Skip to content

Poop eating

Behavioral Issues
  • Hi. I have five year old male basenji. All of sudden he stated eating his own poop. I try to clean the yard as often as I can but the minute I let him out he goes searching.

    1. What could be the reason?
    2. What r the risks?
    3. How to stop this behaviour ?

    Thanks in advance

  • Our Binti east poop also (although not her own).
    I have done a lot of research on the net, and talking to people.
    The problem can be:

    • food (minerals)
    • mental issue
    • emotional issue
    • behavioural issue (e.g. getting attention by eating poop)
      You need to address all issues individually to find out what the deal is (not easy).
      A therapist told me that in The Netherlands, dogs in training to be guide dogs, and who eat poop, are disqualified (and these organizations employ the BEST trainers).
  • Forgot to mention that a potassium deficit might be involved.
    You can check by feeding banana or cucumber, both high on potassium.
    Cucumber is better, because less sugar and calories.
    Binti loves it.

Suggested Topics

  • Freaking out at her own poop!

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    chenkeC
    Teki would act like that when her anal glands were bothering her or something like a hair’s stuck also
  • Pooping in the wrong place

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    4k Views
    D
    Our Lacey, will not even poop in the yard. She prefers to go to the wooded area in our backyard or a ditch in the front. When we were visiting relatives on a farm for a week she would walk out into the cornfield to poop. In fact she was visibly disturbed when the other dogs would poop in the yard. She would look at them as if she was thinking, "But why are you pooping in the playground?". Even if we picked it up she would avoid running over the spots while playing.
  • Pumpkin and the bunny poop

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    4k Views
    eeeefarmE
    My Basenjis would head right for the horse poop and the only question was whether it would be eating or rolling in it. Usually eating......they preferred to roll in more disgusting things. My niece's GSD was attracted to goose poop. Hard to do a tracking test across a field where geese had been. It can be very difficult or impossible to keep a loose dog out of poop. As Debra says, perhaps you can hose it away. Good luck! (BTW, this is one of the reasons.....and there are many.....why flex leads are not a good idea. Most owners have no idea what their dogs may be consuming at the end of a long lead.)
  • Poop problem

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    S
    My 2 dogs don't use our backyard unless its an emergency. We walk them to "do" their business away from their yard…
  • Bailey is eating with the pack

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    Rita JeanR
    Way to go Vicki and Bailey I am very happy for both of you. Bailey your super and love the way she loves and cares so much about you. Give all the dogs special hug and kiss for all of us. Rita Jean
  • Eating Poop

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    9k Views
    luzmery928L
    Me too Funny.