Fort Collins Veterinary Clinic: Paws of the Rockies Animal Hospital

Fall 2010 - In this Issue: > Why do dogs eat poop? > Dry Spell
Why do dogs eat poop?

There are many different theories on why dogs engage in coprophagia (poop eating). One theory states that the behavior is due to a nutrient deficiency in the diet. Currently there is not conclusive data on this theory, however. This does not mean that some dogs with digestive problems or poor diets will not eat their own feces, but most dogs DO NOT have a physiological or gastrointestinal basis for this behavior. The other main theory behind dogs eating their stool is due to boredom. Dogs with few stimuli will often engage in coprophagy due to their urge to chew. And once a pattern of stool eating has begun, it is often a difficult behavior to break. The easiest way to prevent your dog from eating stool is to keep your yard free of feces and supervise (and correct) dogs when they are in the yard or on leash walks. Intestinal parasite transmission is a risk for coprophagic animals, so they should have frequent stool samples checked for parasite burdens by a veterinarian. Behavior modification techniques for coprophagic dogs include offering praise	as soon as your dog walks away from a bowel movement or re-directing the dog to an appropriate chew item after a bowel movement. You can also "set up" the dog in a tempting situation and give it a short, but loud correction when he/she attempts to eat the stool. Then praise and give a treat when the dog is no longer tempted to eat the stool during the exercise. Environmental modification techniques include mental stimulation and frequent yard clean up. Offering a variety of dog chews and toys to occupy your dog when it is alone can be helpful in discouraging any inappropriate eating behavior. Dogs can get bored with old toys, just as humans do, so rotating toys on a regular basis will give your dog the mental stimulation it needs.	There are several oral products on the market to aid in ending coprophagia. Paws of the Rockies carries two: Coproban and Forbid. Coproban is a chewable, flavored tablet and Forbid is a crystalline powder. Both are plant-based proteins that are fed to the dog, are not digested by the body, and are pooped out in the stool, making the stool distasteful. THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT MUST BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH BEHAVIOR / ENVIRONMENT MODIFICATION IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK. Without a change in training and re-direction of the stool eating behavior, the problem will often return once the treatment has ended. Be sure you are not overfeeding your dog because undigested food in the feces will propagate coprophagy. Feeding a high quality food is also important since many of the lower quality foods are less digestible, which can encourage the problem.

> Back to top

Dry Spell

Colorado has a dry climate, but in winter the indoor heating systems that keep us toasty warm also remove out the moisture from the air and our skin. Add in the cold, dry winter air and maybe some wind and this makes a recipe for dry skin. If your skin is dry, most likely your pets' is too. Dogs and cats can get flakey or itchy skin, and their coat can become dull and brittle from the dry winter air. Paw pads may even crack, especially if they walk outside on the snow and ice. What are some ways to prevent the winter-time blues? Luckily, there are plenty of tips and products available to protect and restore your pet's skin and coat. 1. Booties are the easiest solution to protecting your dogs' feet from the many winter hazards, such as ice melt, sharp ice edges, snowballs, and the cold. They also provide traction on slippery surfaces. Most outdoor retailers and pet supply stores carry booties. You will need to measure your dog's feet to get the correct fit. 2. It is also important to keep your pet's feet well groomed. Keep the fur trimmed between the pads. This will help prevent snow build up if booties are not used in the snow. 3. Paw balm can be used on the pads of the feet to prevent cracking.	If your pet's pads look dry, it is better to apply the balm as a preventative measure, than to wait until your pet's pads crack, bleed, or become too painful to walk on! Most balms are non-greasy and non-slippery so they can be applied inside or out. 4. Bathing is important in the winter, despite the wives tales about the drying effect of baths. If you use the right products, a bath can actually increase moisture in your pet's skin and coat. Make sure to use shampoos and conditioners that are made with natural, detergent-free, chemical-free, and even organic ingredients. Hypoallergenic varieties with natural botanicals or skin healing ingredients can also help calm the driest of coats. Most veterinarians and pet supply stores will carry a variety of products, so ask for what would be best for your pet's symptoms. There is not one part of the bath that is more important than others, but the rinse cycle is important to get right. Even the most gentle shampoo can cause skin irritation or dull coat appearance if not fully rinsed.	After you feel you have fully rinsed out the shampoo, don't forget to use a conditioner. All pets, even those with short coats, can benefit from conditioner or crème rinse. This step helps to replenish moisture to the skin and coat, leaving a softer, sleeker, shinier coat. The crème rinse must also be rinsed out completely to avoid drying of the skin. 5. Moisturizing spray is one product that can be applied when the coat is dry and is not rinsed away. It contains plant emollients and proteins that soothe and hydrate the skin and coat without making it greasy to the touch. Moisturizing spray can be used to extend the effect between baths or to prevent dry skin. 6. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are an important ingredient in your pet's diet, just like they are in your diet. Many pet foods now contain Omega 3 Fatty Acids, but some do not provide sufficient amounts for the dry Colorado climate. Supplements are available in the grocery store, but may not be dosed properly for dogs and cats. Check with your vet to get the right Fatty Acids for your pets. 7. Using a humidifier in your house can help both you and your pet. A humidifier will replace some of the moisture that is removed from your indoor heating system, helping your pet's skin to retain more moisture.

> Back to top