It is a cold, winter day, and you are relaxing by a warm fire in your living room. Suddenly, you noticed an awful smell has entered the room. You look around the room, and to your utter dismay, you see your dog with poop smeared across its face. How?! Why?!? You probably have a lot of questions, starting with why in the world do dogs eat their own poop? Well, today you are in luck because that is exactly what we will be covering in today’s article. Hopefully after you get an understanding of why does eat their own poop in the winter, you will be able to take action in order to stop this behavior.
Why do dogs eat their own poop in the winter?
Smell: As crazy as it sounds, the smell of dog poop is not actually bad for dogs. Instead, it is more alluring because of its strong stench. The smell is actually a lot more enticing during the winter, because other smells in the environment are a lot less strong because of the cold weather. Therefore, the stench of your dog’s own poop stands out even more.
Texture: Have you ever been craving peanuts or any other crunchy food? Well, that is actually one of the main reasons dog’s decide to eat their own poop in the winter. The crunchy texture of the poop is very attractive to them, especially when they have been eating the soft snow.
Curiosity: Another big reason dogs eat their own poop in the winter is because the snow covers most of the ground. This means that there are limited things to find and chew on. Sometimes, a dog’s poop is the only thing sitting on top of the layer of snow. Therefore, it is their curiosity that draws them to go eat the poop.
Warmth: The warmth offered by the poop is another reason dogs are attracted to eating it. This is especially true when your dog has been outside for a while and is starting to get cold.
Dogs are more hungry in the winter: A dog’s body must work harder to maintain homeostasis and keep its body warm during the winter. If your dog spends a lot of time outside in the cold, then your dog will probably get hungrier. That is why your dog might eat its own poop in the winter, especially if it has no other option for food.
How to stop dog from eating its own poop in the winter
Below are the 3 easiest ways to stop your dog from eating its own poop in the winter:
1) Keep an eye on him/her when they are outside. Chase your dog away if they go near their own poop.
2) Pick up and dispose of the poop immediately when you see it
3) Make sure you are feeding your dog enough regular food, so he/she is not hungry and feel a need to eat its own poop.
If your dog does eat its own poop, you can follow the same steps mentioned in this article: how to help a dog pass cat poop.
