start eating feces. Constant stress and anxiety. Coprophagia in this case may be temporary. If the causes of stress and anxiety are eliminated, the pathology will be eliminated. The method of the game. In puppies, coprophagia often occurs as a game in which the pet explores the environment and learns everything by heart. Copying the behavior of other animals. If you have other pets suffering from coprophagia in your house, then the puppy, noticing their behavior, may begin to repeat after them. Helminthiasis. Infection with worms often distorts the taste of dogs.

Elimination of coprophagia If coprophagia did not arise as a result of poor care and violations of the conditions of detention, then it will not harm the pet in any way. However, the phenomenon can cause discomfort to the owner himself. It is not recommended to independently try to wean the dog from eating feces by punishments or prohibitions, as this technique will only aggravate the situation and form fear in the puppy. Forget about punishments in principle. Firstly, the animal is not always aware of what it is being scolded for. Secondly, such behavior can be perceived by a pet as a manifestation of attention. Harsh punishments will lead to negative consequences in the dog's behavior. There are 3 ways of the owner's behavioral strategies: prevention – it is necessary to deprive the pet of the opportunity to find and eat feces through restrictions, reassignment – the owner distracts the pet's attention to his favorite treat or toy, reaction replacement – training in alternative behavior, for example, the command "lie down" with the establishment of eye contact.