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Some pet owners may be distressed to see their dogs displaying coprophagia. This disturbing dog poop disposal habit is not understood by scientists, but theories abound. An unusually unhealthy sort of dog waste disposal, coprophagia involves the eating of feces. Some possible causes of this unhealthy behavior may include the following:
- The animal is seeking attention from its owner.
- The dog is feeling anxious, bored, or stressed.
- The protein in the feces is attractive to the animal.
- There's a related health issue, like pancreatitis or food allergy.
- The dog is just following its natural predisposition to scavenge.
Whatever the cause, this form of pet waste disposal is sometimes abated with meat tenderizer added to dog food, since it makes the feces taste bad to the dog. Food additives that will make feces unappetizing to dogs can also be purchased.
It's a good idea to keep up with your pet and clean your yard regularly, at least once a week. Of course, thorough pet waste disposal just makes for a more pleasant yard. It's also healthier. Left alone in the yard, canine feces can attract maggots and parasites from other animals. It can also pass parasites on to other animals. These animals will further infect the yard, and pretty soon you have a dangerous place to be for man and beast. To avoid all of this, keep your yard clear with appropriate dog waste disposal. Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms can cause all kinds of problems for their hosts, from weight loss to anemia to progressive weakness; the best approach is prevention.
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