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Do you live in a multi-pet household? Do you have a curious dog and a snotty cat? Oh, I'm sure this has happened once or twice.
Dogs eating weird (and gross) things happen more than we care to admit. Diapers, plastic, insects… name it!
The scary part is: eating cat poop can expose dogs to dangerous parasites and bacteria.
So if you're wondering can dogs get sick from eating cat poop? The short answer is yes.
In this article, let’s explore the answers behind how, why, and what you can do about it.
Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?
There are plenty of reasons why dogs eat what they eat. It could be part of their instinct, curiosity, behavioral problems, or nutritional deficiency.
Natural Instinct
Dogs are natural scavengers. They get this instinct from their predecessors and relatives (aka wolves!).
They will literally eat anything interesting they can find.
Coprophagia (poop-eating) is normal animal behavior, especially in puppies.
And, for some reason, cat poop looks and smells good to them (Ugh, I know!)
They may also be attracted to the high protein content in cat feces, which is due to cats’ usually meat-rich diets.
Behavior Problem
It's also possible that your dog is bored or stressed.
Dogs do unusual things for humans when they have difficulty dealing with certain problems, like being left alone for hours.
Some dogs also eat cat poop to seek attention. It can be a learned behavior where they know their owners will pick them up and pay them mind when they do something dirty.
RELATED: 10 Ways to Relieve Boredom in Dogs
Nutritional Deficiencies
Dogs who lack the nutrients they need will turn to unusual food sources, like cat poop.
One possible cause of coprophagia is the lack of digestive enzymes when they only eat highly processed food or a poor-quality diet.
RELATED: Do You Know Your Dog's Nutritional Needs?
Can Dogs Get Sick from Eating Cat Poop?
Absolutely, yes, especially if they pick up the poop from the litter box of a cat who often go outdoors!
Poops are our bodies' expelled solid wastes, and they consists of undigested food, bacteria, and other wastes products.
Some of the possible health issues your dog can get are:
Health Risks When a Dog Ate Cat Poop
Toxoplasmosis
This is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which humans and dogs can get from undercooked meat and cat feces.
Toxoplasmosis mainly affects the nervous and respiratory systems and can be especially dangerous for puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems.
Even if you don't have cats, you should still be aware of this parasitic infection, especially if you feed your dog a raw diet.
This can be cured with a combination of medications and supportive care and has a good prognosis.
RELATED: Let's Talk: Raw Dog Food Diet: Dietary Concerns, Benefits, and Risks
Campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis
The campylobacter and salmonella bacteria are only some of the possible bacteria your dog can get from eating cat poop, but they're among the most notorious.
Both campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis can cause severe diarrhea in dogs, along with abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, and fever.
You'll notice their poop either watery or with mucus (sometimes with blood). These types of infections are especially dangerous for puppies.
Symptom management and supportive care are necessary to treat these infections. It's also important to ensure your pup is always hydrated!
Intestinal Parasites
Not surprisingly, they can also get a host of other intestinal parasites when a dog ate cat poop.
Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are some of the nasty stuff you must look out for.
Your vet will prescribe dewormers to kill these parasites, and depending on the severity of the infestation, treatment can last several weeks.
Coccidia and Giardia are other single-celled parasites that can cause gastrointestinal infection in dogs who eat cat poop.
A combination of medication and supportive care is necessary to treat coccidiosis and giardiasis in dogs.
RELATED: 4 Common Types of Worms in Dog Poop
Intestinal Blockage
If your dog ate cat poop from the litter box, you would also have to worry about the litter, especially if it's the clumping kind.
A clumping cat litter like this absorbs moisture or liquid waste and solidifies it into clumps, making cleaning up after a cat easier.
While litter is generally non-toxic to pets, it's still possible to create a big problem if your dog eats too much.
It can cause severe intestinal blockage and other serious issues that may require immediate veterinary attention.
Signs Your Dog May Be Sick After Eating Cat Poop
If your dog has eaten cat poop, you should monitor them for up to 72 hours to see if any worrying signs or symptoms comes up.
You should watch out for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing
- Excessive drooling or licking of the lips
- Scooting or anal irritation
- Abdominal discomfort
- Obvious worms or mucus in their poop
If any signs persist or worsen after a few days, contact your vet immediately.
Early detection and treatment are important to prevent more serious complications from occurring.
RELATED: 25 Dog Health Symptoms That You Must Address Right Away
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Cat Poop
Apart from monitoring the symptoms, you can also do these immediate steps if you suspect or catch your dog in the act of eating cat poop:
- Don’t panic. Many cases are harmless, but stay observant.
- Clean your dog’s mouth gently with a damp cloth or wet wipes. You can also offer them water to drink or rinse their mouth.
- Remove access to the litter box or outdoor area where it happened.
- Call your vet if you see any of the above signs, especially if your dog is a puppy, a senior, or immunocompromised.
If your cat is known to go outdoors often, it makes them all the more likely to be carriers of parasites and bacteria.
Which means your pup who ate their poop could be at a higher risk for toxoplasmosis and other infections.
Don't forget to mention this to your vet so they can plan the treatment accordingly.
How to Prevent Dogs from Eating Cat Poop
It's impossible to monitor our dogs and cats 24/7.
But what you can do is remove the temptation to prevent your dog from eating more of your cat's poop.
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Use covered or top-entry litter boxes like this to prevent your dog from sneaking in for a snack. - Place the litter boxes in gated or high-up areas your dog can’t reach.
- Clean the litter box frequently to reduce temptation.
- Use baby gates to limit your dog's access to where your cat dens. You can also use cat doors to give your cats private access.
- Train your dog to “leave it” and redirect behavior with toys or mental stimulation.
RELATED: 25 Best Dog Training Books
1. Is cat litter dangerous for dogs, too?
Cat litter is not dangerous to dogs in itself. If they eat a little, it can cause stomach upset, which is manageable.
However, if they ate a lot, that's when problems can happen.
Clumping litter can swell inside your dog's gut and cause blockage. Silica-based or scented ones can also cause digestive irritation.
If this is the case, you must consult your vet immediately.
2. Is eating cat poop a sign of illness in dogs?
Not always.
Sometimes, it's just a part of their odd eating habits, like eating dirt or garbage.
It could also be just out of boredom or anxiety, nothing that a good, ol' toy can't fix.
However, it's possible that your dog eating cat poop can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies or digestive issues, which you'd want to have checked by a veterinarian.
3. Should I deworm my dog immediately if they’ve eaten cat poop?
It's best to consult your vet first before giving your dog anything.
Depending on your dog's health and risk level, they may recommend deworming or a fecal exam, but it's important to do these at the proper time.
RELATED: Dog Deworming Schedule
Can Dogs Get Sick from Eating Cat Poop: Before You Go…
Yes, dogs can get sick from eating cat poop—from bacteria, parasites, and even cat litter. While the behavior is common, it’s also risky (not to mention gross!)
It's best to take measures to prevent your curious pup from venturing into your cat's litter box. Training will also go a long way to stop your pup from behaving naughtily.
Has something similar happened with your dog? Please share with us what happened in the comments section.
You can also read more of our related and recommended articles linked below!
Related Articles
- My Dog Ate Cat Food: Why Is It Harmful?
- 16 Signs Your Dog Ate Something Bad
- My Dog Ate a Fly: Is My Dog In Danger?
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