According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, a dog eating cat poop from the litter box is a “part of exploratory behavior.” Eating feces, or coprophagia, is a habit with its roots in scavenger behavior as well as “normal maternal behavior [that] includes consumption of feces and urine of young puppies.” The answer to “Is …
Is Cat Poop Bad for Dogs?
Although it’s disgusting, can dogs really suffer from consuming cat poop? Even though many dogs eat cat poop and are okay with it, dogs that eat any kind of poop run the risk of ingesting dangerous bacteria and parasites. Certain bacteria, such as salmonella, have the ability to spread to humans.
Moreover, cat excrement can introduce a variety of internal parasite species into dogs. Furthermore, a parasite infection in your cat may still exist even if it isn’t manifesting any symptoms of one.
Dogs may also experience health issues if they consume large amounts of cat litter. The good news is that most dogs would need to consume a significant amount of litter before a blockage could occur. Keep a watch on your dog if they have consumed cat litter or clumping cat litter. If they have normal bowel movements, they’re probably fine. However, you should contact your veterinarian if your dog seems to be having trouble pooping, does not poop, or if their poop is unusual.
Despite these dangers, eating cat poop by your dog usually won’t have any negative health effects. But one habit your dog has to give up immediately is eating cat poop, for the sake of both of your health.
Choosing The Right Breed
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Though it may sound repulsive, dogs eat cat poop because it is a natural behavior for them to do so. You may have wondered this when you were out in the yard with your dog. When it comes down to it, dogs prefer to eat strongly scented foods, such as cat poop or, better yet, cat food.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Cat Feces
It can be quite challenging to break this habit, and it probably will require perseverance and a willingness to try a variety of strategies.