Tummy Trouble

As long as the stools aren’t extremely watery, black like tar, containing fresh blood, or associated with vomiting or excessive straining, you can try giving 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of Kaopectate. You may also try feeding a bland diet of cooked white rice and boiled skinless, boneless chicken or lean hamburger meat. If diarrhea worsens or doesn’t improve in 24-48 hours, call to make an appointment for an exam.

My dog is eating his own stool (or the cat’s stool), does that mean he has a vitamin deficiency?

Coprophagia (or stool eating) is a common behavioral problem. Some behaviorists suspect that the dogs develop a taste for the undigested protein material that is in the stools. Your vet can make some suggestions to try to curb this annoying behavior.

How can I stop my dog from eating its stool?

You may try sprinkling a commercial product like “Forbid” or meat tenderizer on your dog’s food. It changes the stool, making it taste worse than normal. You may try “booby-trapping” any stool in the yard with hot sauce however you must be consistent. If your dog encounters any stool that has not been booby-trapped then it will take longer for your dog to stop this habit. Also try leash walking your dog and keeping the yard picked up.