Three Qustions about what should I do about my dog?

[trt]

She is a cross terrier about 8 months old.

1, She loves the leather/hide bones and can demolish them in about 3/4 days but it can become expensive, would she be ok to have the bones from the butchers?

2, She loves the almond nuts I give her for treats, are they OK for her to eat?

3, And most important to me, she has started to eat her own poo as soon as she has pooed.

Sorry for so many questions, but any advice would be welcome, thanks.

[vallaw]

Raw butcher marrow bones are great - nothing that can splinter
Nuts are fine
Eating poo suggests she has worms - get treatment for that

[trt]

Thanks vallaw, will get some worming tablets tomorrow at pets at home.

[fredkins]

My Border terrier pup at the time used to eat anything that smelled nice,she would eat her poo.cats poo,lick the bubblebath suds off our legs it was a nightmare.The vet said it was just a puppy faze and it would eventually stop,he never once mentioned worms.She would even lick my sons hair after been washed when he lay down on the bed.She did stop.

[Ratty2E]

Poo eating is revolting to us humans but lots of dogs do it and according to my vet it isn't necessarily because they have worms it's just something some dogs do. Giving a cube of pineapple with every meal is supposed to help in some cases as the enzymes in the pineapple change in the gut and it comes out the other end tasting disgusting, even to dogs. You should be careful with nuts, here is a list of things to avoid http://www.petalia.co...cess.cfm?story_no=257
Uncooked marrowbones from the butcher are fine and good for their teeth and general health.

[jules77]

hmmm, I wouldnt let her eat almond nuts, they are hard to digest and could cause gastro problems. Marrow bones from the butchers are fine, but not every day as there is a fair amount of fat in the marrow, once a week would be sufficient to keep her teeth clean and healthy. Another reason for eating poo is she may not be absorbing enough nutrients from her food, what is she fed on? She could grow out of it, and I would agree with trying the pineapple method. Although I would get her checked out by a vet if you are worried, and buy some good worming tablets.

[divegirl]

I have never heard of a dog eating it's own poo because of worms [do you have a link to that vallaw?]

Could be be that if you are feeding her nuts, which I agree with Jules will be hard for her to digest, she is finding them in her poo and that what's makes it so tasty!
If you know she is eating it as soon as she does it you are obviously watching her so get in there first and pick it up before she has the chance!

Bones from the butchers are great for their teeth but make sure not to leave them out in the garden as flies will lay their eggs on them!
Try her with a 10'' [Great Dane sized] hide....will keep her going forever!

Lisa x

[Purple_Popple]

All dogs, especially puppies will and often do eat other dogs poo, including their own given half a chance, cat/badger/fox poo is a special delicacy !! Nothing to worry about, doesnt mean they have worms, but most do grown out of it, just be vigilant and try to spot the poo before she does lol. I would not advise feeding nuts. Just give some cheese as an occasional treat, very good for them and their teeth. Have you bought the hide chews in bulk at all ? Cheaper from the market, not a pet store....they shouldnt be that expensive, or buy the larger ones which will take her longer to get through, as already advised though try the boiled smoked bones, some have a cheesy meaty filling which will certainly keep her occupied..good luck.

[Kleiber]

Further to all the previous posts, Copraphagia (as poo-eating is called) is quite common. I don't know, but in my experience, bitches do it more than male dogs (??). My dear old (now departed) GSD, Elsa, did it all her life and it didn't do her any harm. It sounds disgusting to us mere humans, but as Ratty & Jules said (and this is endorsed by vets), all the nutrients eaten aren't absorbed in the first digestion and often a dog will eat its poo to try & recoup some of these nutrients. Look on the bright side - at least you don't have to clean up after her! (sorry) It's nothing to worry about. I wouldn't give her almonds, either, but you could her one of those Kongs and stuff it with peanut butter - my collie pup loves it and it keeps her occupied for ages.

[Carakeel]

trt, we have three Irish Wolfhounds and a little Shih-Tzu. They all get bones regularly, but they get meaty lamb bones from the butchers, which are of course fed raw. They also occasionally get uncooked marow bones, but I do find they get bored with them, once they have had the marrow out. Please never feed cooked bones though, as these are more prone to splinter and can end up causing a pain for your puppy and a hefty vets bill for you. Hugs to you puppy!

[Carakeel]

As for the almond nuts, no, these are not suitable for your dog.

[Carakeel]

ooops, it didn't let me finish what I was typing, sorry. Almonds are not easily digestable and can cause choking in puppies as well as adult dogs.