Eating poop. Need suggestions unique to the situation!

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

My dogs have always occasionally eaten poop, typically only if our cat had been out in the backyard type thing, and that doesn't bother me too much 'cause it's the cat's poop after all (delicacy *gag*). But lately, all Trixie does is eat poop. She is GAINING WEIGHT from the amount of poop she's eating, and I observed her eating it as fast as Missie was pooping it the other day, no joke (sorry, I should've put a warning on how gross this post has to be!). She and Missie seem to be the ones that primarily do it, but I'm the most concerned by Trixie's complete obsession with it. I googled the topic and looked up some solutions, but I wanted to ask you guy's opinions on if I should be concerned about a medical problem (what medical problems would cause this? Diet insufficiency?), and also if any of you had tried a remedy (Forbid, hot sauce, etc.) and found it to be effective. With 5 dogs, a doggie door, and a LIFE, I just cannot be out there every time a dog poops to prevent Trixie from getting it!! So I need some serious help figuring out how to remedy this one, please!!

Thank you so much for any advice you can offer! It's really becoming a problem.

[SpringerLover]

I've heard forbid works. The only other option I can think of is taking away doggy door privileges for a while. The dogs only go outside on a leash. Restrict access for the two offenders and REALLY praise for going potty and leaving it there.

I forget, what are they eating again? (food and treats)

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

All the dogs are on Kirkland (Costco) lamb and rice kibble, and also get fish oil caps daily. They don't get regular treats, but they get the occasional mini dog biscuit, and then any people food that's healthy I usually give them a bite of (cheese, vegetables, eggs, etc.).

I'm wondering if Trixie isn't getting enough to eat (in her mind anyway!)? She was maintaining a good weight up until really recently. All the little dogs get half a cup of food daily, divided into two meals. I heap the measuring cup differently for each dog according to size, so Trixie gets a few less kibbles than Ollie and Missie. Trixie came to me fat and has always been a voracious eater who's hard to keep weight off of. She was free fed in her previous home (Science Diet), but she's been on two meals for almost a year now.

[Snow_dog]

Yeah, I agree with SpringerLover. You should put something like a piece of plywood over the doggie door, and only let them out on a leash. If they continue to eat thier poop after you leash them, yank on the leash, and pull them away.

[Snow_dog]

It's like, "No poop for you young ladie!"

[PawNclaws]

Ok this may seem odd, but a few Labrador breeders have been using Fig Newtons and have had success ! 1 Fig Newton a day/per dog and they say it's working pretty darn well. Here is a quote from one who stated the reason why it works good :

Just a thought. It is not that FIG NEWTONS make the waste less desirable from a taste perspective.

IT is the fact that the dogs are now getting more enzymes (picin) which is what they need in the first place.

I bet papya or pineapple works well too.

Not saying it's 100% true, but so far all who have used the 3 above, have had it work great.

[Punkygirl0101]

I have the same exact problem as you with Daggett (Dachshund). But most of my dogs like eating cat poop, and Reese will also eat dog poop (But not as much as Daggett). And they do the same gross thing as eating it WHILE its coming out. (Its sickening). Its funny, my dogs eat the same thing as your dogs.

I also don't have time to clean up the poop in the backyard everytime they do it. I generally rake the yard into a pile every other day, and then once a week pick up that pile and mow/weed the yard.

I am also interested in people's methods. I also heard something about pineapple juice. My dogs are free fed (And maintain a healthy weight except Daggett who is overweight but has lost a lot of weight). I was wondering if her being overweight had to do with the poop she eats.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

PawnClaws, I actually did read something about pineapple being used (the article or post I originally read said it made the poop taste bad, but looking it up now I'm seeing it has a necessary enzyme that replaces the dog's need for poop eating).

If I go out and buy some canned pineapple and try that, do I need to be concerned about anything in that? Excess sugars or anything? With the Fig Newtons I'm thinking added sugars and other ingredients that aren't helping but are adding calories. lol If it was Aysa I wouldn't care, but Trixie puts on weight too easily for me not to. I saw an article saying there is a supplement made for humans with papaya that works, as well.

So I think I'm going to try papaya or pineapple and see if it works! I'll let you know, too, Punky, as that would be easy enough for both of us, I think.

ETA: Here's the article I was primarily reading from: Coping with Copraphagia

[calgal]

I used fresh pineapple on some fosters who did this and it stops them. It changes the poop to a very unpleasant odor to them.

[Snow_dog]

Ahh, yes. My dog use to do that..

[reggies mom]

Reggie used to love poopsicles!! I put a bit of pumpkin in her food. Makes the poop taste bad. (personally I think it would taste bad anyway..lol) It worked.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

We started some pineapple all around today, so we'll see how it goes! I need to look up again how much and how often I'm supposed to be giving it, though. Any suggestions??

[Lunachick]

I give Zoe pumpkin with her meals everyday. Not to stop the poop eating, but to make firmer poops. She has a bad tummy. She still eats poop, though I don't know if it's her own or the others. She definitely loves poopsicles though, omg. I think pineapple works well for that. I'll give some to Zoe whenever we have some at home.

[calgal]

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

We started some pineapple all around today, so we'll see how it goes! I need to look up again how much and how often I'm supposed to be giving it, though. Any suggestions??

I would give a couple generous size pieces each day. For tiny dogs it would be a about a half a tablespoons.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Thank you Calgal! That's about what I gave yesterday, so I'll continue with that. They all actually loved it! :-)