Some of us are lucky enough to have both dogs and cats in our households. While this means we get to enjoy the company of both of these wonderful animals, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes you will find your dog in your cat’s litter box eating poop! If that’s the case, then you’re in the right place – we’ve got three simple ways to stop this below.
1. Prevent access to the litter box
If your dog can’t get to the litter box, then it can’t get to the poop! Sounds simple, right? You just have to prevent your dog from physically reaching the litter and what he thinks is a tasty (but is really a disgusting) snack. One thing to remember, however, is that whatever you do, your cat still needs to be able to access the litterbox.
Here are some ways to prevent your dog accessing your cat’s litterbox:
- Place the litter box off the ground, on a shelf or on top of a cabinet. Somewhere that you know your cat can get to, but your dog can’t!
- Place the litter box in an empty bathtub in the bathroom.
- Install a pet gate to the room where the litterbox is kept. Choose one where your cat can either enter through the gate’s pet flap, squeeze through the rails or jump over – and your dog cannot.
- Use a door latch that will keep the door open wide enough for your cat to slip through, while stopping your dog.
- Use a covered cat box. However not all cats will tolerate this and your dog may still find a way in, so your results may vary.
2. Clean the litter box regularly
If you make sure there is no poop in the litter box, then there will be no poop for your dog to eat! When you notice your cat has finished its business, then you should scoop the litter as quickly as possible. While this is ideal, it may not be practical for a lot of people with a busy schedule. Instead, checking and cleaning the litterbox at least once a day can still help. Not only that, your cat will be happier with a clean litter box and there will be less smells for you to deal with!
3. Train your dog
Training your canine with commands such as “leave it” means you can verbally stop your dog when you find its head in the litterbox. You will be able to command your dog to drop any poop from its mouth or to leave the poop if it gets close. With enough training your dog may also learn to keep away from the litterbox entirely. Using treats that are tastier (and healthier) than cat poop can help when you train your pooch.
Why do dogs eat cat poop?
Coprophagia is the practice of eating poop! Gross, isn’t it? According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) eating poop can be explained by a dietary deficiency – but in most cases it’s just your dog exploring and scavenging, which is their natural behavior. Another reason is that cat poop can still smell like cat food, which dogs also find tasty.
Is cat poop bad for dogs?
Animal feces can pass on parasites and bacteria, and it is something you want to avoid! Unknown to you, your cat may be carrying a parasite such as roundworms, which is a common intestinal parasite in both cats and dogs. Roundworm larvae and eggs spread through the stools, either through contact or ingestion.
If you’ve caught your dog eating poop on rare occasions, it may not cause major issues for them – however large enough quantities can bring about tummy upsets. Vomiting, diarrhea or even internal blockages can occur, which aren’t very pleasant at all!
