Coprophagia is a term many people may not fully understand; essentially it is when a puppy or an adult dog eats their poop or other dogs’ poop. There are very few times when Coprophagia may be deemed “normal”, such as nursing female dogs, and very young puppies. Naturally, these are phases that typically disappear with some time all on their own, but in some cases, it may not go away. That is when Coprophagia becomes a problem.
What is Coprophagia in Shih Tzu?
Coprophagia is the consumption of stool or feces by dogs. It is not uncommon for very young puppies to consume their stool, but as they grow generally most puppies will outgrow this as they learn that food is tastier.
Coprophagia can be caused by a wide number of issues including:
- It tastes good
- Anxiety or boredom
- Vitamin or mineral deficiency
- Hiding the evidence of pooping in the house to avoid punishment
- Attempting to clean their living area
- Copying other dogs’ behavior
- Overfeeding
- Scavenging due to hunger
- A side effect of antibiotics
- To hide the illness of another dog from predators
These are a few of the reasons that some professionals suspect may cause Coprophagia in Shih Tzu and other dogs. There may be other reasons for this behavior, however these are some of the most common.
How do I stop my dog from eating feces?
There are a few ways that you can correct Coprophagia in Shih Tzu.
- Training – training can help overcome Coprophagia when done correctly. Choosing the right training program is instrumental. I recommend using Baxter and Bella; their extensive class list will offer the solutions you need for your Shih Tzu. You can use the code DIVINEPUPS when you sign up.
- Supplements – Supplements can be used to help promote healthy gut bacteria. When your Shih Tzu gut is healthy, they are less likely to suffer from Coprophagia. I recommend using PawTree’s Gastro Pro Plus supplements. These supplements are all-natural, and use a combination of different ingredients, herbs, and minerals to promote gut health in dogs.
- Sticking to a feeding regimen – Shih Tzu can develop Coprophagia if they are overfed, or if they are experiencing hunger. Making sure you are feeding your Shih Tzu proper portions can help quell Coprophagia. Feeding your Shih Tzu twice a day, morning and evening, can also help ensure your Shih Tzu isn’t experiencing hunger due to not being fed often enough.
It is important to treat Coprophagia properly and promptly. Coprophagia can negatively affect your Shih Tzu health if left untreated. If your Shih Tzu suffers from Coprophagia, it is even more important to ensure that all of their vaccinations are fully up-to-date.
