Keeping your Pom Healthy, Pomeranian Training

Why Is My Pomeranian Eating His Poop?

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Last Updated on 10/06/2022 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on June 10, 2022.

Have you found your Pomeranian eating poop? Pomeranians are very cute and adorable in every way. So it can be upsetting when we see that our Pomeranian puppy is eating his own poop.

This is frustrating for owners and it may cause your Pomeranian to pick up bacteria and parasites that can cause diarrhea and other health problems.

This behavior is often embarrassing for people who own Pomeranians and it’s also extremely bad for a dog’s health.

Dogs eat poop for many reasons. Let’s look at all this in greater detail so you’ll know what to do if this happens to your dog.

Why is My Pomeranian Eating His Poop?

Dogs eat feces and Pomeranian puppies that eat their poop do it for many reasons. Owners need to find out why their puppy eats poop and make an action plan to stop the puppy from eating their own poop.

Your pet might be eating low-quality commercial food containing lots of indigestible “fillers.” This causes lots of poop and it smells exactly the same as the dog food your pet has consumed.

You’ll know whether commercial food is good or bad by the consistency and amount of poop your dog produces. I would recommend changing to a healthier diet. One of the most common reasons why a dog may eat his poop or that of other dogs is because his food is missing essential nutrients.

If your dog’s body craves something specific, his canine instincts will make him eat it, wherever he can find it, including in poop.

Your first course of action is to analyze what you’re feeding your dog for his meals and snacks. Some of the manufactured foods are ok to eat but many contain these bad fillers.

Other reasons for a puppy eating his own poop includes boredom and stress. Boredom and stress can cause puppies to eat their poop.

If a puppy is left alone for an extended period of time, he may pass the time by playing with and eating his own stools.

Puppies and adult dogs are prone to eating their own feces when they are stressed. This might be due to stress from being moved into a new house or any number of other factors. Punishing your puppy for eating his feces will just add to his stress level.

Why is my Pomeranian eating his poop?
Why is my Pomeranian eating his poop?

What Exactly are Fillers?

Fillers are ingredients that manufacturers add to dog food to make it bulkier. This is done to give the appearance of more food than there really is. It “fluffs” the food up so it looks like a lot of food when the fillers have no nutrients or calories at all.

If your Pom eats these foods regularly, he may still feel hungry and he’ll eventually be deficient in various vitamins and minerals. If you need to use manufactured food, it’s a wise move to also feed your beloved dog the best vitamin and mineral supplement you can buy to help balance out his diet and keep him healthy. Your other choice is to make food for your dog at home.

This is the only guaranteed way you’ll know that your pet is getting healthy, wholesome, fresh food for his meals and snacks. Another benefit is that Pomeranians love homemade food.

Owners often find that making the food themselves solves any problems with the dog being a picky eater and will stop him from eating poop while he’s outside.

Why is my Pomeranian eating his poop?
Why is my Pomeranian eating his poop?

Another Reason For Puppies That Eat Their Poop

One of the most common reasons why a dog may eat his poop or that of other dogs is because his food is missing essential nutrients. If your dog’s body craves something specific, his canine instincts will make him eat it, wherever he can find it, including in poop.

Your first course of action is to analyze what you’re feeding your dog for his meals and snacks. Some of the manufactured foods are ok to eat but many contain these bad fillers.

The Third Reason A Pomeranian Eats Poop

The answer is that it may simply be curious and that can become a habit. Some owners claim their dog eats virtually anything. Some dogs will sniff and taste most things so they can work out what it is if it is edible and whether they do or don’t like their taste.

It’s difficult to consider a dog that enjoys the taste of feces. However, it can depend on what foods are digested and then expelled.

If your dog is eating poop, there has to be something in it that he likes or he wouldn’t do it. If a Pom eats poop once and isn’t taught that he shouldn’t do so, he may keep looking for poop and eating it.

You have to remember that if a wrong behavior isn’t corrected, your dog will simply assume it’s ok and he’s allowed to do it.

The Fourth Reason a Pomeranian Will Eat its Own Poop

The puppy trying to get your attention. If you’ve already gotten irritated with your puppy for this behavior, he or she may continue to do it just to gain your attention. Even if your reaction is negative, the puppy is just concerned with the fact that he is receiving additional attention from you.

Your puppy, on the other hand, may consume his stool in order to avoid negative attention. If you’ve been reacting angrily to his mishaps, he may retaliate by swallowing the evidence to successfully “hide” it.

How to Stop Puppies From Eating Their Own Poop

  • The most important thing to prevent puppies from eating their own poop is the timing of feeding. Older puppies ( over 4 months) can have restricted feed times, so they must poop when you are there and you have an opportunity to quickly clean up. Remove the kibble at night and during the day after feeding.
  • Another tip to stop a puppy from eating its own poop is to confine an older puppy to a crate at night, or when you must leave the puppy alone. After the puppy has had a meal and a poop the best timing here and use commonsense, small pups cannot be without food for long and lengthy periods in the crate will result in accidents.
  • When you house train your Pom, just pick one specific area. Then your dog can choose his exact spot. That spot must not be used for anything except for the bathroom area. It should never be used as an exercise or play area. Ensure your pet’s environment is kept clean.
  • After your Pomeranian has done his business, scoop it up and lead him away from that area. Watch him closely when you take him to parks and other places where other dogs play and walk.
  • Eating feces produced by other dogs may cause an infestation of worms. The moment you notice your Pom walking towards any feces, clap your hands loudly to get his attention. Then change his focus to something else and, when he complies, reward that good behavior.
  • If your yard has an open area where your Pomeranian can run around in, you must go outside first and collect any poop. Using a hose to spray water on any piles you find is the fastest way because the water helps it dissolve into the ground.
  • Feed your Pomeranian homemade food.

Make His Poop Taste Really Bad

The Following Products Can be Used to Stop Puppy Eating Feces:

What to put in dog food to stop eating poop?

  • If you add meat tenderizer to dog food, this can deter him from eating his feces.
  • Adding pineapple, pumpkin, or a stool deterrent supplement as other options.
  • Your vet can also give you medicine to make the poop taste very bitter.

It’s important to only use a single additive to avoid overbalancing your pet’s digestive system. Talk to your vet before trying anything because too much may cause other issues and some dogs could also be allergic to the certain additive

Why Does My Pomeranian Eat Poop
Why Does My Pomeranian Eat Poop

Final Thoughts

Make sure your dog has plenty of exercise and playtime.

If a dog is bored, it may damage property and develop unwanted behavioral patterns. Healthy Home Cooking for all Pomeranians is ONLY available here on #1 The Pomeranian Information Site as an eBook in  PDF format. 

Download and store on your computer, tablet, or phone and print a hard copy if required. Healthy Home Cooking for all Poms is a MUST have item for ALL Pomeranian Parents.

Please note: while I do discuss health, care, and behavioral issues, you should never use this information as a replacement for advice from qualified veterinarians, diagnoses, or recommended treatment regimes. If you have any worries about the health of your Pomeranian, your first contact should be your regular vet or, if you don’t yet have one, a vet that works locally. Never ignore or avoid treatment and advice from your vet because of a piece of information you have read on any website.

N.B. This article regarding Pomeranian health issues was written in consultation with our resident veterinarian.

Dr. Muqeet Mushtaq
DVM, University of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2019
MSc. (Hons.) (Animal Breeding & Genetics), University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 2021

Copyright Pomeranian.Org. All Rights Reserved.

References and Further Reading:
[1] Denise Leo “The Pomeranian Handbook”.

Why Pomeranian Puppy Eats Poo
Why Pomeranian Puppy Eats Poo

About

Denise Leo

Pomeranians are my passion, and I have shared my life with these darling little dogs for many decades. The creator and face behind this website is published author and Pomeranian breed authority Denise Leo of Dochlaggie Pomeranians.

Denise Leo
Denise Leo