How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Cat Poop

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If you are a dog owner, you will not be shocked to learn that dogs can be disgusting. They seem to have a strange affection towards eating things we humans find disgusting. One of these things is cat poop. It really doesn’t matter if you have a cat at home or your dog simply comes across some cat poop on your daily walks - they might want to eat it.

But why do dogs eat cat poop? Is it possible to teach them to stop doing that?

Those are some questions many dog owners ask themselves. If you have such a problem and your dog has some questionable eating choices, here is what you should know about it and how to stop it.

Why do dogs eat cat poop?

Humans look at eating poop as disgusting, stomach-twisting behavior, but it is entirely natural for dogs. It is a part of their scavenger nature. Cat poop isn’t the only thing dogs like to eat that is not considered food. They will eat things with a pungent smell, like cat poop, cat food, garbage, socks, or other animal poop. You might think your dog eating cat poop is gross, but to them, it probably smells like cat food.

Many dog owners want to know if their dogs can eat cat food. Here is what you should know - Can dogs eat cat food?

Some dogs seem to love eating things that are not food. One of the potential reasons for that is a disorder called pica. Dogs can have psychological or physical issues that cause them to eat inedible things. Luckily, this issue can be resolved. You can read more about it here - Pica in dogs.

How to stop your dog from eating cat poop?

One of the first things dog owners want to know is how to stop their dogs from eating cat poop. You can try a few things, and who knows, they might work for you and your dog. It might prevent them from eating cat poop, and pretty soon, you will once again have a dog that has great feeding choices.

1. Litter box placement

One of the first things dog owners that have cats can try is placing the cat’s litter box somewhere their dog cannot reach it. The theory behind this is pretty simple - Your dog cannot eat cat poop if they cannot reach it. You can place the cat’s litter box somewhere high or in a part of your home your dog is not allowed into. You can use dog gates to keep your dog’s mouth safely away from the cat’s litter box. This is an effective way of preventing your dog from eating cat poop.

2. Dog-proof litter box

Another way of keeping your dog’s mouth away from cat poop is to get a dog-proof litter box. These litter boxes come in all shapes and sizes, and they will all prevent your dog from getting to your cat’s feces. Some dog-proof litter boxes have a fantastic design and can really spruce up your home. If you want to know a bit more about these products or what they look like, check out this article - Dog-proof litter box.

3. Add pepper to the litter box

One of the coolest pieces of advice we got from cat owners is - add some black pepper to the cat’s litter box. If your dog seems drawn to your cat’s feces, you can simply sprinkle the litter box with black pepper. Every time the dog gets close to sniff the freshest addition to the litter box, they will immediately be repelled by the pepper in their nostrils. This seems like a very cheap and imaginative way to settle this issue.

4. Change your dog’s nutrition

Dogs can eat cat poop for many reasons like boredom, curiosity, or pica. However, they can also look to replenish something that lacks in their usual nutrition. You can try switching your dog’s usual kibble to something more nutritious. It is entirely possible your dog’s food doesn’t provide them with everything they need, so they can look for alternative sources of food. Unfortunately, one of these sources can be your cat’s litter box.

If you want to know what dog food to choose for your dog, here is an article that can help you - The best dry dog food.

5. Leave it! command

One of the best ways to prevent your dog from eating cat poop is by teaching them the “Leave it!” command. It is a lengthy process, but it is one of the most useful commands your dog can learn. You can use it whenever your dog tries to eat something they are not supposed to eat. This command can be a life-saver if your dog puts something toxic in their mouths like chocolate, raisins, alcohol, or poison.

6. Test your dog for parasites

This is not a prevention technique but rather a reaction you should have if you live in a neighborhood filled with cat poop. Sometimes, it can be nearly impossible to avoid cat poop. Your dog might not be able to help themselves, and no matter what you do, your dog will grab some cat poop to eat. The best thing you can do is control your dog for internal parasites. Many of them infect animals through other animal’s poop, so “deworming” will become necessary.

7. Keep your dog busy

Bored dogs will look for ways to entertain themselves. This is especially true for highly active dog breeds like the Belgian Malinois, German Shorthaired Pointer, or Border Collies. These are very intelligent breeds, and they can easily get bored. One of the ways they will explore and entertain themselves is by eating cat poop. If they eat cat poop, they will get a reaction from you, which is what ultimately dogs want - interaction with their owners. You should make sure your dog receives enough exercise and playtime throughout the day, so they don’t get bored and look to cat litter boxes for fun.

World Dog Finder team