Ask Dr. Paola- Help! My Dog Eats Her Poop! (April 20, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we deliver knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can preserve your furry good friend blissful and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Is a Poop Eater!

“I’ve a feminine canine whom I rescued in October. Lulu is a “poop eater.” I principally get the poop picked up instantly. I’ve bought no poop chews and reward her with treats when she poops and instantly runs to the door after. She has discovered to return to her mattress for treats after doing her enterprise. I do, nevertheless, catch her making an attempt to eat a chunk of it if I missed choosing it up. I really feel she was meals insecure earlier than coming to me and discovered to eat poop. She was so skinny. What extra can I do?“ – Carlan

Expensive Carlan,

What you might be seeing with Lulu is definitely fairly widespread, particularly in canine who’ve skilled meals shortage or inconsistent care. From a behavioral perspective, coprophagia can turn into a discovered survival technique, very similar to somebody who as soon as had restricted entry to meals holding onto habits even after their surroundings improves. The truth that she was underweight once you rescued her strongly helps that this habits could have began as an adaptive response somewhat than a desire. The excellent news is that you’re already doing a number of issues very properly, particularly reinforcing her for eliminating and returning to you, which helps shift her focus away from the feces and towards a predictable reward.

At this stage, administration and consistency are key. Fast cleanup stays probably the most efficient instruments, since stopping rehearsal of the habits is like eradicating the chance for a behavior to strengthen. Proceed reinforcing her for coming inside proper after she eliminates, and contemplate making that reward particularly excessive worth so it constantly outweighs the motivation to research the stool. Some canine profit from being on a leash throughout potty breaks so you possibly can gently information them away proper after they end. Nutritionally, guarantee she is on an entire and balanced food plan with ample caloric consumption, since lingering starvation or malabsorption can contribute to this habits. If the habits persists regardless of good administration, it may be useful to have a veterinarian assess for underlying digestive points corresponding to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or intestinal parasites, though in lots of rescue instances, habits stays the first driver.

It is usually essential to be affected person along with her, since habits shaped beneath stress can take time to fade, even in a protected surroundings. You’re basically serving to her “rewrite” an outdated survival script with a brand new, safer routine. Over time, with constant reinforcement and prevention, most canine steadily lose curiosity in feces as they be taught that meals is reliably offered and extra rewarding choices can be found. Sustain the great administration and provides it time!
Sincerely,

– Dr. Paola

If you’d like actual time solutions to your questions, you possibly can speak to one among our veterinarians on-line. Click on on the picture or button beneath:

Assist! Can I Do An O2 Field at Dwelling?

“My 9-year-old Shih Tzu, Frederick, has developed fluid within the lungs, and I additionally discovered
out he has an enlarged coronary heart, virtually extending to each side of the rib cage. The emergency vet, on the time, stated he needed to maintain Frederick in a single day in an O2 field. I knew Frederick wouldn’t like that, as he sleeps on the foot of my mattress each night time. However I’m questioning, my husband works with an O2 tank for welding. Is it doable that I can construct an O2 field and use my husband’s O2 bottle at residence?” – Rachel

Expensive Rachel,

I’m actually glad you requested earlier than making an attempt this, as a result of Frederick’s state of affairs is severe, and your intuition to assist his respiration comes from a spot of deep care. When a canine develops fluid within the lungs, typically associated to coronary heart enlargement from situations like degenerative valve illness, oxygen therapy will be lifesaving, however it should be delivered in a managed, medically supervised method. An oxygen cage in a clinic will not be merely a field with oxygen flowing in; it rigorously regulates oxygen focus, humidity, temperature, and carbon dioxide ranges, whereas the affected person is repeatedly monitored for any adjustments in respiration effort or stress.

Utilizing a welding oxygen tank at residence will not be protected, because it doesn’t permit exact management of oxygen supply. This may result in problems corresponding to oxygen toxicity or insufficient air flow, which can worsen his situation somewhat than enhance it. It is usually essential to keep in mind that oxygen remedy is just one a part of stabilization. Medicines like diuretics to take away fluid, together with cardiac drugs to support heart function, are important and handle the underlying trigger somewhat than simply the respiration problem.

If Frederick is displaying increased breathing effort, restlessness, or problem settling comfortably, he wants immediate veterinary care in a setting the place monitoring and therapy changes will be made safely. Whereas hospitalization can really feel emotionally troublesome, it’s typically essentially the most compassionate choice in these instances. Many clinics will work with you to scale back stress, together with permitting visits or offering mild calming assist. If he stabilizes, your veterinarian could then information you on protected residence care. Your bond with him may be very clear, and selecting the extent of care that retains him snug and supported is among the kindest issues you are able to do for him right now.

Finest needs,

– Dr. Paola

This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence

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