Introduction
Eating cat poop, also known as coprophagia, is a common behavior seen in many dogs. In fact, studies show that up to 23% of dogs eat cat feces on occasion[1]. While this may seem gross and perplexing to us humans, for dogs it’s a natural instinct and not necessarily a cause for concern. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at why dogs eat cat poop and how to curb this behavior.
Exploring the Appeal
Dogs are naturally drawn to the texture and smell of cat litter. The granular texture resembles food to dogs, and they use their sense of smell and taste to explore new things in their environment (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2021). Cat litter is designed to be super absorbent and contain appealing scents that cats like, and dogs seem attracted to the smell too. The combination of an appealing texture and smell causes dogs to indulge in eating cat litter.
Cat feces contains a high amount of protein and fat, which provides a tasty, energy-dense snack for dogs (AKC, 2022). The rich nutritional profile of cat feces likely makes cat litter even more appealing, as it absorbs the scents and flavors. Even though most cat litter is made from non-digestible materials like clay, dogs will still eat it due to the residual nutrition and smells.
The habit of eating cat litter usually starts out as natural curiosity or boredom in puppies and dogs. However, over time it can become a compulsive behavior that is difficult to stop (Skoon Cat Litter, 2021). Understanding the appeal of texture and smell provides insight into this perplexing canine behavior.
Nutritional Causes
Some studies have shown that dogs may eat cat litter because it contains nutrients and minerals that their regular dog food lacks (Source). Cat litter is often made from clay, silica crystals, or other gritty materials. While not intentionally nutritious, this grit can provide trace amounts of minerals like sodium, potassium, and iron that dogs crave.
Additionally, cat litter absorbs urine and feces. So when dogs eat used cat litter, they may be drawn to the concentrated urine for its salt content. Coprophagia, the act of eating feces, is common in dogs as they seek to obtain nutrients their bodies lack.
However, the trace nutrients found in cat litter are negligible compared to a balanced dog diet. Eating cat litter should not be viewed as a substitute for high-quality dog food. If your dog is frequently eating litter, consult your vet about adding supplements or switching foods to better meet their nutritional needs.
Medical Causes
There are a few different medical conditions that could cause a dog to eat cat litter. According to the PetMD article “Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop” https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/why-do-dogs-eat-cat-poop one common medical reason is intestinal parasites. Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and giardia can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, meaning the dog is not getting proper nutrition from their regular food. This malnourishment drives them to eat the cat litter in an attempt to make up for nutritional deficiencies. Intestinal parasites should be treated by a veterinarian with dewormers and other medications.
Another potential medical cause is a condition called pica, as explained in the Good Vet article “Why is My Dog Eating Cat Litter?” https://www.goodnavet.com.au/post/why-is-my-dog-eating-cat-litter Pica causes dogs to eat non-food items compulsively. This could drive a dog to ingest cat litter, dirt, rocks or other inedible things. Pica is usually triggered by an underlying medical issue like anemia, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes or nutritional deficiencies. A full veterinary workup is required to diagnose and treat pica.
Less common conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hyperthyroidism and diabetes can also lead to increased appetite and odd food cravings like cat litter, according to PetMD. Dogs with these conditions may eat litter to satisfy persistent hunger caused by the disease. As always, any major change in a pet’s eating behavior warrants a veterinary visit to identify the underlying cause.
Boredom and Stress
Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time without adequate stimulation may turn to eating cat litter out of sheer boredom. Dogs are highly social animals that need regular interaction and activity to stay happy and healthy. When under-exercised and lonely, they may resort to investigating anything in their environment to relieve boredom, including the contents of the litter box. Ensuring your dog has a stimulating routine including walks, playtime, puzzles, and training can help prevent boredom eating.
Eating cat litter can also be a stress response in some dogs. The scent and texture provides a sensory experience that may have a calming effect for anxious dogs. Sources have a couple tips to help reduce stress-induced litter eating:
- Make sure your dog’s schedule includes relaxing downtime as well as active time so they don’t get overstimulated (Petmate, 2022).
- Consider calming supplements or pheromone diffusers if your dog has separation anxiety (Rowlands, 2023).
- Provide safe chew toys when you leave so your dog has an appropriate outlet for stress relief (Petmate, 2022).
Ensuring your dog’s behavioral and enrichment needs are met can reduce the appeal of litter as a boredom buster or anxiety reliever.
Denying Access
One of the most effective ways to stop dogs from eating cat litter is to simply deny them access to the litter box. According to the AKC, “The easiest way to prevent your dog from eating cat poop, according to veterinarians, is to place the cat litter box in a spot where your dog can’t access it.” (source)
Some good ways to make the litter box inaccessible include:
- Keep it in a closet or bathroom and keep the door closed.
- Place it up high where dogs can’t reach.
- Use baby gates in doorways to block access.
Baby gates can be especially useful for keeping dogs out of whatever room the litter box is kept in. Look for tall, sturdy gates that your dog won’t be able to jump over or squeeze through. Be sure to introduce the gates gradually along with positive reinforcement training so your dog accepts them.
By physically preventing your dog from getting to the litter box, you remove the temptation entirely. Just be sure litter box is still easily accessible for your cat.
Alternatives
If your dog continues to eat cat litter even after addressing potential causes, there are safer alternatives to traditional cat litter that may curb this behavior. According to Pet Resort, some dog-friendly cat litter options include:
- Paper litter made from recycled paper or cardboard
- Corn litter made from biodegradable corn kernels
- Wheat litter made from wheat straw or bran
- Coconut litter made from the shredded husks and fibers
- Wood shavings or pellets
Products specifically marketed as “dog litter” may also be safer, as they are designed to be edible. Dog owners on Reddit have reported success using pellet litter made for rabbits as an emergency alternative when dog litter runs out, as the pellets are a comparable size.
In addition to safer litter, providing interactive toys that challenge your dog mentally and physically can help curb boredom and deter litter eating behaviors when unsupervised.
Training
One of the most effective ways to stop your dog from eating cat poop is through training and positive reinforcement. When you catch your dog going near or showing interest in the litter box, immediately redirect their attention by calling their name and asking them to come to you. Reward them with praise and treats when they listen. This helps reinforce that staying away from the litter box is a desired behavior.
It’s also helpful to redirect your dog’s natural scavenging instincts towards more appropriate outlets. Provide them with a selection of safe, enticing chew toys and make sure they have enough mental and physical stimulation. When you see them chewing a toy instead of bothering the litter box, reward them again with praise and a treat.
With continued training, most dogs will learn to ignore the litter box. The key is being consistent and rewarding them for making good choices. Proper training helps satisfy their needs in a more suitable way.
Addressing Causes
One of the most effective ways to stop dogs from eating cat litter is to address the underlying causes behind the behavior. More play time, walks, training, and enrichment can help curb boredom and stress that may lead dogs to eat cat feces.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. Take them on longer walks, go to the dog park more often for off-leash play, and engage in more interactive games like fetch or hide-and-seek. Training sessions are also mentally stimulating and can strengthen the human-canine bond.
Providing food puzzles, chew toys, and rotating novel toys can also prevent boredom by giving dogs an appropriate outlet for their energy. Additionally, creating a predictable routine with regular feeding times, potty breaks, and obedience training helps reduce stress.
If your dog lacks enrichment or exhibits stress behaviors, they may turn to the litter box for sensory stimulation. Fulfilling their needs with appropriate activities can curb this behavior. Make sure to reward and reinforce wanted behaviors too.
Conclusion
In summary, dogs may eat cat litter for several reasons, including nutritional deficiencies, boredom, medical conditions, or simply the allure of the smell and texture. While cat litter itself is generally not toxic to dogs, clumping clay litter can be dangerous if ingested, as it may cause blockages or dehydration. Eating feces from the litterbox also poses risks of parasites and illness. Prevent access to the litterbox, provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation for your dog, and address any potential nutritional or medical issues. If your dog eats cat litter, especially clumping varieties, take them to the vet right away to assess for any problems and get treatment if needed. Avoid scolding or punishing them, and instead focus on addressing the root cause of the behavior.