How To Stop My Dog From Eating Cat Poop

8 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Eating Cat Poop Once and for All — A1 Savannahs

Has everything you’ve done failed to keep your dogs away from your cat’s litter box? Have you tried everything you can think of? You have arrived at the correct location. When you have both dogs and cats in the house at the same time, your dogs seem to like playing with cat excrement for some reason. It is repulsive and detrimental to your dog’s well-being. According to science, dogs consume cat feces because the high protein level in the feces attracts them. In addition, it shows that the dog’s body may be lacking in adequate nutrition, which might be the source of his annoying behavior.

Continue reading to learn all of the tactics and strategies for training your dog to keep away from cat feces and urine.

1. Teach Your Dog the‘Leave It’Command

If your dog is constantly violating your cat’s personal space, it is essential to teach them the command “Leave it.” This is how you will instruct them on how to use this command – Make a point of being really thorough in this. When you observe your dog wondering about the cat’s potty, you’ll know exactly what they’re getting up to! “Leave it!” you should say to your dog in a forceful voice. If they pay attention to you, reward them with a goodie. If they continue to resist, repeat the command again, but louder.

Because your dog is unfamiliar with the command, it is possible that it will not work the first few times.

Just keep saying it over and over.

2. Keep Your Dog Busy

Out of pure curiosity, your canines may find themselves lured to your cat’s private business. When they have nothing to do, they prefer to eat and play with cat feces instead of food. You must keep your dogs occupied with other, more nutritious activities in order to avoid this problem. Playing with toys and games will keep kids occupied. Provide them with activities so that they will not become bored and begin seeking for strange things to do.

3. Use Fences to Keep Them Away

The installation of indoor fences outside the room where cats defecate can prevent the dogs from entering that place. A variety of indoor fences are available for purchase on the internet. Find the one that is the correct size, height, and temperament for your dog. It is important to check the spacing between the bars before purchasing them to ensure that it is broad enough for cats to get through but not small enough for dogs to pass through. If you want to do the opposite, you may put a little door in the bathroom door so that your cats can use the bathroom but not your dogs.

4. Clean the Litter Box ASAP

One effective method of keeping dogs from consuming cat feces is to clean the litter box as soon as possible after the cat has completed its business. Because a clean litter box will deter dogs from approaching it and consuming the waste, keep your litter box clean.

The unpleasant poopy scent will not be diffused around the home if you follow these instructions. If cleaning every time is impossible, self-cleaning cat litter boxes may be purchased that automatically clean and refill the potty on their own.

5. Get Dog Proof Litter Boxes

Cat litter boxes with lids are now widely available on the market, which is a welcome development. It is impossible for the poopy scent to permeate the house because of the enclosing characteristic of the litter boxes. More significantly, these dog-proof litter boxes keep dogs from getting into the litter box, allowing your cat to have the solitude he or she requires. They may include built-in self-cleaning and odor-prevention technologies to make cleaning easier. Because some of them are made of see-through layers, your cat will not feel claustrophobic or confined within the box.

6. Buy Stool Deterrents

An further method of preventing your dogs from ingesting cat feces is to provide them with stool deterrents. They are specifically designed for dogs that are unable to quit eating cat excrement, other dog’s poop, or their own feces for any reason. If your dog has gotten feces in its mouth, you don’t want to kiss him after that. Because some of the products offer ‘fresh breath’ aspects that help to refresh their mouths, investing in stool deterrents will be helpful for both you and your dog. Stool deterrents made for cats, on the other hand, might make their feces unappealing to dogs, causing them to avoid eating them.

7. Add Black Pepper or Hot Sauce in the Litter Box

When making cat litter, you may add some black pepper or spicy sauce to the mixture to keep your dogs away from it. Dogs would absolutely despise it! The fragrance of chili sauce and pepper will keep your dogs away from the cat feces whenever they come into contact with it. This is a certain technique to make cat feces unappealing to dogs, and it works every time.

8. Give Your Dogs Proper Nutrition

Because of the nutritional content that cat feces provides, your canines are most likely showing an interest in it. The reason for this is that your dogs’ present diet does not provide them with adequate nourishment to be healthy. If this is the case, it is necessary to switch the dog’s diet. Examine the contents listed on the back of the packages and identify which components are most important to your dogs’ health. This is something that your veterinarian can assist you with. Ensure that you correctly portion their meals every day after altering their dog food.

Final Thoughts

Having pets is a great deal of joy. They each have their own personalities and temperaments, and they ensure that your life is constantly fascinating and interesting. In fact, have you ever considered that you would be interested in learning how to keep your dogs from eating cat feces in the future? No, that’s correct! But here you are, doing everything you can to learn everything you can about your beloved canine family. Furthermore, the suggestions provided here are not even close to being as difficult.

In fact, they’re rather entertaining! As a result, well wishes are extended. Shawn is a content writer for the FeedFond website. Bio: A loving father to not just his two children, but also to his two Golden Retrievers, he is devoted to his family.

Click on the pictures or the hyperlink to see some of the products we recommend.

Until the next time we talk about cats

-Martin

Dogs have been known to consume feces (coprophagia) from a variety of animals since it tastes nice to them and is high in protein. This food also has nutritional value due to the fact that cats and other creatures do not always completely digest their meals. While eating cat excrement, your dog may be exposed to parasites, therefore it’s best to attempt to train him to avoid doing so in the first place. Mama dogs that are caring for a litter of puppies benefit from the practice since it helps them keep their home clean.

The majority of dogs will outgrow this tendency, however certain behaviors are difficult to break.
We’ll start with strategies for dealing with Fido’s excrement obsession and keeping him away from the litter box.
Make sure your cat’s litter box is as clean as it possibly can be.
Scoop once a day, change the litter once a week, and clean the cat box on a regular basis.
When it comes to reducing litter box odors, crystal litter is superior to clay or ordinary litter (it is five times more effective), and it dries waste rapidly, giving you a bit more time to clean.
If it’s difficult to keep up with your cat’s droppings, consider purchasing a PetSafe® ScoopFree® Self-Cleaning Litter Box.
Install litter boxes on a table (not necessarily the dining room table) or a counter where they will not be accessed by curious dogs.

The floor may be elevated a few inches above the bottom of certain pet gates, allowing the cat to slide underneath.

You may always store a litter box in a room or cupboard that has a PetSafe® Pet Door to access it from the outside.

Use a covered litter box with an entrance that is too small for the dog’s head to fit through to see if it helps.

Dogs adore the solid waste buffet afforded by litter boxes, but many will eat excrement from whatever source they can get their mouths on.

If he starts pointing at improper snacks, tell him “no!” and go away.

When he resists temptation, constantly praise him and give him a toy or a treat to show your appreciation.

Calling dogs to come and sit should be done as soon as you notice them finishing their business, whether it is their own or that of another pet’s waste.

He should rapidly learn that if he is productive and comes to you, he will receive a prize after every bowel movement and will no longer be enticed to look for cat or dog feces.

Provide your bored dogs with something more interesting to eat, such as an atoy stuffed with a nutritious food.

Every dog is unique, yet every dog has his or her own day. Make today the day he swears off litter creatures and other nasty delights for the rest of his life by taking certain precautions, exercising discipline, and providing positive reinforcement.

6 Tips to Keep Your Dog Out of the Cat’s Litter Box

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Keeping ‘Kitty Roca’ Off the Menu

In the event that you have both cats and dogs, you’ve probably waged a fight to discourage your dogs from “assisting” you in keeping the cat’s litter boxes clean – yes? Could it be that you’re still engaged in combat? Is it possible that you’ve given up? However, do not lose heart, intrepid warrior, since all hope is not gone. There are methods to win this battle — and, in the process, to reduce the stress on your cat (and, by extension, on you) as well as the gastric distress that your dog experiences.

Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?

No one has a definitive answer. It’s most likely due to the fact that it tastes similar to cat chow. And everyone who has ever had a dog is well aware that the majority of dogs would eat anything if given the opportunity!

Is Cat Poop Dangerous For Dogs?

It most surely is possible! Cat feces can induce digestive discomfort in dogs, and it can also serve as a vector for the spread of intestinal and other parasites to dogs who ingest it. Ouch and yuck, to say the least!

Watch Out For These Signs If You Suspect Your Dog May Have Eaten Cat Poop

Lack of appetite
Discomfort in the abdomen
Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of this condition. Also present are odors such as foul breath and cat litter stuck between their teeth.

6 Tips To Help You Keep Your Dog Out of the Litter Box

Place the litter box in a room that is off limits to children. For large dogs, raise the baby gate a few inches above the ground so that your cat may squirm beneath it but your dog will be forced to stare through the gate instead. If your dog is the same size as your cat, consider lowering the gate to the ground and installing a cat climbing tree on either side of the gate — this will provide your cat with an easy way to the litter box while your dog can just sit and enjoy your cat’s agility
If necessary, use a gatehook and eye or another set-up to prop open the door to your basement (or bathroom or closet) so that your cat may pass through it while keeping your dog out. (*This method will not work if your dog and cat are the same size.)
Make use of a cat door (such as theCatholeormicrochip door) to let cats in and out of your basement, bathroom, or closet. It’s possible that your dog might be small enough to pass through it as well, so try installing one with an amagnetic lock flap that would be opened by your cat’s collar. Using a properly positioned baby gate or another piece of furniture, conceal a litter box behind a sofa and prevent your dog from accessing it
Place the litter boxes high up on a laundry table or countertop where your dog will not be able to access them. Simply ensure that your cat can readily and comfortably access the litter boxes – this is especially important for elderly cats who may be suffering (often “in quiet”) from arthritis or other unpleasant ailments. Make use of any of these fantasticDIY ideas to conceal your cat’s litter box (es). It’s important to remember, however, that some cats may prefer uncovered litter boxes, and that desire will be even stronger if every time they attempt to exit the covered box, they are welcomed by your dog’s kind face. You may reduce the probability of this occurring by providing your cat with a variety of entrances and exits to select from.

You’re on a worthy mission, to be sure! The stress of having to share their litter boxes with the slobbery canine occupants of the family might lead your cats to become ill with urinary difficulties. As well as a very uncomfortable feeling you’ll get when you discover litter lodged between your dog’s teeth only after he’s kissed your face, repeated litter box raiding will almost probably cause your dog intestinal trouble.

Looking to keep your doghappy,healthy, andsafe?

Article in PDF format Article in PDF format Despite the fact that you like your dog, some of its behaviours may be less than charming. In fact, some of them are downright revolting. A dog that eats excrement is an excellent illustration of this concept. It is terrible enough if your dog consumes its own waste, but it is far worse when your dog consumes the waste of other animals. Litter box munching is an unattractive habit that is not only unappealing, but it is also harmful to one’s health.

First and foremost, get your dog’s digestive system examined by a veterinarian. A small fraction of poop-eating dogs are suffering from medical issues that cause them to behave in an unusual manner, according to experts. The reason a dog suffering from a deficiency in digestive enzymes may desire to consume excrement is that it lacks the capacity to properly digest its meal and hence seeks to retrieve those critical nutrients

In addition, an overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine, which results in a vitamin deficit inside its walls is another medical condition that can cause coprophagia (poop eating): diverticulitis. In attempt to compensate for this shortage, the dog develops a strong need to defecate
Often, both of these diseases are characterized by soft or watery stools, since the dog is unable to digest food adequately. Normal stools, on the other hand, do not rule out all potential health problems.

2 Make sure your dog’s nutrition is optimized. When a dog’s food is deficient in nutrients, this might all result in coprophagia in the dog. Some dogs may seek for faeces to eat if they are fed a hard-to-digest meal that is heavy in cereal. This is done to augment their nutritional needs. Make the switch to a high-quality food that contains a designated meat at the top of the food label
And

In order to prevent the dog from being hungry, make sure you are providing the proper quantity (not too much or too little).

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3If your dog gets worms, treat him as soon as possible. Intestinal worms deprive the dog of essential nourishment, which the dog may attempt to retrieve by consuming feces. Put your dog on a decent multi-wormer (these are normally only available by prescription) that protects against all types of parasites (roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms)
4 Make certain that your dog is not bored. An amused or frustrated dog may devise his or her own enjoyment, which may involve scavenging for and eating feces! Make sure your dog gets lots of exercise and engaging play to keep him from becoming bored and developing undesirable behaviors
5 Allow for the resolution of medical concerns to take place. You have a healthy dog who is dewormed and exercises on a regular basis, yet it continues to consume cat feces. Be aware that some behaviors may become habit-forming, and coprophagia is one of those behaviors. It may take many weeks for the dog to cease barking after any underlying issues have been addressed. Advertisement

1 Move the litter tray to a more convenient location. It is sometimes preferable to assist your dog by removing the opportunity for him to misbehave. With this in mind, if at all possible, keep the cat’s litter pan in a separate room from the dog’s territory. Consider installing a child-gate in the doorway so that the cat may leap over the gate but the dog’s passage is not obstructed.

In the case of large dogs or those that are good at jumping, consider placing a cat flap in the door to the room and keeping it closed at all times. To prevent your little dog from gaining admission to the house, install a microchip-activated cat door and program it with only the cat’s number
Otherwise, the dog will be denied access. Obviously, you must make certain that the cat is fully aware of the changing placement of the tray.

2 Make use of a litter box with a lid. Consider utilizing a hooded tray instead of an open one to keep your hands clean. Because of this, the dog will have a more difficult time physically reaching the cat excrement. It is true that there are certain trays that have just a top-entry design, which makes them accessible to young cats (although this is probably not a good idea for elderly or arthritic cats), but not to dogs

You should be aware that some cats despise covered litter boxes, therefore you should choose an alternative solution in such case

Third, set up an invisible trap for the litter box. When the dog approaches the tray, the aim is to cause something unpleasant to happen. This may entail installing a motion-activated canister of compressed air next the tray so that it fires as soon as the dog approaches, or constructing snap-traps on the ground surrounding the tray so that they snap as soon as the dog comes close to the tray
Or

This must be done with caution and precision timing, or else you risk surprising the cat and dissuading it from using the litter tray in the future. If you keep these traps in place for an extended period of time, the cat may become unhappy.

4 Make the dog’s excrement as nasty as possible. Consider making the cat feces less attractive to the eye by making them unpleasant to the touch. Commercial items are available that are meant to be added to meals in order to make the feces that results from the consumption of the food taste unpleasant.

There are a handful of disadvantages to doing so. The ingredient is added to the cat’s food, and because cats are famously picky eaters, they may refuse to consume the contaminated food if it is offered to them. Furthermore, because dogs have a relatively limited sense of taste, it is possible that the changed excrement will not be particularly unpleasant (after all, how much worse can it be?). It may be more effective to make the feces disagreeable to the scent rather than to the taste. Sniffing is a common pre-eating ritual for dogs, which have a very sensitive sense of smell. Pepper the feces well before cooking them. It is unlikely that the dog would stop immediately after sniffing the excrement since the pepper will cause it to sneeze and prove unpleasant. It might take weeks of frequent sneezing before you finally give up on your job as a lousy one.

1Be compassionate while you are attempting to stop the habit. Consider the possibility of having your dog go to the bathroom while you go in to remove cat feces from the floor. It just serves to enhance the level of competition for the feces. It is preferable to let the dog to investigate first, then distract it and praise it for its redirected interest. Training the dog to “come away” from the cat excrement is essential. Holding a treat in your hand and allowing the dog to sniff the fist but not eat the treat is one way of training. When the dog ultimately stops up sniffing the closed hand and moves its head away, tell it to “come away” and reward it with a piece of cheese (not the one in the fist). After a while, the dog will realize that no matter how enticing the prohibited treat appears to be, when you say “Come away,” there is always a guaranteed goodie waiting for it. 3Never penalize the dog. Never smear excrement on the dog’s face, and never violently or verbally attack the dog, regardless of the situation. Although the dog’s acts may be irritating and nasty, you must take a smart approach in order to genuinely modify his habit. Yelling and becoming obviously enraged will simply teach the dog to dread you and become more clandestine in its actions, as opposed to the opposite. Advertisement

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About This Article

Summary of the ArticleXTo prevent your dog from eating cat excrement, cover the feces in your cat’s litter box with black pepper to make them smell unpleasant to your dog, as described in the article. Alternatively, you might try placing a child-gate at the entryway of the room that contains the litter box in order to restrict your dog’s access to it. To prevent dogs from getting into the litter box, consider using one that is either hooded or has just one entrance from the top (top-entry only).

Continue reading for additional tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to educate your dog to stay away from the litter box. Did you find this overview to be helpful? Thank you to all writers for contributing to this page, which has been read 85,084 times so far.

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How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Cat Poop minoandriani/iStockHow to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Cat Poop

Stop Your Dog From Litterbox Snacking

Cat feces is seen as being similar to cupcakes by dogs. They have to have the cat feces, and they have to have it immediately! I know it’s nasty, and regrettably, I’ve never seen a dog who was able to stand up to the treatment. Cat excrement is frequently referred to as “doggie crack” or “canine chocolate,” but I’m guessing you’re more interested in learning how to prevent your dog from consuming cat poop. Well, I’ve got you covered, and I’ll provide several strategies that are shown to work.

Why Do Dogs Like Cat Poop?

It’s a mystery as to why dogs are lured to cat feces in the first place. In theory, the high protein and fat content of the cat’s food may be attractive to canines, but this is not proven. What I do know is that letting your dog unrestricted access to the litterbox will only exacerbate the situation. To get started, let’s go through some tips for keeping your cat’s litterbox secure from canine nefariousness.

How to Stop Dogs From Eating Cat Poop

Locate a location that your dog will not be able to access and place your cat’s litterbox there. The litterbox of some cats is placed on top of the washing machine or dryer, and it appears to be effective for some cat owners. I would definitely advise against installing the litterbox on top of these devices, as cats may be really picky about where they go to potty in the first place. I’m sure attempting to go to the bathroom during the spin cycle might be a little frightening. You could create an elevated study platform with lots of space for your cat’s litterbox if you’re adept with a toolkit.

Another advantage of an elevated litterbox is that it is extremely convenient to scope–no more leaning over.

Set Up a Barrier

The majority of pet owners agree that installing a baby gate with a little access door built into the side of the gate allows cats free access to their litterbox while keeping the dog out is a good solution. Just make sure your barrier is really robust and that your cat has easy access to his litterbox when it’s time to eliminate. If he is unable to reach his litterbox, he will resort to using your plant earth or whatever else is around as a litterbox, which is a very other problem.

Keep It Clean

The majority of pet owners agree that installing a baby gate with a little access door built into the side of the gate allows cats free access to their litterbox while keeping the dog out is the best solution. Ensure, however, that your barrier is really solid and that your cat has easy access to his litterbox when it is necessary. If he is unable to reach his litterbox, he will resort to using your plant earth or whatever else is available as a litterbox, which is a very other problem.

Dog Litterbox Solutions That Don’t Work

Everyone has suggestions, but I’ll be completely honest: none of the suggestions listed below have been proved to be effective.

If you’ve had success with them, consider yourself exceedingly fortunate, and celebrate!

Enclosed Litterboxes

Because we have a strong belief that enclosing a cat’s litterbox will prevent our dogs from ingesting cat feces, we have come to believe that this is not true. I’ve seen a number of dogs cautiously get their heads inside the flapping door and gorge themselves on the contents of the flapping door. The top section of the covered litterbox is often worn as a party hat by some overjoyed canines.

Stool Deterrents

When a pet owner discovers that their dog is eating cat excrement, this is generally the first thing they are instructed to do. Stool deterrents, on the other hand, are ineffective. Stool deterrents are ingredients that are added to your cat’s food in the hopes of giving cat excrement a foul taste, which they do. I would have thought that cat feces would already be disgusting, but I have yet to witness this method in action. Once again, if it has worked for you, congratulations! You are quite fortunate.

Punishment

When your dog is discovered plundering the cat’s litterbox, yelling at him will not get him to stop. Punishment will only teach your dog to consume cat feces silently and to raid the litterbox only when you are not there to supervise him. If your dog is caught eating cat feces, make a commitment to do better in the future by removing the litterbox from your dog’s reach.

Reader Interactions

Gross. That is just revolting. I’m beginning to believe I’m going to be sick. What the hell is wrong with you, dog? This is the thought process that goes through my head anytime I see a dog snorting cat feces on the ground. The gag reflex kicks in, and I swear I’ll never desire another doggy kiss again in my whole life. At least for the next few days, at the very least. Dogs engage in the disgusting behavior of eating their own feces, known as coprophagia, which is really rather widespread among them.

Yes.
I’m afraid that’s the case.
Yes, without a doubt.
Implementing a handful of the suggestions provided below can assist you in putting an end to this irritating habit.

Your dog eating cat poop and you need a solution ASAP? Here are our favorites!

Simple, effective, and reasonably priced: Get yourself a handy door strap like this one. It only permits the door to open enough for the cat to pass through to the litter box
Otherwise, the door remains closed. A More Appropriate Box: There’s nothing special about this place. A top-entry litter box is just a more intelligent design for a cat box. Solution based on technology: Using a self-cleaning litter box, such as thePetSafe Ultra Automatic, cats may defecate away immediately after they perform their duty.

What Causes Dogs to Consume Cat Poop? Although no one is clear as to why dogs regard cat feces to be a delicacy, there are a number of theories as to why they feel the need to indulge in the feces of their feline friends.

The dog is seeking to make up for a nutritional shortfall
Raids on another animal’s territory satisfy the animal’s natural desire to explore and seek for food. Dogs are attracted to the fragrance of cat food, which is often strong in protein and fat, both of which are found in abundance in the faeces. Inherent in all dogs is the instinct to ingest the feces of their puppies, as proven by a mother dog’s inclination to consume the waste of her pups. Boredom and a lack of physical activity are two factors that contribute to harmful or unhealthy conduct.

Is It Bad For Dogs to Eat Cat Poop?

Many dogs often steal a “treat” or two from the litter box, and while this behavior should not be encouraged or allowed, it is unfortunately all too common. Every cat nugget that a dog consumes increases the likelihood that he may eat deadly germs and parasites. In spite of the fact that some cat illnesses are species-specific, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), some illnesses can be transmitted to your dog through the consumption of the droppings of an infected cat.

Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, Giardia, and toxoplasmosis are all parasites that may be transmitted from a cat to a dog through coprophagia (the act of eating a cat’s food).

How You Can Stop a Dog from Eating Cat Poop

Most likely, if your dog develops an appetite for litter box goodies, he will be unlikely to give up the activity on his own. According to reports, those small nibbles are extremely delectable and addictive. Every time your dog approaches you for cuddles and kisses, you don’t want to be consistently grossed out by the notion of what was just in his mouth, or by breath that smells like you know what when he was just in his mouth. To immediately put an end to your dog’s filthy, harmful behavior, put one (or more) of the following suggestions into action today.

1- Make Your Existing Litter Box Inaccessible

To keep your dog away from cat faeces, consider installing an open cat door or a cat door with a flap into the entrance of the room where the litter box is stored. Please keep in mind to close the door behind yourself whenever you enter or depart the room. Our preferred technique, on the other hand, is the use of aDoor Buddy Latch with Door Stop. It takes only a few minutes to put this combo pack to use: simply apply the provided adhesive to the strap and door frame, adjust the strap to enable enough room for your cat to go through, and slide the doorstop onto the top of your door.

2 – Use a Litter Box With a Cover

When it comes to large dogs, a covered litter box may be sufficient to keep cat excrement out of their reach. It will also help to situate the litter box so that the opening faces a corner and to place it on a non-slip mat (so that your dog cannot move it across the floor) in order to dissuade your dog. Always be sure to allow just enough space for your cat to arrive and depart at his or her own pace.

3 – Switch to a Top-Entry Litter Box

Litter boxes that only allow the cat to enter from the top make it very hard for a dog to reach the litter box on the bottom level. Because of the elevated base of a top-entry litter box, it is excellent for retaining sprayed urine and limiting the quantity of litter dragged outside the box. By putting items like these in a top-entry box before filling with litter, cleaning day becomes much easier. Simply pull the liner out and toss it in the trash.

4 – Try a Self-Cleaning Litter Box

In this day and age, even litter boxes are getting more technologically advanced. A self-cleaning litter box, such as the PetSafe Ultra Automatic, removes solid waste as soon as your cat deposits his excrement. This device, which is equipped with motion sensors to stop the rake if your cat returns to the box, also keeps track of how often your cat visits the box, allowing you to be certain that your cat’s digestive tract is operating regularly.

They don’t require daily scooping of feces, can go for up to a month between litter changes, and are available with or without a hooded cover to accommodate different cat sizes and shapes. When you use the automated rake, it moves the waste into a covered chamber, making it inaccessible to your dog.

5 – Poop Eating Deterrent

Believe it or not, there is a substance that you can sprinkle into your cat’s food to make his excrement less appetizing to dogs, and this product is available for purchase. For-Bid Coprophagia Deterrent was developed specifically for this purpose, and it works by modifying the aroma and taste of feces, without impacting the flavor of food or the digestive process in any way. It is available for purchase online. It has been assisting dissatisfied and unhappy dog owners for more than 40 years with its safe, effective anti-coprophagia product, which has received physician approval.

Pick up a bottle of the spicier hot sauce you can find and hurry to the litter box as soon as your cat is through eating.

It normally only takes one or two sessions of this therapy to persuade your dog that cat excrement isn’t nearly as delectable as he previously believed.

6 – Add Additional Nutrients

Supplementing your dog’s current diet with a multivitamin may be beneficial if you feel that he is attempting to achieve a nutritional need by munching on the food scraps left in the litter box. Choosing a dog diet with increased fat and protein content may also be beneficial. Keep in mind that you should transition to a new cuisine gradually to avoid gastric distress.

7 – Install a Pet Gate

A pet gate with a small cat door allows your cat to enter the room where his litter box and food are kept, while keeping your dog out of the area entirely. Your cat will be able to take care of his business without having to worry about the dog snatching his food from his bowl. Each of these gates is adjustable to accommodate most entrances, allows people to pass through without difficulty, and uses pressure to stay put without causing damage to your house. This is obviously not a good idea for a little dog, but if your dog is large enough and can not fit through the cat door at the bottom, a pet gate can successfully keep your dog away from his favorite cat nibbles and the cat’s feeding dish.

8 – Conceal and Enclose the Litter Box

Making your cat’s restroom seem as a trendy end table with theecoFlex Litter Loo litter box cover/end table is a chic method to keep dogs away from the litter box. This intelligently constructed cat box cover fits both conventional and self-cleaning litter trays and is available in normal and jumbo sizes with four different colors to choose from. It is leak-proof and includes a little cat door in the front to allow your cat to enter in while keeping dogs out. The Petsfit Double-Decker Litter Box Enclosure is another litter box cover that may also be used as a piece of useful furniture to conceal the litter box.

An alternative that is less expensive is thePet Gear Pro Pawty, which is also a two-story structure. However, while this version is not robust enough to serve as furniture, it does a good job of concealing the litter box on the bottom level where it is out of reach of your dog.

9 – Create an Innovative Litter Box Hide-Away

If you’re the creative sort or prefer practicality over aesthetics, transform an ordinary object into a “bathroom hideaway” for your cat that will deter your dog from sneaking a warm snack from the bathroom. Two of our favorite ideas to get your creative juices going are shown here.

By carefully cutting an access hole into the lid or a high point on one of the sides of a Rubbermaid tote storage container, like as this one, you can turn it into a litter box hideaway in minutes. Cover the cut edges with a thick piece of tape, such as duct tape, and insert a litter box inside
You’re finished. By simply placing a cat door immediately on the lowest drawer of an old dresser with deep drawers and adding a litter box, an old dresser with deep drawers may be turned into a cat’s bathroom. Voilà

10 – Train, Train, Train

It is feasible to educate your dog to stay away from cat feces if you put in the necessary time and effort. During the training phase, perseverance and consistency will be essential, so stick with it until you see results. You should tell him to “Leave it” if you see him approaching the litter box or a buried prize outside. When your dog’s interest shifts away from the feces and toward you, lavish him with praise and provide him with a tasty food that is appropriate for the situation. Over time, he’ll come around to the concept.

11 – Limit Your Dog’s Freedom in the Yard

If your cat walks outside, or if neighboring cats use your yard on a regular basis, there is a strong likelihood that they are also leaving something behind. When your dog is outside, you may find yourself with little alternative but to restrict him freedom until he learns that cleaning up after cats is an absolute no-no. Rather of just opening the door and letting your dog out to play in your fenced-in yard, you may find yourself having to keep him by your side on his leash every time he wants to go outside.

If you can get your dog used to being tied out on occasion, it may make your life a little simpler (this tie-out works excellent!).

12 – Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Given that boredom and a lack of proper exercise are frequently the root causes of a dog seeking refuge in a mound of cat droppings, consider increasing the amount of daily activities, both physical and mental, that your dog participates in.

Engage your companion in a thrilling game of fetch until his tongue is hanging out and he loses interest
This will allow you to spend some quality time together. Instead of simply going around the block, how about running around it a couple of times? Games like hide-and-seek will quickly drain both his physical and mental resources as he dashes around the room hunting for you
While your dog is preoccupied with something else, go outside and scatter bits of kibble along a meandering course through the yard. He will get a fantastic physical and mental exercise as he dashes about looking for each and every morsel.

It doesn’t matter how you choose to encourage him to get more exercise and challenge his mental talents; the idea is to help him burn off excess energy and give his mind something else to concentrate on other than whatever may be waiting in the litter box. Updated at 03:20 UTC on December 25, 2021 / Affiliate links / Images sourced from the Amazon Product Advertising API

Is Your Dog Eating Cat Poop Out of the Litter Box? How to Get Him to Stop

I have three dogs and four cats who share my home. Overall, it’s a peaceful monarchy to be found there. But it doesn’t matter if my cats sleep in my dog’s beds or that my dogs believe that mouse toys are supposed to be shredded. The benefits of sharing a home with both dogs and cats exceed the minor inconveniences of having a mixed-species family. Except for the part where the dogs consume the “snacks” they take from the cats’ litter boxes, the story is quite accurate. In case it wasn’t apparent, I’m referring to the fact that I’m dealing with a dog who is consuming cat feces from the litter box.

Dogs Eating Cat Poop — My Story

Is your dog savoring the smell of cat poop? It’s mine, too! Here’s what I came up with. My dogs must believe it is really thoughtful of the resident felines to leave these presents in their litter boxes on a frequent basis. No way am I going to stop my dogs from feasting on excrement and then running over to me with poo-poo breath and wanting to lick my face. Potty mouth, to say the least. I needed to figure out a technique to prevent my dogs from consuming cat feces. According to experts, you should have one litter box for every two cats you have.

As a result of having four cats, we have five litter boxes in our home. All of them are in rooms with doors that can be closed: restrooms, the basement, and a space in my son’s room where one cat spends the most of her time.

Things We Tried to Keep the Dogs Out of Litter Boxes

To keep the basement door closed while keeping it open just wide enough for cats like Calvin, we created a system of bungee cords and boxes to keep it open just wide enough for him. Susan C. Willett was in charge of the photography. To keep the dogs out at initially, we utilized a mix of door stops and bracing to keep them out. When I want to make it tough to open a door, I’ll put a brick or other heavy item on the inside of it. Because of this, every time a human left the bathroom, we had to do an uncomfortable combination of reaching around the door while dragging the brick toward us, and simultaneously shutting the door just enough so that a cat could fit in but a dog could not.

Afterwards, we experimented with a bungee rope and a makeshift door stop in tandem.
Our terrier Tucker, in particular, found the cat feces to be an irresistible source of temptation.
It didn’t matter how hefty the thing serving as a barrier was.
We experimented with pressure-mounted baby gates, which we utilized to block off entrance to our laundry area and the bathroom, where the most often used litter box could be found.
That kind of worked, sort of.
We had to take the gate down and put it back up every time we left the house, did our laundry, walked out the back door, or went to the downstairs restroom.
Susan C.

We eventually came with a customized door latch, which my husband installed after drilling holes in the door and the jamb to accommodate it.

Experts also believe that animals like putting in effort to obtain their food, which is the reasoning for providing food puzzles to your dogs (and cats).

Then he discovered that, by scratching and banging on the door for a long enough period of time, he could remove the hook.

Tucker scraped, chewed, and beat on this door until he was able to loosen the lock and make his way to the poo-poo plate in the litter box, which he then devoured.

Susan C.

If Your Dog is Eating Cat Poop, Change theBehavior

That’s when I recognized that merely restricting access to the problem was not going to be enough to solve the problem. It was necessary for me to deal with the behavioral issue. To prevent my dogs from getting into the litter, I began training them to keep away from it. I reinforced the Leave It command — which they were previously familiar with — by placing a treat in front of them and rewarding them with an even greater treat if they refused to comply. I also showed them how to use the command “Wait.” A version on the phrase “Stay, Wait” suggests that you should not move beyond a specific point.

The purpose of this device in our household was to keep the dogs out of the restrooms while I was cleaning the litter.
Prior to leaving the house, we made sure to empty the cabinets of any prospective goodies, as our clever little terrier had determined that by staying home and retrieving the feces himself, he would have a higher chance of returning home with the prize.
Before we leave the house, I also feed my dogs a tiny food to keep them energized.
Then I discovered a door lock that Tucker is unable to open with his bare hands.
They are easily adjustable, reasonably priced, and may be installed without the use of tools.
In order to allow cats to enter while keeping dogs out of the litter boxes, the Door Buddy was developed as a very basic, affordable, and simple-to-install solution.
Willett was in charge of the photography.
Every now and then, one of our dogs manages to track down and ingest a piece of cat feces; this is generally the result of someone forgetting to close the door.

With the exception of when one of the cats barfs. We’re still trying to figure it out. Although Jasper can see down the steps when the door is locked, it is impossible for him visit the litter box. Susan C. Willett was in charge of the photography.

Tips to keep a dog out of the litter box:

In order to prevent your dog from eating the excrement, teach him the Leave It command. Train your dog to drop it in case you arrive a bit too late and she already has a piece of cat feces in her mouth
Teach your dog new tricks. Wait, and don’t let him near the litter box locations, especially if you’re cleaning them at the time. Make sure your dog is kept occupied and active when you are at home in order to prevent her from becoming disinterested and being more prone to search for trouble. In particular, make sure that your litter boxes are clean before you leave the house. Consider utilizing gates or a latch, such as theDoor Buddy, to secure your door. The Peek a Boo (which is the one I started with) and theLatch’nVent are two more options I’ve discovered. Using only positive reinforcement during the training process will ensure that your dog does not consume feces. While some individuals use litter boxes with coverings to keep their dogs from nibbling, this isn’t the most effective method of prevention. It’s common for cats to dislike being confined while they’re going about their business. When cats are at their most vulnerable, they like to be able to see what (and who) is going on around them and to feel protected. This is particularly true in multi-cat families. Furthermore, the stench inside a covered litter box is rather unpleasant, which must be particularly unpleasant for those delicate tiny kitten noses. If at all feasible, locate the litter boxes on a high shelf where a cat may get them but a dog cannot
A little more expensive approach is to install a cat door that allows your cat to enter a room but not your dog to do so. There are doors designed specifically for indoor usage that open with a microchip from a pet’s microchip, allowing you to limit access if you have a tiny dog that is comparable in size to your cat. Experiment with various different combinations of blockade solutions to determine which one works best for you and your dogs, but make sure to incorporate positive training approaches throughout your experiments as well.

Tell us if your dog is consuming cat feces. In order to keep your dog out of the litter box, what methods have you tried? On Dogster.com, you can learn more about cats and dogs:

Which Dogs Are the Best for Cats? Try One of These Five Breeds
Tips for Living with Cats and Dogs in Apartments
5 Tips for Living with Cats and Dogs in Apartments
There are eight ways that having cats makes me appreciate my dogs even more.

a little about the author: Author, photographer, and blogger Susan C. Willett’s award-winning original tales, photography, poetry, and comedy can all be found on her website, Life With Dogs and Cats, which she created with her husband. Calvin T. Katz, the Most Interesting Cat in the World, and three dogs (all rescues), as well as at least a couple of people, live with her in New Jersey and provide as inspiration for her work. Additional Lilah, Jasper, and Tucker (as well as the rest of the crew) may be found onHaiku by DogTM, Haiku by CatTM, and Dogs and Cats TextingTM, in addition to the Life With Dogs and Cats website.

Strategies to Stop Your Dog From Eating Cat Poop

The Reason Why My Dog Is Regurgitating
End-Stage Feline Kidney Disease
Excellent Indoor Dog Litter Boxes
And more.

Even while you may find cat feces to be revolting, your dog is likely to find it to be tasty owing to the high levels of protein included in cat food. It’s one of the reasons they’re frequently eager to nibble from the litter box because conventional cat food appeals to a dog’s sense of smell, and many dogs like eating it. Coprophagia is a term used to describe the act of eating feces. It can be caused by a nutritional shortage, but it is more typically the result of a curious curiosity that can develop into an unhealthy habit.

Strategies to Stop Your Dog From Snacking in the Litter Box

If you want to prevent your dog from consuming cat feces from the litter box, there are certain measures you may do.

Restrict Access

Baby gates are an excellent tool for keeping your dog out while yet allowing your cat to get in. Place the gate inside the entryway that leads to the room where the litter box is stored, so that it is out of the way. It is possible to purchase gates in several different design options.

Some cats are able to get through the gaps in metal gates because they are large enough. It is OK to use this sort of gate if your dog is a medium to big breed
However, it will not be enough for a 5-pound chihuahua. When installed above the ground, mesh pressure-mounted baby gates can be used successfully. You can squeeze your cat beneath, but your dog will not be able to do so, unless you have a very little dog. A low-cost alternative is to purchase a basic baby gate and cut a hole in the plastic large enough to allow your cat to pass through comfortably. If you have a little dog, you may put the hole a little higher up on the wall.

TheDoorBuddy is another tool that has shown to be effective. If you position this gadget between your door and a wall, it will allow your cat to come and go freely while preventing your dog from doing so.

Keep the Litter Box Clean

Remove the excrement from the litter box as soon as your cat does so that your dog does not consume the contents. This only works if you spend the majority of your time at home. In any case, cleaning out the litter box on a regular basis throughout the day is a healthy habit to maintain your cat’s happiness. However, if you work or must be away from home on a regular basis, this will be a challenging alternative.

Use a Different Type of Litter Box

Remove the feces from the litter box as soon as your cat does so that your dog does not eat it. This is only effective if you spend the most of your time at home. If you want to keep your cat happy, it is a good idea to wipe out the litter box many times during the day. The downside to this choice is that it requires you to work or be away from home frequently.

Litter boxes that cats enter from the top
Litter boxes with retractable lids
Litter boxes with cat doors
Litter boxes that self-clean automatically
Litter boxes with retracting lids
Litter boxes with cat doors

However, these sorts of litter boxes are not suitable for every cat.

Cats that are older or larger in stature do not often prefer them. Because it generates a whole new set of problems, you don’t want to make it more difficult for your cat to eliminate. Additionally, some of these litter boxes are not especially cost-effective.

Can Eating Cat Poop Make My Dog Sick?

It is possible that a dog that snatches a brief nibble from a litter box would not experience any negative consequences. However, ingesting cat feces on a frequent basis might result in diarrhea and vomiting. Dogs can also become infected with intestinal parasites after consuming cat feces. Hookworms, roundworms, and giardia are all parasites that are spread by feces. These parasites induce diarrhea, vomiting, and, in extreme cases, weight loss and anemia as a result of their presence. A dog might potentially become ill as a result of swallowing an excessive amount of litter material.

In order to ensure that your dog hasn’t caught any intestinal parasites from ingesting cat feces, you should take him to your veterinarian for frequent stool examinations and fecal examinations.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Cat Poop

When you discover your dog consuming cat litter, your first instinct will be to chastise him or her. Even if you catch them in the act of wrongdoing, resist the temptation to criticize them. This will simply encourage your dog to slip away and perform the act when you aren’t paying attention. If your dog has consumed cat feces, take them to your veterinarian to ensure that they are not suffering from any serious health repercussions. If your dog has consumed a big amount of litter or cat feces, keep an eye out for the following signs:

Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and decreased energy are all symptoms of diarrhea.

If you see any of these symptoms, you should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Speak with your physician about putting your pup on a monthly dewormer regimen if they are an active litter box user.

You Can Keep Your Dog From Eating Cat Poop

The fact that your well-intentioned dog is attempting to assist you in keeping the cat litter box clean is not only filthy, but it may also be detrimental to your dog’s health. You can prevent your dog from treating the litter box as a personal treat buffet by employing some innovative tactics and being diligent on your part. Keep in mind that your dog is only doing what comes naturally to him and has no idea that what he is doing is harmful to him. All rights retained by LoveToKnow Media, Inc.

10 Ways to Stop Your Dog Eating Cat Poop

If you live in a household with many pets, there are few sights more unpleasant than your furball chowing down on cat feces and droppings. Despite the fact that it is unquestionably disgusting, coprophagia is a behavioral disease that can be triggered by medical or nutritional concerns. There are a variety of reasons why dogs consume cat feces.

The dog is attempting to make up for a food shortfall. There is still a strong scent of cat food in the feces, which is rich in the lipids and protein that dogs want. When the dog forages for food and explores for it, he is gratifying primordial instincts. Coprophagia is a naturally occurring tendency in canines. Dogs might get bored or unfit due to a lack of exercise, which can lead to them engaging in harmful or destructive behavior.

Fortunately, we’re here to teach you how to put an end to this pattern of behavior once and for all.

Make certain that your dog is kept busy. Educate your dog on how to obey orders
Invest in a litter box that is dog-proof. Maintain the cleanliness of the cat litter tray at all times. Keep your cat’s litter box hidden
Consider the use of fences or obstacles. Dogs should not be able to reach your cat’s litter box. Increase the temperature of the litter box
Make use of stool deterrents. Consume a well-balanced meal that is high in nutrients for your dog

1) Make sure your dog is entertained

One of the first things you should examine is whether or not your dog is attracted to the concept of mucking around with cat feces out of simple boredom or curiosity. If you leave your dog alone for a lengthy amount of time, this behavior may become more severe. When it comes to keeping your dog engaged, you’re in luck since there are so many options available. If your dog is a destructive chewer, you should consider giving him some chew toys. Toy for distributing treats Feel certain that your dog’s favorite treats will be delivered to him throughout the day.

Dog puzzle toys are another excellent technique to keep your hound happy and cognitively challenged even if you’re away from home all day at work or on vacation.

If you address this issue, it is possible that your dog may stop playing with cat excrement. If not, here’s a suggestion for anyone who is staying at home with their dog.

2) Train your dog to obey commands

If you discover that your dog is regularly breaching the privacy of your cat, you can take action while you are still at home with him. It’s time to start teaching your dog to “Leave it.” It takes little more than patience and determination to teach your dog this command to come when called. You should demand, “Leave it,” every time you see your dog approaching the cat litter area. Be stern, but not harsh. When your dog follows your instructions, give them a treat and a huge cuddle. If they don’t comply, say it again, but considerably louder this time.

3) Invest in a dog-proof litter box

Now, purchasing a dog-proof litter box may be the quickest and most straightforward answer to your problem. These litter boxes with covers serve two important functions. For starters, your cat will not have the opportunity to distribute his litter all over the place. As a result, this will be neatly confined within the dog-proof cage instead. A plus is that grates will wipe his paws on the way out, and these boxes are constructed with litter that will not track across your carpeting or floors.

Your cat gets his solitude, and you don’t have to deal with the unpleasant sight of Fido consuming cat feces.

4) Keep the cat litter tray clean at all times

Taking immediate action and blitzing the cat crap as soon as it’s done is another hands-on approach of keeping your cat and dog apart when it counts. Let’s face it, if your dog’s litter pan is clean, he or she will have nothing to play with to begin with. This may not be feasible for you, or you may dislike the notion of continuously cleaning up after your feline companion. This is something we understand, as do the producers of litter trays. If you appreciate the concept of automating those time-consuming duties in your life, there are lots of self-cleaning models available.

5) Conceal your cat litter box

In order to keep your dog from playing with cat excrement, it is traditional to keep the litter tray out of reach of his curious ears and eyes. It is possible to disguise a dog’s appealing reward by enclosing the litter tray within an alitter toilet, making it appear as an end table or cabinet instead of a litter tray. As an added advantage, even if your dog grows suspicious, he will be unable to gain entry into the house in any event, but your cat will be able to do so without difficulty.

6) Consider fencing or barriers

Individual fences might be installed to prevent access to specific places, allowing your cat to have the seclusion he requires while also preventing your dog from playing with excrement.

Cats will be able to slide through the thin spaces between the bars on these fences, leaving your dog grumbling on the other side of the fence.

7) Render your cat litter box inaccessible to dogs

If you want to keep your dog from playing with excrement, you might erect different gates to prevent him from entering specific places. This would provide your cat the seclusion he requires while still keeping him safe. Cats will be able to slip through the thin spaces between the bars on these fences, leaving your dog grumbling on the other side of the boundary.

8) Add some heat to the litter box

The addition of spicy sauce or black pepper to your kitty litter mixture can deter the presence of your dog. The only question here is whether or not your cat is bothered by this. If you haven’t already, give this hack a go; you’ll be astonished at the results.

9) Use stool deterrents

Stool deterrents, which are designed to make cat feces unappealing to dogs, are available for purchase. While this is a viable option in the event that all else fails, we do have one final recommendation for you today, and it is one of the most important.

10) Feed your dog a balanced diet high in nutrients

Keep in mind that dogs will occasionally consume cat feces because they are deficient in essential nutrients. Consult with your veterinarian about if you should switch your dog’s food or add some additional food to ensure that they are getting all of the nutrients they require. Conclusion You should now understand that dogs eating cat feces is not only widespread, but also disgusting. You should also realize that you are not obligated to suffer in solitude. There are several approaches to preventing this unwholesome habit, including purchasing a stool deterrent or training your dog.

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