Help, my dog ​​has been eating cat poop!

Every dog ​​that cats live with has their roommate’s favorite thing: that fancy box of kitty scones.

Cat poop, to dogs, is an irresistible truffle.

Since cat food usually contains more protein and fat than dog food, the end result is a luxury for the dog.

What’s not to luxury?

When you have to clean up an overturned litter box, vacuum up the loose litter… well, avoid your dog kisses for now.

While your cat may not mind having her canine roommate clean out her litter box, she may get stressed out when her personal space is violated.

Do dogs get sick from eating cat poop?

Although feces are full of bacteria, dogs usually don’t get sick from the occasional ingestion. Dogs (and cats) have shorter digestive tracts than humans, so when they eat food (and non-food) that carry bacteria, their bodies process what they eat so quickly that the harmful microbes don’t There is always time to fester.

Plus, the digestive tracts of our pet carnivores are highly acidic, which helps kill bacteria.

However, that doesn’t mean dogs can never get stomach or parasite infections from consuming feces, litter, and other fast food.

If your dog is obsessed with indoor cat poop from time to time, chances are very low.

If your dog isn’t vomiting or otherwise feeling unwell, eating poop probably doesn’t require an urgent trip to the veterinarian.

Even if your dog encounters outdoor cat poo that is more likely to carry parasites, it is unlikely to be a major problem if they are regularly dewormed and get the stool tested at the veterinarian at their annual health visit.

A monthly heartworm preventive that also eliminates hookworms, roundworms and whipworms is the easiest way to give you peace of mind. However, it is possible for your dog to be infected with giardia, a small parasite that can cause severe diarrhea.

cat food and poop

There is not much difference between cat food and dog food. It has a higher concentration of calories, protein and fat.

Dogs are more sensitive to fat than cats. Some dogs develop pancreatitis, which is severe swelling of the pancreas, when fed a fatty meal.

But the chances of your dog eating enough cat poop to cause them to develop acute pancreatitis are very low. Even so, this is something to keep in mind if your dog is at greater risk — such as middle-aged or elderly dogs, dogs with a history of seizures in the past, and dogs with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

If your dog regularly steals your cat’s food, or goes into the litter box frequently, they may be gaining extra weight.

Is cat litter dangerous for dogs?

If you use scoopable, clumping litter, it will most likely stick to any poop your dog may eat. Cat litter works by absorbing water and swelling, and if your dog eats too much, it can “clump” in the digestive tract, potentially causing a stomach blockage. Stomach obstruction may require surgery and can be life-threatening.

If it’s just the amount that sticks to the poop, it’s unlikely that the dog will eat enough litter to cause serious problems.

That said, certain types of litter are enough for a dog to try and eat them without poo.

Some natural litters are made from corn, walnut husks, or wheat, which dogs may want to eat.

In fact, the first cat litter I tried was “World’s Best Cat Litter”, a natural corn litter with a pleasant smell, but I had to stop using it because my dog ​​tried to eat it – on Cat No. Time before using her box once.

There are two types of natural waste, agglomerated and non-agglomerated. Clumped litter can cause blockage.

Can I train my dog ​​to stop eating cat poop?

While it is possible to train a dog not to poop, litter, and other dangerous, disgusting things, no dog is 100% reliable, especially when left alone within the enticement range.

Remember that rewarding behaviors are likely to be repeated. If your dog goes into the litter box and gets a “treat” – they will do it again and again.

Stopping this behavior by banning access to the litter box is the only way to stop strengthen that kind of behavior.

You can practice skills like “leave it” without letting your dog near the crate while you supervise your dog.

But no matter how well you train your dog, no matter how well they behave 99% of the time, if they have access to litter, there’s always a chance they’ll take a chance.

Poop-eating dogs don’t forget their manners, disobedience, or sneakiness. While they do learn to only try to eat poo when you’re not looking, it’s not personal at that moment. It’s just too tempting.

Solutions for dogs that eat poop

Your litter box needs to be out of reach of kittens, but private and out of reach of dogs.

Baby gates are great for this because most cats can climb on them, but dogs can’t. Pet doors often have smooth strips that are difficult for cats to climb. Look for baby gates with mesh that your cat can climb in and out of easily.

Top entry bins are great because not only are they private and inaccessible, but they help lock in odors. They probably won’t deter tall or large dogs, though, and some cats won’t use them.

A cat crate with a litter box on the bottom is another great help. We put the litter box on the bottom and the food and water on the top so our kitty has a place completely free of puppy intruders. It has a door on the top and bottom so I can keep the top open so she can jump in and out.

If your cat is older and arthritic, it may be difficult for them to use a top entry litter box or a litter box behind a door.

Instead, try using a litter box with a lid and a small entrance that only your cat can squeeze in. You may want to place the litter box in a large storage container with holes in it and enough room to keep your dog out of reach, even if they poke their head through the “door”.

Self-cleaning litter boxes are another great way to keep dogs from eating cat poop without jumping into the entrance. They are surprisingly affordable and easy to maintain.

Teaching your cat to use the toilet is fine too, but if your dog can reach the toilet, you’ll have to teach the kitten to flush too. I haven’t tried this yet, but it can be done. The main problem is that even flushable litter can mess up your toilet, so before attempting to potty train your kitten, consider whether you are confident in your plumbing system.

Lindsay Pevny is dedicated to helping pet parents make the best choices for their pets by providing actionable, science-based training and care tips as well as insightful pet product reviews.

she also uses her pet copywriting business Make sure to find the best pet products and services online with engaging copywriting and fun, informative blog posts.she also offers Product Description Writing Services for e-commerce companies.

As Matilda and Cow’s dog mom, she spends most of her days on long walks and practicing new tricks, and most evenings trying to make the most of the very modest part of her bed.

You’ll also find her baking and homemade pizza, laughing, painting and shopping.