'My dog eats cat poop out of the liter box'

Courtney (1) from The South -

I have a miniature dachsund and I can't keep her from getting in the little box and eating the kitty poo poo. It is totally nasty, then she tries of course to lick us. What can I do to stop this?

Comment #1 Jeanette from AZ -

It must be those dachsunds that do that - we have friends who have 3 miniature dachsunds and all three of them were getting into their cat's litter box. Their dogs were getting sick all the time from doing that.

Comment #2 Courtney (1) from The South -

Yeah mine is doing it, but she doesn't get sick. It is so gross just knowing she is doing that and then she licks us. Next time I get a dog I am not getting a miniature dachsund.

Comment #3 endora (24.45.126.104) -

*puke* how can you stop them from doing this? What is so tempting about eating poop? LOL yuck! What about giving them something to eat that makes the poop smell bad or something?

Comment #4 Lucy from Hickville, USA -

Can you put the litter box where the dog can't get to it, maybe like in a basement or something? I was going to say get a litter box that has a cover on it but I guess that won't work because the dog is small. Dogs do crazy things that make zero sense to us. You ever wonder what goes through their little minds when they see and eat the poop? It obviously is something that they enjoy for some reason but to us it is absolutely disgusting.

Comment #5 James (1) from Texas -

My miniature dachsund did the same thing. I asked my vet what causes this behavior he mentions that the cat food is so rich in fibers that when the cat digests its food, its stool is still rich of its foods fiber. He mentions the cat does not digest and break down all their food. With this happening it attracts the dogs to the cat stool thinking its food. I recently went to petsmart and you can get a pill that stops dogs from eating their own stool. This also works to stop them from eating the cats stool as well. Since I starting giving my little miniature dachsund that pill she has stopped from eating the cat stool. I hope that helps those that are trying to fight this disgusting habit. I will look and see the name of that pill.

Comment #6 JOHN AND IDI (70.121.156.99) -

WE HAVE 3 YORKIES AND ALL 3 OF THEM LOVE TO EAT CAT POOP. THEY KNOW IT IS BAD BECAUSE NOW THEY EAT IT WHEN THEY THINK WE ARE NOT WATCHING, AND IF WE CATCH THEM IN THE ACT THEY RUN WITH THE POOP UNDER THE BED TO FINISH EATING IT. GROOOOOSSSSSS. I HEARD FROM THE VET THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN PUT INTO THE CAT FOOD TO MAKE THE POOP TASTE BAD TO THEM. AND THAT THE REASON THEY LIKE IT IS BECAUSE IT TASTES VERY SWEET TO THEM.

Comment #7 Kristin (209.85.138.136) -

My new chihuahua loves to get in my cat`s litter box, and recently discovered she eats the cat poop on my bed! What is the name of the pill that helps them stop eating the cat`s poop...PLEASE!

Comment #8 jeanbarrynella (60.224.10.36) -

I have a 13 week old maltese x su he also eats cat poo but from the back yard i just want to know if it can harm him we have 4 cats 2 are strays which wont go away so we seem to be stuck with them .i just dont like him eating cats business

regards jean (Australia)

Comment #9 Amber (204.56.177.248) -

My Blue Heeler eats cat poop too!! Now she keeps throwing up! Help!! It is the sickest thing ever!!!

Comment #10 Rhonda (70.89.12.125) -

Ihave tried apple bitter that seems to be working. Can't to try the meat tenderizer. My puppy 5 months old when I saw him in the cat box like he was at a party now I trap the doorway he can't get it but my 1 1/2 year shih-tzu can jump the carrier that blocks the doorway but have caught lately.My suggestion is try apple bitter so far it's working. R i

Comment #11 nicole (70.114.203.251) -

My chihuahua does it took! It's so gross!

Comment #12 aisha (75.161.205.145) -

I have a Standard Poodle & unfortunately, she eats cat poo too! My vet fluxs from saying they don't know why the dogs do it to then saying they believe it is because of the nutrients. Blah, blah, blah. My dog has also been to a behaviouralist - no dice.

I've sorta learned to live with it. When I've lived places where I was able to put the litter box in a closet & keep the door open just enough for the cats. I haven't been in that situation for a while now. My last remaining cat is 16 years old & I simply cannot put it up & make her jump anywhere for it.

So, I deal with the nasty litter on the dogs nose as she comes to kiss me & the poop residuals that end up on the floor. I suppose there is an upside - I only have to scoop the pee - it's the worst, actually - so why won't dogs just eat all of it then!

I'M KIDDING, of course. Gotta always keep it light.

Enjoy your pets while you have them... aisha

Comment #13 Mark (216.65.158.253) -

Consider yourselves blessed. My dog, Chewbacca (VERY appropriate name for a 3/4 Beagle, 1/4 Jack Russell) decided to stop eating cat poo, and start pulling it out of the pan, taking it to the DEAD CENTER of our white living room carpet, and start ROLLING on it. Help me!

Comment #14 paul (72.177.3.89) -

Man, I had no idea dogs ventured in that experimental cuisine! We have had our chow chow/german shepherd mix for 7 years, since he was a pup. He has always been an odd ball. We have a lab that is, well, a LAB. We moved to a new house 2 weeks ago and the cat litter is now in a more accesible spot. I've caught the chow munchin away, and I couldn't believe what I saw. He knows he was doing the wrong thing by the way I reacted, but he keeps doing it. We left the house for a few hours and when we came back the cat litter had been host to a rowdy party. YUCK!! There was cat litter everywhere, and no poop for me to scoop up. This is sooooo utterly disgusting.

So what is the name of these pills????

Thanks.

Comment #15 Jazzy Fresh from Cally iz active -

try putting the litter box in the bathroom and the dog outside

Comment #16 Amber Rizzo, AL (207.203.41.250) -

I have two 2year old terrier mix dogs and they are adorable. I just adopted a kitten (2 months old) from the Humane Society, he is adorable also. One of my dogs is eating the kittens poop and it is making him throw up sometimes after, her breath is terrible and I just want her to stop, because I am afraid it will make her sick. What do I do??

-Amber Rizzo

Comment #17 Barbara (24.4.192.79) -

I have two dachsunds and one eats poo and the other doesn't. I had to put the litter box in the bathtub with the cat's food. Won't the litter harm the dog?

Comment #18 Remae (205.188.116.206) -

I am really glad this subject is here. We adopted a dashund she is 2 and she eats cat poop out of the litter box, I am so glad to see it is not just her.

Comment #19 cathy from Los Angeles -

I have a 5 month old chihuahua Terrier Mix, she's a sure Handfull. New thing to do is use the kitty box as a Snack Tray of Almond Rocca! Sooooooo Grooooos!!! Did anyone ever get the name of the pills that might stop her? I don't think I'll ever eat Almond Rocca Again! haha Help!!

Comment #20 TammyC (74.225.165.197) -

My pitbull eats the cats poo from the litter box.. and he always has litter all over his snout.. i work at petco and i know we sell those pills.. but i kinda thought they were a joke.. well im not laughing anymore im going to buy those pills.

Comment #21 Stefani (206.174.33.203) -

Sooooooo, do we know the name of the pills and do they work for dogs who eat cat poo? I have a toy poodle who occasionally grazes in the cats litter box. It is SO repulsive. For a poodle, that is totally unrefined!

Comment #22 Ashley (66.56.254.110) -

My golden/lab mix eats cat poop out of the litter box. It's so gross. I'm going to go try and buy that pill. She has a shock collar because she runs off if she see's another dog outside so we just give her a shock if she goes near the litter box. She still attempts it at least once every day. It's nasty!

Comment #23 katy (75.9.215.40) -

My terrior mix keeps on eating the poo, in my cat's litter box...on a rugular basis! How can I stop this?

Comment #24 katy (75.9.215.40) -

My terrior mix keeps on eating the poo, in my cat's litter box...on a rugular basis! How can I stop this?

Comment #25 Cyndi S. (66.56.200.193) -

Both our Lab and Labradoodle do this. The Doodle always gets caught because he has a beard! I don't understand this behavior; our dogs are fed twice a day and get nightly treats. It grosses us totally out. We have the litter boxes on the screened in porch with a cat door connecting to the den, which is downstairs. All we have to do is leave the door to the downstairs open even one minute and they are down there. They have been punished and know it is not acceptable but they do it anyway, like it is a treat. YUK!

They don't eat each others poop; what is it about the cats'?

Comment #26 John (71.226.201.232) -

Dogs eat poop because of a vitamin deficiency, they eat their own if it's a certain vitamin shortage and they will eat other pets (cats & ferrets) stool if it's another vitamin, I'm not sure what vitamins though. But what you need to do is buy those vitamin enriched snack pack things. They are little treats that have all the important vitamins K-9's need, and give them daily dog vitamins. After a week or so of feeding these treats to your dogs they will stop eating cats stool.

Last year my dog was eating his, my ferrets, my cats and my babies stool out of diapers that he would tear out of the trash can. I started giving him those treats and regular dog vitamins (available at any pet store) and he stopped doing it.

PS. the more stool they eat the worse the vitamin deficiency is, when really bad they eat it whenever possible, they will also eat their throw up too. All this will come to a stop with Doggy vitamins and those Vita snacks.

Comment #27 Mahliah (58.6.20.184) -

I have a 7 year old zu x Lassa Apso who is delighting in eating our new kitts poo poo! Not only does it totally grosse me out and it stinks, but the cat litter sticks to the inside of the dogs lips and mouth (it is water absorbant type) and I have to pry it off, along with the new poo!!!! Im sure that while eating poo is apparently normal behaviour, how can I be sure the litter is not damaging? The first time he did it it looked like all his teeth had fallen out and stuck to his lips. We have moved the litter box, that has a lid with carbon filter (supposedly to stop the smell - not!) to a corner so that there is just enough room for the kitten to get in but not the dog. The dog now moves the litter - last resort was to decide that unless we could supervise him we had to leave him out. there must be some form of repellant? also i was told that territorial dogs will do that to get rid of the evidence of a new animal, so that they remain the dominant scent.. is that true?

Comment #28 Molly (76.251.150.206) -

Dogs like eating cat poo just like they like eating cat food. But here is some info that might be helpful:

Eating poo is a sign that she is not getting adequate nourishment. You can do a few things:

(1) make sure you are giving her/him "good" food--i.e. eukaneuba, Nutro, Natures Diet, Science Diet, etc. The other dog food is cheaper--i.e. Ol Roy, Purina, etc--but you wind up spending more money in the end because those foods are made w/ grains. Dogs cannot digest grains well.. do most of the food winds up going straight through them, whereby leaving their system depleted of nourishment they need.

(2) Which ever brand you choose... make sure it's puppy food if you have a puppy. They need the extra calories and nutrients that are in puppy food to grow healthy and strong.

(3) Go the the pet store. Look in the medicine isle. They have pills (last I checked they are red and in a box) that say "stop your dog from eating poop." If you cant find it, ask someone. It's a common problem, so don't be embarrassed. This pill makes their poop not taste delicious;) It is actually a fire pill and sprinkling Tabasco on her poo will have the same effect, but people are afraid of doing that for obvious reasons.

(4) If all this doesn't work, try supplementing her/him w/ Glucosimine (1500mg) and Condrotin (1200mg) vitamins. They come in a combo pill at wal-mart--with the people's vitamins. Dogs usually eat them and think they are yummy... you can even use it as a treat. It is a joint supplement, which is usually used in older dogs w/ arthritis, but can also be helpful is growing puppies--especially since it's cold outside. They get achy joints just like us.

Hope this is helpful!!!

Comment #29 Vanessa (68.192.242.78) -

I have a 6 month old chuweenie (chihuahua and daschund). I just moved into a house that has two cats. The litter box is in the basement where we stay and I have caught my dog numerous times eating cat poo. Its disgusting and I have punished her for it every time. She knows its wrong but she still does it. The punishment has been getting worse everytime I catch her because Im scared she is going to get sick with parasites but Im glad I finally looked it up because it seems to be a common problem.

I knew that they would eat their own poop if they were lacking in nutrients, which she never does, but I didnt know eating the cat's poo could mean the same thing. Im sure it taste good to her too because dogs are just gross like that but Im going to go to the pet store and buy her puppy vitamins and see if it stops. Im also going to buy bitter apple so she wont even go near the litter box.

Does anyone know if she could get parasites or if she might get really sick from it? It hasnt seemed to bother her yet, she just chokes and gags alot after she eats the litter.

Comment #30 Donna (195.93.21.67) -

HI,

I have a lovely collie dog who also loves to eat our cats poo...we have 5 cats and obviously quite a lot of stools. It is a disgusting habit and regardless of what has been said about lack of vitamins i know my dog does it because she loves the taste, she is always sniffing and trying to lick my cats bottoms too, infact anything that smells gross she is there.

Alongside this gross habit she is also a constant licker, she loves to lick and kiss that much that if she cannot get to you she will lick the air around you...i am at my witts end now with this problem as i have a 3 year old son and another baby due in 3 weeks...i am almost certain there is no way to stop it.

To answer the question about parasites...yes worms and things in a cats stoll can be passed on to the dog through their mouths so it is probably an idea to worm your dogs more then usual.

It would be nice if someone knew of a miracle cure???

Comment #31 Sandy from Lake View -

I think all dogs eat cat poop. We had aGolden that did it sowe got a covered little box. After he died we brought home a sheltie/cocker mix (who is beautiful by the way) andshedoes it too. Now we baricade the litter box so only the cat can reach it and the dog can't.

Comment #32 Tammy from North Carolina -

My dog Dacey is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He also loves to get into the litter box and eat the cat poop. The only way I could keep Dacey out of the litter box, was to put the litter box in the spare bedroom and gate that room off so the dog could not get in. I feed the cat in the room also and she simply jumps the gate.

Comment #33 Ashley (169.244.70.147) -

You should keep the litter box up high and then dont let her lick you face or you could get worms like my EX-FRIEND

Comment #34 Niki (75.83.57.212) -

When my cat is out, it obviously does not have to use the litter box, so I close the bathroom door, and only open it when my dog is aound me so I can watch him. I just clean the litter box very frequently and when I go to work, I keep my dog in a closed room so he cant get to the litter box.

Comment #35 tess (71.115.219.27) -

My one year old beagle likes to eat my cats poop! Yes, he would stop when caught but would return to the litter when no one is looking. I feed him 3x a day and give lots of treat. My concern is my 3 year old daughter. I am afraid she might get sick because the dog likes to kiss. We clean the litter box all the time but he just keeps coming back looking for some more poop to eat. Yakkkkkk!!!

Comment #36 Joshua Landry (64.1.70.252) -

Cats can climb and dogs can not. You can put the litter box up high where your dog can not reach it.

• Pug Dog

Comment #37 Mic (67.72.98.107) -

It just kills me that every post on here is stating the same thiong that our dogs are eating poop. How helpful is this blog if not one can state how to fix this problem? No one cares if your dog is doing it also...what have you done to fix it??

Comment #38 Ben from Bristol -

I think you will all enjoy this film about me:

• www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZR17rlXNWw&feature=related

Comment #39 Melissa (69.208.67.208) -

We have three puppies and all three eat out of the liler box several times a day. We are trying chili powder. We sprinkle it on the cats poop several times a day. So far so good. And keeping the liter box in the bathroom so when we are gone for long peroids of time we lock the cat in the bathroom with its food so the puppies stay out of the liter box while we are gone.

Comment #40 Sam (69.151.250.102) -

My 6 month old black lab was eating from the litter box too. Well, the litter box is in the bathroom, and I've trained her never to go into the bathroom at all. That helps, but she would still try to sneak in sometimes. She is very frightened of the vacuum cleaner, so I leave the vacuum next to the litter box now. She doesn't go near it!

Comment #41 Gracie (68.3.129.210) -

I just caught my 13 week English Bulldog eating cat poo... EWW! Well oddly enough I fished an aspirin out of her mouth last week and called the vet freaking out. He said to make her drink hydrogen peroxide, it will make her vomit. The vet said puppies/dogs will not naturally want to drink peroxide, so you kinda have to force them. Anyways, I pried her mouth open and poured some peroxide in her mouth and sure enough, within a few minutes bubbles were coming out of her mouth and she was vomiting soon after that. After vomiting a few times, she seemed to feel better and I could visibly see the poo chunks still in the vomit. I am hoping this maybe taught her a lesson, and she will not want to eat poo again. Since I am not a vet, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this on a regular basis or without discussing it with your vet first... but my vet said it was the best way to make them throw up. Thanks for the info, I'm glad to know it is a common problem but on the other hand... ugh.. sounds like it will continue.

Comment #42 jessica (209.183.55.4) - Fri May 16 02:21:47 2008

Im the proud owner of a very smart, very obedient Borer Collie. I

Prior to adopting 'Kenzi', I adopted two cats that are a little strange and very protective of us. My dog heards my cats into our bathroom- much to their dismay, and while he is there he decides to order from the kitty box take-out menu. It took me until tonight to realize that was what he was always up there for. I did my routine cleaning and noticed that the cat box was perfectly clean. I asked my husband if he had cleaned it before I got to it, and he hadn't. So, wonderful little Kenzi has been snacking away on wonderful kitty patties. I noticed that the clumps of urine were also gone.

HERE IS MY WARNING!!!! After a little typing and some reading, vet websites suggest against clumping litter while your dog has this little habbit. It clumps in their belly and will make them sick. Non clump gritty litter will pass through their system, though isn't the most healthy for them. It can cause constipation and vomitting. Which is also not all that healthy for your dog. I would suggest the feline pine litter. That is an all natural litter and I'm betting won't be as harmful to them.

PLAN B: the turbo litter box invention:

I saw a style of litter box at pet co that I loved. The basic design was as if someone took a rubbermaid tote and cut a hole in the top. This causes the cats to crawl into it from above, and climb out when they have finished. That way litter doesn't get tracked all over the floor. My cats are a little on the hefty side and wouldn't fit comfortably into this particular box, so I took a larger rubbermaid container and made one. This could make it impossable for small dogs to eat in the litter. My dog however has perfect access this way, so I took another container, and flipped it upsidedown and attached velcro strips, (making a 2nd floor) and I cut an opening on the opposite end as the first opening. Kenzi is too big to fit into the box, its just big enough for his head, so he can't reach down to the litter. PLUS even less litter can be tracked onto my floor. My dog is smart, but when I put my mind to it, I usually can outsmart him.

Comment #43 Beth from Ohio - Fri May 16 13:28:08 2008

I have a Siberian Huskey that likes to visit the cat's litter box. I use the Petsafe indoor invisible fence system. It works great. Not only does it work at home, but I can unplug it and take it with me if I travel with the dog. If I visit relatives it is easy to use to keep the dog out of areas where they prefer her not to visit, including their cat litter boxes. My dog is a escape artist and we use the outdoor system as well. The same collar works inside and out.

Comment #44 Janelle from Ohio (64.12.116.206) - Thu Jun 19 07:33:49 2008

I have two cats that my husband had when we got married. I have two dogs. It doesn't matter how big or small the dogs are. They like cat poop. My chow gets his head stuck in the door of the liter box. Neither one of my dogs are kissers, but the evidence is always on their noses. My other dog weighs about 85 lbs. Nothing seems to stop them. I heard it's because cat food is more rich. So what goes in has to come out. I do have to keep the cat food up or that would be gone and I would have to roll them every where I took them.

Any more ideas?

Comment #45 Janelle from life and times of animal life - Thu Jun 19 07:57:34 2008

I will find something or somehow to keep the dogs out of liter boxes without hurting any animals.

I do not give up easy!!!

Comment #46 Brandon (64.1.70.225) - Thu Jun 19 10:26:22 2008

Try putting the litter box up high where the dogs can not reach it, but the cats can jump up a bit to use it.

• Boxer Information

Comment #47 taylor miller (70.252.92.108) - Sat Jun 21 15:04:07 2008

!!!!!!!despret for help on my nine month old yorkie he loves to scratch on the litter and bring poop in the living room rug eww

and eat in front of us there got to be way to get rid of this

promblem with cat poop i adopted kittens from petsmart and now there going to be a year in august and my yorkie name is carson he is a boy email me back please im despert.

Comment #48 Amber (71.219.136.31) - Sat Jun 28 05:55:08 2008

hi the name of the pill that causes the poop to be nasty so they don't eat it is call for-Bid.. you can get it from you vet. you can even order is online. Its a powder that you put on the cats food and then the dog won't eat it. Or put it in the dogs food and he don't eat it.

There ya go!

-Amber

Comment #49 Mary Sorgente (64.61.174.10) - Tue Jul 1 12:30:46 2008

Seems as if many of us have dogs with strange taste buds! The advice I have is only for the dog who eats it's own poo! Feed the dog a few pieces of pineapple (chunk pieces) after each meal is finished. The pineapple gives the dog poo an unpleasant taste and your dog will avoid Re-eating his meal in poo form! Anything that does not harm the pets is worth a try!

Please check with your vet to see if cats can eat pineaple as that would cover the poo on both sides!

Comment #50 stacey (86.154.163.147) - Fri Jul 4 07:34:58 2008

my staffie has started to eat the cats poo and now the cat has started to poo everywhere exept in her litter tray. any advice

Comment #51 Christyna (98.27.219.141) - Tue Jul 8 22:29:38 2008

my mix breed dog ears cat poop and we have put it in the closet, well even tho we block the door way he still gets in.

we tried putting a cover over it but it dont work cause he can still get to it.(by the way, he chews through baby gates). what else can i do?

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