Dogs eat poop due to a variety of reasons. A health issue, fear, anxiety, and lack of vitamins might be behind this behaviour. If you think your pet has some health issue, you can talk to your vet. Also, if your pet is insecure, you can find out and eliminate the cause.
If there is no exact cause for such behaviour, you can think of other available solutions. As dogs are loyal companions, you can train them to stop this habit. However, training will require your time and effort. If you want an immediate solution, you can use a dog muzzle to prevent eating poop. It is a proven and safe way to address such behaviour in dogs.
I have seen many pet owners using dog muzzles. You will find muzzles effective and safe. However, you will have to find a suitable muzzle to avoid inconvenience. Some muzzles are uncomfortable and can cause a lot of discomfort to your non-human friend. Instead of addressing the problem, uncomfortable muzzles can develop aggressive behaviour in pets. Hence, you will have to find an appropriate and safe product. A quality product will ensure durable usage and a comfortable fit.
How to Stop Your Dog to Eat Poop
There are many ways to prevent your pet from eating poop. The muzzle is a proven way, and vets also recommend it. You can cover the mouth of your pet with a muzzle. It will stop this disappointing behaviour naturally. However, muzzles might not work for all breeds. More importantly, some pets are not comfortable with muzzles. Hence, you will have to consider available alternative options.
You can use a taste deterrent to stop poop-eating behaviour in your pet. Currently, many such products are available. You might need a bit of research to find a suitable and safe stool-eating deterrent. However, it will not stop the poop-eating behaviour. Your pet will eat untreated poop whenever possible. Therefore, you will have to use a more effective solution.
You can talk to your vet to know the cause. Remember that digestive issues can develop this behaviour in dogs. If you visit an experienced vet, you might have an idea about the reason. Also, your vet can give probiotics, digestive supplements, and other digestive aids to treat the problem. Many prefer probiotics since it supports the overall digestive health and can address the poop eating problem. In addition to all these, you can train your dog to stop this behaviour.
Teach your pet to be with you while walking outside. Train a few commands, including drop it and leave it. However, these commands can be helpful whenever you are with your pet.
What Makes the Muzzle a Suitable Choice?
As mentioned earlier, there are many ways to stop the poop-eating behaviour of your pet. However, all will have their complications and requirements. For example, training will require your time. Also, you will not be there to observe your pet always.
You can also use deterrents to prevent your dog from eating poops. However, if you miss adding the stool eating deterrent, your pet will eat poop. The desire will be more in that condition. Therefore, the muzzle can be a perfect and quick fix.
Additionally, muzzles are easy to use and easy to access. You can check the material and design to have a safe product for your pet. Introduce it positively to win the trust of your dog. Make sure that the muzzle has holes to ensure easy passing of heat. Otherwise, it can be dangerous for your non-human family member.
Muzzles will make your pet restricted. Also, you might get strange looks from passersby while walking with your pet. A muzzle might transform the look of your walk. But it will prevent your dog from eating anything. Moreover, muzzles will have gaps, and you can satisfy your pet with a treat whenever needed.
Best Dog Muzzle to Prevent Eating Everything
Most muzzles come with a specific purpose. They prevent the biting behaviour of dogs and make them disciplined. Also, muzzles can be the best to stop your pet from eating rubbish. Different types of muzzles are available in the current market. Therefore, it might not be easy for first-time buyers to find a suitable one.
Many use a fabric muzzle for their pets. Fabric muzzles can help if the material is comfortable and soft. Super soft and basket muzzles can prevent your pet from panting. But you cannot use fabric muzzles for a long time. Your pet will feel uncomfortable. Therefore, you will have to find a muzzle that you can use whenever you want without bothering about the discomfort and heat.
The best one is a basket muzzle since it will have gaps to offer comfort and breathability. If you use a basket muzzle, your pet can breathe easily. Once your pet is familiar with it, the discomfort level will also be less. However, other muzzles will cover the mouth of a dog completely.
Additionally, you can consider the one that comes with an open nose. The benefit is that it will help with easy breathing. It will enable your pet to breathe through its mouth. Also, an open nose muzzle will support drinking.
Risks Associated with Muzzles
Some pet owners believe that muzzles are not safe and can cause safety concerns. Therefore, they keep avoiding muzzles. However, muzzles are safe and will not harm your pet. But you will have to choose a suitable material and design. It is worth mentioning that muzzles might not be safe for those with flat faces and short noses. We can take the example of bulldogs. Hence, make sure that your pet can breathe with a muzzle.
How to Stop Dog from Eating Poop Home Remedies
If you want some proven home remedies, you can try lemon. You can also use hot sauce. Both are effective and can enable you to stop the poop-eating behaviour of your dog. However, it will require your effort. You will have to coat the stool with lemon juice or hot sauce. You can also consider an easy solution. You can mix a few tablespoons of pumpkin in the dog food. Yes, you will love the outcome. Your pet will not eat poop anymore. Apart from all these, you can use a meat tenderizer. All these will make the dog waste unpleasant for your pet. Hence, your dog will not eat the poop. However, you will have to pick up the poop regularly.
Best Stool Eating Deterrent for Dogs
You will find many stool-eating deterrents in the current market. Also, you can use lemon juice and hot sauce. You can follow the above method while using lemon or sauce. Pumpkin will also serve the purpose. You can try all these to stop the poop-eating behaviour of your pet. These simple additions will make the waste terrible for your pet. Besides, you can teach the leave it command. You can also use the deterrents available in the market.
Different types of stool-eating deterrents are accessible. You can check the usage and benefits to find a suitable one. Also, go through the reviews of customers. It will help to know the positives and negatives of a product. Always go with a safe product. If your dog has any health issues, you can talk to a vet before adding any new product to its diet.
How to Stop Dog Scavenging on Walks without a Muzzle
A muzzle is the most effective way. It will prevent your dog from eating anything while exploring outside. It will stop your pet from eating any food or rubbish. However, your pet can eat and pant with a muzzle. If you do not want to use a muzzle, you will have to consider other alternatives. You can try the following to stop this behaviour of your pet.
- Give food to your dog before going outside. A well-fed dog will not feel like exploring food.
- Train your dog to stay by your side while walking. Observe your pet and avoid tempting areas.
- Take some treats with you to divert the attention of your dog.
- Get the favourite toy of your pet to focus more on playing.
- Make your pet disciplined with ‘Drop It’ and ‘Leave It’ commands.
Follow these simple things to have more fun with your pet while exploring outside. You should have something to feed your pet to satisfy its craving. Also, play with your pet to divert attention. More importantly, you should avoid exploring tempting areas.
FAQs
Pumpkin to Stop Dog Eating Poop
As mentioned earlier, a pumpkin can stop the poop-eating behaviour of your pet. You will find many deterrents with pumpkin, spinach, and pineapple. However, you can also add pumpkin to the food of your pet. Pumpkin will make the dog waste inedible for your dog. You can add a few tablespoons of pumpkin every day.
Do Probiotics Stop Dogs from Eating Poop?
Yes, probiotics can stop your dog from eating poop. Your dog might develop poop-eating behaviour due to some digestion issues. Therefore, probiotics can work as a natural solution. Also, probiotics can improve the overall digestive health of dogs. They can maintain proper intestinal microflora and stop the poop-eating habit.
