dog eating cat poo

[Firiffic]

Does anyone have any ideas how I can stop one of my dogs scooping out and eating our new kitten's poo from the kitty litter tray in the bathroom? It is driving me crazy as she leaves it lying around the house as well which is how I know which dog is the problem. I have tried catching her at it so I can reprimand but have only caught her the once. She is VERY sneaky always.

[adygolding]

hi i am having a similar problem but my pup is eating her own mess(the vet did tell me that cat poo is much more likeable and if she sees this she will prob eat this as well. i have tried everything my last option is when the cat has been to sprinkle some chilli powder over it i am trying this option at the moment il keep u posted hope this helps

[drgnrdr]

How big is the kitten? how big is the dog?alot of times I found that putting the tray somewhere where the dog can't go but the cat can jump up or squeeze thru a door or cabinet door is good, I have put the tray under the sink and put an eyebolt and hanger to lock the door into position, does wonders the dog could not get to it but the cat can push right in, or even a tray on top of a area they can jump up to it dog could not. One cat was okay with a hood on tray, so i put it in an area that the cat(flexible body) could get to the door that was facing a wall with 2 walls surrounding it, but dog couldn't get to it, and with the hood he can't just dine and dig right in.

And for adygolding: instead of sprinkling powder on it (since your there to sprinkle), scoop it instead. I'll give you a some info on how to train dog away from poo, but I'll have to split it on here.

[drgnrdr]

This is from:By Kathy Diamond Davis
Author and Trainer

People tend to be horrified to find their dog is eating feces from the cat litter box. One of the first questions they ask is whether this means the dog has a nutritional deficiency. Since the behavior is common even in the most well nourished dogs, the fact that they like the taste is a more likely reason. It's not a good idea to allow it to happen, and training is not a reliable option for a behavior that provides the dog with a "tasty treat"-tasty to the dog, that is.

What to Do

It is normal for dogs to eat cat feces wherever they can find it. If the dog had access to the litter box prior to this and never touched it, that might mean a change in behavior significant to a change in medical status. It could also mean, though, that the dog just didn't discover this doggie delicacy until recently.

Think about whether some change in the household may have made the cat litter box easier to get to--that could be your answer. For example, a cat might have previously intimidated the dog so much that the dog wasn't willing to brave the box. That cat may be less firm with the dog now, or perhaps the dog got through and got a taste, and now is harder for the cat to deter.

If you suspect a medical problem, and especially if the dog is showing any symptoms, of course see your veterinarian. All manner of medical problems can cause changes in eating behavior.

Whether there is a medical problem or not, you'll now need to place the litter box where it is physically impossible for the dog to get to it, but easy for the cat(s). For one thing, cats will often abandon using a litter box when a dog starts intruding. Most people will find this at least as serious a problem as a dog eating cat feces. (con't.)

[drgnrdr]

People arrange the litter box in various ways, depending on the relative sizes of their dogs and cats, as well as the agility of the cats. Sometimes placing the litter box higher than the dog can jump works well, if the cat is completely comfortable making the jump.

If the dog is larger than the cat, you can put the litter box behind an opening that the cat can fit through but the dog cannot. One idea is a baby gate set slightly above the floor so that a cat can scoot under it (or jump over). Of course it has to be high enough that the dog can't jump it. Sometimes that means stacking two baby gates, one above the other.

It's also possible to use a chain on a doorframe or doorknob, modified to the right length so the cat can slip through the opening but the dog cannot. Another variation is to use wire to make a latch that holds the door partially open. Whatever you devise, remember to make it feasible to take on and off to go in and out of the room.

Another arrangement is to put a box over the litter box with an opening at one end, and then put a bigger box over that one with an opening in the other end. The cat can go in one opening, through the "tunnel" between boxes to the other opening, and into the box. This method may not work with a small, audacious dog who will go through the maze, too! Remember that cats see well in the dark, so the darkness inside this contraption is not a problem.

Conclusion

Having a dog invade the litter box is not a cat's idea of reasonable privacy, and eating cat feces is not particularly good for the dog. The behavior is innately rewarding since the dog likes the taste, so you're unlikely to solve it with attempts at training. The safest and best solution is to simply rearrange the situation so the dog finds it physically impossible to get to the cat litter box.

Date Published: 7/5/2003 1:19:00 PM
Date Revised: 10/02/2003

[Firiffic]

Thank you for your information, it is very helpful. My dogs are brother and sister but we didn't get Emma till she was about a year old. They are 8 1/2 years old. We think the kitten is about 14 weeks old (he walked out into an intersection along a railway line in front of our car and was never claimed so we are just guessing that he was 7 or 8 weeks old at the time). It looks like he's going to be a big cat so I might be able to put the tray up out of reach now that he's a bit bigger.

[Firiffic]

We just need to solve the problem of the kitten trying to get the budgie! hee hee