German Shepherds are known for their guarding instincts, but it may become a problem if they start following other kinds of instincts, such as eating feces.
To get your German Shepherd to stop eating poop, feed them a healthy diet, give them vitamin B and enzyme supplements such as papain. You should also be certain that they do not have any underlying health conditions or aren’t experiencing excess environmental stress.
Figuring out how to get your dog to stop eating feces can be a hassle since there could be many different reasons for the bad habit. This article will describe the possible reasons your dog could be eating poop and how you can stop the habit.
Know Why Your Dog Is Eating Poop
Dr. Benjamin Hart looked into this phenomenon and found that over 24% of dogs eat poop at least once. Chances are, you are here because your dog is in that percentage. The scientific name for this is coprophagia, and your dog has multiple behavioral and physiological reasons for engaging in this odd habit.
It Is Common For Puppies To Eat Poop
If you have a young German Shepherd and find that they are eating their poop, don’t worry too much. They will normally grow out of this behavior. Feces can contain lots of nutrients, and some animals like rabbits need to eat their poop to get this nutrition. On the other hand, dogs can get this nutrition from other places.
Before the puppy is nine months old, it will be common for the mother and the puppies to eat their poop. The mother eats her puppies’ poop too. While this habit will eventually disappear, it is important to keep an eye on it.
Eating the feces of other animals can be very dangerous for your German Shepherds. Their own poop may be harmless, but other animals’ waste could contain toxins, parasites, and viruses.
Dogs May Have Eaten Their Poop In The Past To Protect Pack Members
According to Dr. Hart, the habit of eating feces may be in a canine’s DNA. He suggests that dogs may have eaten their feces in the past to protect the rest of the pack from harmful bacteria present in the poop. While situations are a bit different today for dogs, you may still see this in an environment with many dogs living together.
Eating Feces May Have Been a Survival Skill
Steven R. Lindsay, an animal behaviorist, explains in his book Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training that eating feces may have been a survival skill for dogs in the past, and may still be, depending on the situation. Food may not have always been readily available, so to keep starvation at bay. Dogs may have resorted to eating their feces or the feces of other animals.
Make Sure Your German Shepherd Has A Healthy Diet
One of the first things you can do is make sure you are feeding your furry friend enough food. A simple explanation for their odd eating habits is that they are hungry. German Shepherds are large animals, which means they will need a lot of food. However, the amount you feed your dog will depend on their age and weight:
- 10-30 pounds: If your German Shepherd is still growing and is between 10-30 pounds, make sure you are feeding it between 1 ¼ and 2 ¼ cups a day.
- 30-50 pounds: Feed them between 2 ¼ and 3 ½ cups a day.
- 50-80 pounds: Your German Shepherd will need 3 ½ to 4 ½ cups of food per day.
- 100 pounds or higher: While this weight is highly unlikely for a German Shepherd, it could still happen. Make sure to feed this weight of dog 5 cups a day, and ½ cup more every 10 pounds it gains.
When you feed your German Shepherd, make sure they have a high-protein diet containing nutrients, minerals, and carbohydrates. You can also contact your vet and make a diet plan with them personalized to your German Shepherd’s needs.
Even though paying attention to the feeding charts is a good idea, you should monitor their energy levels and weight. If they are too skinny, add more kibble to the bowl. If they are overweight, slowly decrease the amount you feed them until they reach the optimal weight. (Read more: German Shepherd Weight Guide)
Make Sure Your Dog Does Not Have Underlying Health Issues
Another reason that your dog is eating poop could be that it has underlying health issues. If your German Shepherd is eating more feces than usual, make sure to contact your vet to get a check-up. There could be a few different issues that your dog could be experiencing, such as:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Any condition that is causing an increase in appetite
- Parasites
- Drugs (steroids)
- Malabsorption problems
Your Dog Might Be Experiencing Environmental Stress
Not only could your dog be eating feces because of health conditions, but environmental factors may be stressing out your German Shepherd. There are many different things that this could mean:
- Isolation or confinement. It is quite common for dogs who live in confined spaces or in isolation to eat their feces or the feces of other dogs. If you keep your German Shepherd in a kennel and notice a higher instance of them eating their poop, make sure to evaluate how long you are keeping them in isolation. High amounts of isolation and confinement are not healthy for dogs.
- Fear of punishment or anxiety. Your German Shepherd may be eating their feces to avoid punishment from their owner. If you notice this habit in the home, they might be trying to eliminate the evidence of their accidents.
- Confusion of their food source. If you feed your dog in a nearby spot where they have their bowel movements, they might be finding it hard to sort out what smell is feces and what is food. Make sure to keep their food bowl far away from where they do their business to avoid this problem.
- Living with an older dog. As previously mentioned, it was common for dogs to eat feces to protect the rest of the pack or weaker dogs from parasites and other predators. If your dog is eating an older dog’s poop, they may be trying to protect them.
Give Your Dog Multivitamins Or Enzyme Supplements
A very common remedy to stop your dog from eating feces is to give them a multivitamin. Start with vitamin B if you are going with this option. Furthermore, enzyme supplements could help with this issue, particularly ones that contain papain. As always, consult with your Vet before introducing any of these supplements to your dog.
Final Thoughts
There are a few different things you can do to stop your dog from eating feces. First of all, be certain that your dog is eating enough food and has a proper and healthy diet. If your furry friend is not getting enough nutrients in its diet, it may look to feces to fill up on vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, some environmental stressors can encourage fecal eating.
If your dog is eating poop, check with your vet to ensure your German Shepherd does not have any health issues.