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Lizette

Nina has been eating her poop and I want to know if that is normal , she does eat her food very well

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Nina
Dog, Mixed
3 months, Female
Issue details
Main concern
Behavior
Others
Eating her waste
Multiple times a day
Duration
4 day(s)
Ongoing
Other issues
Teeth
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Dr. Windom
Dr.Tail Vet

It's quite common for puppies like Nina to engage in a behavior known as coprophagia, where they eat their own waste. This can stem from curiosity, a habit they've developed, or sometimes nutritional deficiencies. However, since Nina is eating her food well, it's less likely that her behavior is due to a nutritional issue. There are several strategies you can try to discourage this behavior.

Firstly, it's important to clean up her waste immediately to remove any temptation. Keeping her environment clean can be a simple yet effective step. Additionally, providing plenty of toys and engaging activities can help distract her from this habit. Ensuring her diet is well-balanced is also crucial. Occasionally, adding a small amount of pineapple or pumpkin to her meals can make her waste less appealing to her.

Positive reinforcement can be very helpful as well. Reward her when she ignores her waste and focuses on other activities. Since Nina is also experiencing teething issues, make sure she has appropriate chew toys to satisfy her need to chew, which might also help reduce this behavior.

If you find that the behavior persists or notice any changes in her health, it would be wise to discuss this with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying issues. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. Thank you.