Re: Stool eating

In Reply to: Stool eating
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Danny
Posted on:  February 27, 2002 at 01:31:32

: Our 7 month male is constantly eating his stools, if we are not careful on walks he will try to eat other dogs stools. we have changed food. He house broke very well, very little discipline was required. He is very well treated & made part of our daily routines. This seems to increasing in regularity, at the same time he has stopped eating his food, no matter what brand we try (Iams, Pedigree, ukanuba,) He always is more than happy to try & steal our food though. If he gets hungry enough he will eat 3/4 cup per day.. The problem seems simple, just change food but it seems to be a temporary fix.

Response:

Dear Danny,

A healthy dog will not starve itself; as you noted, your terrier will eat 3/4 cup of food if he's hungry enough. By constantly altering and/or adding to his diet, you are reacting to your own needs (I'd don't want him to be hungry!) rather then his.

These changes in diet upset his digestive system. If his system is unable to properly use the food then it will go right through him (so to speak!) His stool will contain the undigested food and thus, he considers it "food."

I suggest you pick a dog food and stick with it. Divide the daily suggested ration into two meals roughly 12 hours apart. Give him 20 minutes to eat his "breakfast;" if he won't eat, then pick up the food and give it him for "dinner." If he still won't eat, then repeat the procedure until he does. (Yes, you may give him a cookie/biscuit at noon but that's all he gets besides his regular meals!) He'll learn soon enough to eat what (and when) he's supposed to.

I know it's difficult to do this but keep in mind that this is for his health. Hang in there!

Leslie