Golden Retrievers are loyal companions. They love their humans and love giving kisses even more. However, if your pup is prone to snacking on the more undesirable items like (gross!) other dogs’ poop, you will probably be hesitant to return those kisses. Why do dogs do that, anyway? And how do we stop it?
Golden Retrievers will often eat poop due to:
- Nutritional deficiency
- Parasites/an illness that increases appetite
- Attention-seeking
- Close associations between food and poop
Taking your dog to the vet, changing their diet, making sure they’re active, and keeping a clean living space can help discourage this habit.
In this article, we will explore some of the common reasons dogs like Golden Retrievers eat poop and what you can do to stop it. By the end, you will be equipped with solutions so you can give your furry friend all the love they deserve (even kisses)!
Why Do Golden Retrievers Eat Poop?
Have you noticed that your four-legged best friend enjoys a snack from the cat’s litterbox or tries to “clean up” his own mess by eating it? Well, don’t worry, you are not alone! This is a common issue with dogs, especially food-motivated breeds such as Golden Retrievers.
Coprophagia, or stool-eating, can be caused by both environmental and physiological issues. Also, believe it or not, there’s a theory that coprophagia may even be encoded in a dog’s DNA, explained by veterinarian, Dr. Benjamin Hart, in The Paradox of Canine Conspecific Coprophagy:
- Ancient ancestors of our beloved Fido developed poop-eating as a way to protect their pack from intestinal parasites; this would likely have been most common in the den area, where pack members sheltered and slept.
- Another theory is that since wild canines are scavengers, eating feces may have evolved as a habit during starvation periods.
- In addition to helping avoid starvation, animals can get additional nutrition from feces. Many species, like rabbits, have adopted this habit to absorb nutrients their bodies failed to take in the first time. However, while this is necessary for rabbits, dogs don’t need this form of nutrition.
Common Causes of Poop-Eating
Of course, genetics and evolution can’t always explain why your Golden Retriever is eating poop. There can also be something more at play.
Physical Issues
First of all, it’s essential to rule out any health-related issues for your poop-eating dog. Consult your favorite veterinarian and ask them to check for things like:
- Parasites or harmful bacteria
- Diseases such as diabetes, inflamed bowel, anemia, pancreatic issues
- Malnutrition or absorption issues
- Medication side effects
Behavioral Issues
Once you have ruled out all the medical issues, the next thing you want to look at is the psychological ones. Your dog may be stressed out over something you cannot see. Eating feces could be your dog’s way of coping with the world around him.
They’re Bored
Lonely dogs tend to eat poop more often than those whose lives are filled with social interaction. Since dogs are pack animals, spending much of their day in a kennel or basement and away from their people could cause extra stress.
It’s also not unusual to see dogs from overcrowded shelters pick up this habit due to the small confinement space they were once used to.
They’re Trying to Get Your Attention
Some dogs may feel like they are starved for attention (even if they’re actually not). Eating poop is an excellent way to get attention from their human, even if that attention is negative.
Pro tip: In cases like this, don’t react. It’s best to reinforce positive attention-seeking behaviors rather than negative ones.
They’re Afraid of Punishment
Some dogs who experience harsh punishment for using the bathroom where they aren’t supposed to will turn to eating their own feces to get rid of the evidence. Unfortunately, in these situations, poop-eating leads to even more significant consequences, and a vicious cycle begins.
They Have Anxiety
Another issue could be that your Golden Retriever has anxiety, either in the form of separation anxiety or general anxiety. These types of deeper emotional issues can be treated with medication, so check with your vet!
They Live with a Sick Pack Mate
In his study, Dr. Hart also talks about dogs’ desire to keep their den areas clean and safe. If one of your other pets is sick with incontinence, the healthy dogs may eat its feces as a survival instinct. The idea is that they feel this helps protect the pack from parasites and also predators who could smell the poop.
They Learned it From Their Mother
If a puppy catches a whiff of poop-breath too often from their mother, they may develop “appetitive inoculation,” according to dog behaviorist, Steven Lindsay. This is a fancy way of saying the puppy will associate the smell of poo with good things (like their moms!).
Their Eating Area is Not Clean
Generally, the rule is not to poop where you eat, right? This same thing goes for dogs. If they are fed too close to where they just went to the bathroom, the odors may become associated with each other. Thus, it’s essential to keep a good distance between your dog’s dinner and his “after-dinner activity.”
Is it Okay for My Golden Retriever to Eat Poop?
In theory, puppies eating their own or other dogs’ feces shouldn’t hurt them. Eventually, they will grow out of their poop-eating phase around nine months old. However, even if this may be okay for puppies, it is definitely not something you want to encourage as a life-long habit. For one, it is disgusting. But even more than that, it could lead to long-term health issues, which all dog owners want to avoid!
Some dogs find cat, horse, or goose excrement particularly appealing. However, contrary to eating their own feces, eating feces of another animal can pose significant health risks. The different types of parasites and viruses that can live in cats’ or other animals’ gut are not always benign to your pup.
How to Stop Your Golden Retriever from Eating Poop
Fortunately for Golden Retriever owners everywhere, there are many solutions to stop this disgusting canine habit.
Make sure to always check with your vet first if you are concerned about a health issue. If you have determined that your Golden Retriever has a physical or psychological condition, make sure to get that treated first! You can then move on to the other treatments below, but make sure to consult your veterinarian to confirm medication interactions.
If you decide this habit is behavioral, look into training guides such as Steven Lindsay’s Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training.
The following are some other tips you can try to prevent your dog from eating poop:
Food Additions
If your Golden Retriever is eating his own poop due to malnutrition, such as vitamin deficiency, you can add vet-approved vitamin supplements. This is especially true if he lacks thiamin (a B-vitamin) which is commonly synthesized by feces microbes. Other nutrients could be lacking as well—if you believe this is the case, your vet can perform a GI panel for specifics.
On the other hand, your Golden Retriever may have a hard time digesting meat due to a carb-heavy diet. Dogs are primarily meat-eaters, so if they do not get enough of that in their daily lives, they may lose the ability to digest meat effectively. Your vet can prescribe an enzyme supplement to help your dog absorb more of the good stuff from his dinner.
Taste Aversion Food and Treats
You could also make Fido’s poop unappetizing to discourage them from eating it. Try to feed your dog (or all the dogs in a multi-dog household) something that will make their poop taste bad. Meat tenderizer seems to be a popular choice, though check the ingredients to ensure they’re safe for your pup!
You can also buy taste-aversion treats like NaturVet Coprophagia Deterrent, which includes ingredients such as MSG, garlic, and pepper-plant derivatives.
However, if you find that doesn’t work—some owners say it’s hit-or-miss—the other option is to sprinkle hot sauce (like habanero pepper sauce) on the poop. This won’t hurt the dog, but it is uncomfortable to eat. After a bite or two, hopefully, they’ll decide that poop’s not that good after all!
Environmental Changes
It’s also essential to control the environment your dog lives in. This will help them develop healthy habits and steer clear of poop eating! Here are a few tips for redirecting your Golden Retriever’s attention toward good things:
- Clean: Keep the dog’s space and yard clean of feces, including placing the kitty’s litterbox out of reach.
- Train: Practice training commands like “Leave it” during your supervised walks or potty breaks.
- Redirect: Use treats to distract your dog right after she eliminates. This way, she associates something tastier than poop with going to the bathroom!
Conclusion
If you have a poop-eating dog, there’s no need to feel bad. It happens to the best of us! Fortunately, there are ways to help change their behavior to make them (and you) happier and healthier! If you follow these tips, you should see a significant improvement in your Golden Retriever’s poop-eating habits.
And remember, if you have any health concerns, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian or pet behaviorist to make sure your dog is living her best life!