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Kids (and adults too) know that Popeye the Sailor Man eats spinach to recharge his legendary human strength. The dogs’ disgusting tendency to eat their own and other animals feces is one of the bad habits that concerns most pet owners. Is feces to dogs the same as spinach to Popeye the Sailor Man?

Whatever reasons dogs have for eating poop, it is certainly not because for lack of food. Dogs are well loved pets and dog owners would not think twice to pay for pricey dog food as long as the health of the pet is ensured. Pet dogs are one of the most well fed animals. Dog owners know that allowing the pet to eat before they do is one of the reasons why dogs develop dominance problems but because the pet is loved, this fact is often ignored. Dogs therefore do not eat feces because they are hungry.

The tendency to eat feces is believed to be a trait that was handed down to modern day dogs by their ancestors that live in the wild. The feces eating habit is associated with the dog’s self protection instinct. Like any other animal in the wild, dogs too would hide their presence from predators. The distinct and far reaching smell of feces is not unlike a red flag that announces the dog’s whereabouts. To avoid predators, dogs simply have to eat the feces. Modern day dogs are secured from the attacks of predators as most are kept secure inside the home. The self preservation instinct though is deeply ingrained so that dogs would still eat feces from time to time.

It seems that dogs are skilled in knowing the abnormalities in their system. For instance, a dog will just eat grass if toxic substances are ingested and presto! the substance not accepted by the stomach will be ejected. Poor quality commercial dog food that mainly contains cereal fillers does not provide the nutrients needed by the dog so that eating feces or coprophagia is attributed to the dog’s attempt to fill up a nutrient deficiency.

Dog owners are aware that their pets are social animals thus they would set aside some time to bond with the pet. Some dog owners though may not be aware of this need and others simply do not have the time. Dogs that are left at home all day would either be destructive or would do something to gain the attention of the family. A dog that eats poop will be reprimanded by the owner but to a dog’s eyes being scolded would be better than being ignored.

Find out more about why dogs eat feces and first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.

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