Why Does My Dog Eat My Cat's Poop?
You already know your dog likes to eat his own poop (gross! ), but you werent expecting him to start scarfing down your cats poop, too. Its hard to wrap your head around exactly why your pup would want to eat something so smelly and covered in litter. So The Dodo spoke with Dr. Cristina Bustamante, an associate veterinarian with Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Florida and founder of Dr. B Vet, to find out why cat poop seems to be one of your dogs favorite snacks. It is presumed that dogs eat cat poop because they are attracted to the smell of [a cats] feces, which smells like cat food, Dr. Bustamante told The Dodo. Its nasty, but your dog is no stranger to eating gross crap. And this nasty behavior isnt necessarily a sign that somethings wrong with him. Families often call veterinarians worried about their pets wellbeing and bizarre behavior, when it is actually very common, Dr. Bustamante explained. Heres what it all really boils down to: Your dog is curious and wants to taste that interesting thing he sniffed, which turns out to be a tiny turd in your cats litter box. Health risks of eating cat poop  It feels like something that shouldnt need to be said, but your dog shouldnt eat cat poop. Sure, your dog might eat cat poop and be completely fine, but thats not always going to be the case. Health risks associated are mostly parasites and upset stomach, Dr. Bustamante said. There are additional risks if they also eat the cat litter.  Your dog might have parasites if hes showing signs like:  Diarrhea  Scooting his butt on the ground  Vomiting  Distended belly  Weight loss  Vomiting  Diarrhea (followed by a period of constipation)  Uninterested in food  Not eating    How to stop dogs from eating cat poop  If your dog scarfs down some litter as well, he runs the risk of gastrointestinal upset or even blockage (if your cat uses a clumping litter). Signs of a gastrointestinal blockage include:Make sure you give your vet a call if you notice any of the above signs.The best way to keep your dog from eating your cats poop is to keep the poop out of your dog's reach, Dr. Bustamante explained. This might mean investing in a dog-proof or covered litter box, so your pup cant just stick his face in and chow down.