How to Stop Dogs from Eating Cat Poop
Among the list of behaviors in dogs that may leave us a bit disgusted, perhaps observing a dog enjoying a few ''tootsie rolls'' from Fluffy's litter box may make it up to the top three. What perhaps makes things even worse, is the fact that Fido's choice is more likely than not deliberate, so there are really not many excuses such as ''Rover must have a nutritional deficiency'' especially when the dog is well fed and well nourished. Indeed, a cat's feces may make a delectable treat for dogs in scavenging mode because of the high levels of proteins found in the cat's food.
So know that you have discovered of your furry friend's bad habit, what can you do to discourage this annoying behavior? Following are some effective strategies that hopefully will discourage the most persistent cat poop ''connoisseur''.
-Teach the ''Off command''
All dogs should be acquainted with the ''off'' command. This vital command basically keeps dogs out of trouble. In order to work however, your dog should respect your leadership skills and apply your commands even when out of your sight. This may however be easier said than done. Many dogs engage in sneaky behaviors when their owners are out of sight. Sometimes it is worth it to hide somewhere and watch from a distance to catch the dog red handed. This will teach the dog that you are quite an ''ubiquitous'' being and will learn that even when he feels ''safe'' he is not!
-Keep Litter Box Immaculate
In other words, get practical and try to clean the litter box as often as you can making sure no ''tootsie rolls'' are left behind. Generally, the less goodies in the litter box, the less the dog will feel compelled to visit it. This may appear as a tedious but your tidy cat will surely appreciate it!
-Turn a Delicacy into Something Distasteful
Basically, when you can, try to spray some cat poop in the litter box with some bitter apple spray. This product can be found in some pet stores or at the vet's office. As an alternative, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or a bit of Tabasco sauce may do the trick. The unpleasant taste, will teach the dog that kitty must have taken a stroll and eaten at that famous hot Mexican restaurant around the corner...Make sure your dog has access to water!
-Elevate the litter Box
Of course, this is the most obvious solution and one of the easiest to accomplish. Simply take advantage of the fact that cats are great climbers and dogs are not. Placing the litter box on a tall table may do the trick but make sure your dog is unable to knock the litter box off of it with the end result of creating a big mess.
-Think Small
Cats are much more petite than most dogs so it may help to place the litter box in a way that the opening to get there may be tight enough to allow the cat to get past through it but not the dog. A baby gate may work wonders since most cats may fit through it while the dog will most likely remain behind.
-Litter Boxes with Flaps
There are litter boxes that are covered in order to prevent odors and that have a flap as an entrance. In order for the cat to enter he or she must push with its head through it. Most dogs may be discouraged by the presence of this flap, however, some very persistent ones may decide to still stick their head through and enjoy the smells and all.
As seen, there are several ways to keep Fido out of Fluffy's private restroom, Just keep a watchful eye on the dog and if regardless of all you do, your dog is still capable of getting into the litter box, just make sure he does not get anywhere near you to give you one of his affectionate''kisses''!
For Further Reading
- Dog eating own stools
Owners may be pretty surprised and react with a touch of disgust when their dog decides to ingest what just came out the other end. This can be a pretty common practice in the wild, where dogs may eat their...