Why do dogs eat rabbit poop?
Eating rabbit poop is, surprisingly, normal dog behavior. Curiosity and hunger all play a part, but eating rabbit poop excessively could be a sign of a more serious problem, like a nutrient deficiency or pica. It’s best to monitor your dog’s behavior the moment you notice them eating rabbit poop and do your best to get them to stop. In most cases, poop eating behavior will stop in puppies when they’re around nine months old as their curiosity will fade with age.
Is it safe for dogs to eat rabbit poop?
A few bites here and there won’t hurt them. However, it’s better to keep them away from any droppings just to be safe. Rabbit poop can contain parasites, viruses, and toxins. While having a few nibbles won’t necessarily hurt them, it can be a health risk. Monitor your pup’s behavior after they’ve eaten rabbit poop. If they start getting sick or behaving oddly, bring them to the vet.
How to Stop Dogs from Eating Rabbit Poop
Supervise your dog when they’re outside. If you notice them chomping down on something in the grass, give a “leave it” or “come” command. This will draw your dog away from the rabbit poop and give you the chance to focus their attention on something else, like a chew toy or game of fetch. Reward your pup with a treat or praise if they come to you right away. This will reinforce that moving away from the rabbit poop is good behavior. Try to avoid repeating a command over and over again, as this will tell your dog that they don’t have to listen right away.
Teach your dog the “drop it” command. When trained correctly, this command will cue your dog to drop whatever’s in their mouth, no matter how delicious they may think it is. The more often you say “drop it” when you notice them eating rabbit poop, the more likely they are to stay away from it—they want to be “good” after all! Follow these steps to teach “drop it”: Give your dog a toy and let them play with it for a few moments. Put a high-value treat in front of their nose. Praise them when they drop the toy and give them the treat. Hide the toy behind your back while they’re eating. Give them back the toy when they’re done and repeat. Add saying “drop it” when you show the treat once they start dropping the toy right away.
Train your dog to “leave it.” If you see your pup itching closer and closer to a pile of rabbit poop, say, “leave it.” This will teach them that they shouldn't play with rabbit poop. Follow these steps to train your dog to “leave it”: Place a low-value treat in your hand and hold it out to your dog. Close your hand into a fist when they try to eat the treat. Reward them with a high-value treat once they ignore your closed hand. Switch the hand the low-value treat is in, and continue rewarding with a high-value treat when your dog ignores the low-value treat. Say “leave it” when they start ignoring the treat when your hand is open. Put the low-value treat on the ground and say “leave it” once they can ignore the treat in both hands.
Play with your dog when they’re outside. One of the main reasons dogs eat rabbit poop is curiosity. Try focusing their attention and curious-mind on something they won’t eat, like a tennis ball, a game of hide and seek, or a chew toy. Giving your dog something else to chew on or a treat they can eat will fulfill their curiosity.
Improve your dog’s diet. Most dogs eat rabbit poop because they’re hungry and, in more serious cases, are in a nutrient deficit. Try switching up your dog’s food for something rich in proteins, fats, and minerals, or consider adding vitamins or supplements to your dog’s routine. Dog multivitamins can help your pup get all the vitamins they need. Supplements that contain the enzyme papain may help your dog’s digestive system break down nutrients.
Deter your dog with a taste-aversion spray. Surprisingly, dogs enjoy the taste of rabbit poop. The smell might pique their curiosity, and they're gulping it all down before you know it. Taste-aversion sprays are designed to make that once delectable smell and taste atrocious. Add a few spritzes to a pile of rabbit poop, so your dog will be disgusted the next time they go for a nibble. Taste-aversion products are not a one-stop fix. They may not deter some dogs, so keep a watchful eye to see how your pup reacts.
See a vet if your dog experiences vomiting or diarrhea after eating poop. When a dog eats rabbit poop, there’s a strong chance they’re ingesting parasites, viruses, or toxins which can cause gastrointestinal problems. Pica is a medical or behavioral disorder where dogs ingest non-food items. If your pup keeps trying to eat rabbit poop no matter how you deter them, there may be an underlying problem only a vet can diagnose. Eating rabbit poop could be because of pica or the reason for it. If your dog is acting differently in any way, it’s better to get them checked out sooner rather than later.
How can I prevent rabbits from pooping in my yard?
Fence in your yard and plant rabbit deterring plants to keep rabbits away. Chicken wire fencing that’s at least 4 feet (1.2 m) high and 6 inches (15 cm) deep can help lock rabbits out. You can also try raking away leaves and filling in holes and burrows to let rabbits know that your yard isn’t a safe place to live or hide. Lastly, plant butterfly bushes, peonies, or geraniums around your yard to up the curb appeal and keep rabbits from hopping about.
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