What is Coprophagia?
Coprophagia is the act of consuming feces and has been observed in many different species. Dogs are among those animals that have been seen engaging in this behavior, but why do they do it? It’s not a pleasant topic, but understanding why dogs eat cat poop can help owners to prevent the habit from occurring.
Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?
There are several theories as to why dogs engage in coprophagia. The most common explanation is that dogs enjoy exploring their environment with their mouth and nose and find the smell or taste of cat feces appealing. Other explanations include nutritional deficiencies or behavioral issues such as anxiety, boredom or attention-seeking.
Some experts believe that there may be an evolutionary purpose for this behavior because when wild dogs scavenged for food, eating feces was probably a way to get additional nutrients from whatever prey had already been consumed by another animal. In addition, some veterinarians speculate that puppies may learn the behavior from their mother if she eats her own stool or that of other animals while nursing them.
It’s also possible that a dog’s desire to eat cat poop could be motivated by competition; cats often bury their waste which makes it difficult for other animals (including dogs) to access and consume it first. This might cause some canine instinctive competitiveness and lead them to seek out any excrement they can find so they don’t miss out on an easy meal!
What Are The Health Risks Of Eating Cat Feces?
Eating cat feces can pose significant health risks for your dog, even if he only does it occasionally. The main concern is picking up parasites like tapeworms (which cats commonly carry), roundworms, hookworms or giardia—all of which can easily be passed on through contaminated fecal matter and contaminate your home environment too! Additionally, ingesting large amounts of fiber found in kitty litter might also cause digestive upset or blockages depending on how much gets consumed each time your pup indulges himself with his new snack choice!
