Eating rabbit droppings

[Makeda Kali]

There are a lot of bunnies in our neighborhood. Makeda goes crazy 'hunting' for them on our walks. Routinely on the walks and constantly at our dog park, she will sniff though the grass and eat the droppings. I try to discourage her when I can (if she's on the leash), but it's hard at the park. I will till her 'NO' and shoosh her away, but as soon as I turn my back or walk away, she's back at it. Anyone else run into this? Is it harmful? How do I stop the behavior?

[Shaye's Mom]

You aren't alone - one my two also does this - I have to keep a constant watch to pull her away from them! I don't know if it's harmful, but it's definitely disgusting! Since it's an animal's waste, I can't believe it would be good for them - who knows what is in it and whether the rabbits are carrying something…

[tanza]

@Shaye's:

You aren't alone - one my two also does this - I have to keep a constant watch to pull her away from them! I don't know if it's harmful, but it's definitely disgusting! Since it's an animal's waste, I can't believe it would be good for them - who knows what is in it and whether the rabbits are carrying something…

My thoughts too, think about things like worms (tape especially), fleas, etc…

[AJs Human]

Dogs will be dogs, no matter how wonderful the breeding. Try to discourage it, but know they will do it anyway.

Rabbit droppings in and of themselves shouldn't be harmful: it's only predigested grass. However, parasites would be the main risk. Watch the dogs for signs of parasitic infestation. Worms would be the biggest concern.

Try to think of items that may be missing from your dog's diet and add it in. Perhaps some sort of vegetable…like green beans or carrots might help. At least that way it wouldn't be a craving based on a deficiency.

[saba]

My guys have an absolute smorgasboard of 'dietry aids' at their disposal EVERY night of the year :):)… Possum, wallaby, rabbit, kangaroo, feral cat, tassie devil... The list is endless, and it just depends on the time of the year, really...

Im sure it helps their nice shiny coats, though :p

[wizard]

Gossy does this all the time - only its the rabbit droppings in my yard she goes for. They seem to congregate under certain bushes and I periodically have to go out and scoop up their piles as well as Gossy's. Let me tell you it's not easy picking up after rabbits

I used to think there was something missing in her diet but I've talked with her breeder and the vet and there are no signs of anything missing. She just likes to eat rabbit droppings (along with tissue paper and printer paper with fresh ink on it and plastic and …)

[Shaye's Mom]

Funny story all this reminds me of: when my oldest child, Michael, was little, we lived near a lot of woods. In the woods there were growing bushes that shed "puffballs," which were round and when you squeeze them, little puffs of powder came out of them. The kids liked to collect these and squeeze them at each other (yeah,I know). One day Michael came home with a whole pocketful of "puffballs." On closer examination, I discovered he'd come home with a whole pile of rabbit crap. Needless to say, I was glad he hadn't squeezed them all over his little sister. That story still embarrasses him even though he was only 7 or so at the time.