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Coprophagia

Maltese Coprophagia

Overview

Coprophagia refers to the ingestion of feces. This is not uncommon with dogs, though it is a behavior that should be addressed right away. A Maltese may be eating their own poop and/or that of another animal. It is a disturbing habit for a number of reasons including hygiene-related issues and possible health risks.

This article will cover everything you need to know about this behavior including why dogs do this and the fastest ways to stop a Maltese from eating poop. 

Risks of Coprophagia

The most common reason pet parents want to stop their dog from eating poop is the overall ‘ick factor’ of a habit considered repulsive and unsanitary. And, that is certainly reason enough. However, there are also other concerns.

Of top priority, is the possibility of a nutrient deficiency; if a Maltese is seeking out feces as a food source, is something missing from their diet? Is the dog hungry despite eating meals and snacks.? This is addressed ahead. 

There are also health risks. When a dog eats their own poop, this can lead to upset stomach or intestinal distress. In addition, any dog being treated for worms may re-infect themselves via ingesting eggs found in feces during the ‘shedding’ process. 

If a Maltese eats feces from other dogs, there is the risk of contracting parasites including roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, hookworms and disease including campylobacter, coronavirus, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, parvovirus, and salmonella.  

And, eating cat poop brings about the same risks of contracting parasites, as well as clostridium, salmonella, and campylobacter.

For these reasons, it is advisable to address any level of coprophagia as soon as you become aware of it.  

Possible Reasons Why a Maltese Would Eat Poop

Not all canine behaviors have been figured out, and coprophagia is one of them. Animal behaviorists and other experts can merely take educated guesses. The top 5 reasons most commonly attributed to canine coprophagia are:

1. Nutritional deficiencies, most often linked with fillers. 

Fillers are inexpensive ingredients added to subpar dog food to ‘plump’ it up. Corn, cereal by-products, rice bran, and oat hulls are some of these. They have very little to no nutritional value. So, if a Maltese eats a meal that contains fillers, they feel full afterward, as the dog food manufacturer intended.  

But, since there is nothing there for the body to digest, these pass through very quickly. This can cause a dog to feel hungry soon after eating. And, since these ingredients are not digested, they remain in the stools. A hungry Maltese may then snack on their own poop due to it being perceived as a food source, leading to a continuous cycle.  

2. Stress. 

Some theories suggest that dogs may resort to pica (eating non-food items) when overly stressed. This can include chronic stress-induced coprophagia that may occur alongside separation anxiety. Or it can be linked to acute stress that can develop alongside sudden changes such as moving to a new home or with the addition of a new family member. 
3. Boredom. 

Dogs that are chronically bored may resort to all sorts of behaviors including excessive barking, destructive chewing, and you guessed it, coprophagia. 

4. Unintentional owner reinforcement of behavior. 

For Maltese that really crave attention, the hubbub that happens when the dog eats poop (humans rush all around, voices are fast and high-pitched, the dog is inspected, etc.) may send the message that playing with or eating their poop brings about lots of interaction. 

5. Less common but possible are certain health issues. 

This includes parasitic infections, enzyme deficiency, and intestinal malabsorption. 

Top 10 Ways to Stop a Maltese From Eating Feces

Whether your Maltese eats their own poop, that of another pet (dog or cat), or nibbles at feces outside that may belong to other dogs or wildlife, there are steps you can take to greatly reduce or outright stop this sort of behavior. The said, it does take some work and in most cases your level of success will depend on how much effort and attention you give this. 
#1 Offer filler-free food.  
Offering filler-free nutrient-dense food will help assure that your Maltese will be satiated after meals which can greatly cut down on coprophagia since a dog that feels full won’t be prone to eating anything, including poop.

Some very recognizable dog food brands are the worst offenders when it comes to fillers. For example, with Royal Canin Small Breed, the #1 ingredient is corn. And with Hill's Science Diet Adult Small and Toy Breed, the #2 through #5 ingredients are brewers rice, whole grain wheat, soybean meal, and whole grain sorghum (a cheap grain that is mainly starch).

If you are looking for an excellent kibble for your Maltese that has some healthy grains, Halo Natural Small Breed Chicken & Liver Recipe is a great choice. This is a holistic, organic recipe with whole chicken and chicken liver, nourishing grains, and non-GMO vegetables and fruits. This has no fillers, and also no by-products or artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavoring. 
And, if you wish to offer a grain-free kibble, one of our recommendations is Wellness CORE for Small Breeds. This is a top-quality brand with zero fillers, and no by-products, artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavoring. This also has added extras like excellent levels of omega-3 fatty acid via salmon and glucosamine and chondroitin. 
#2 Clean up feces in your yard. 
Using something like the environmentally-friendly Biodegradable Poop Bags by Doggy Do Good that clips right onto your dog’s leash makes it easy to pick up poop immediately after your Maltese does their business. 
Or, you may prefer to use a ‘pooper scooper’ like the Bodhi Dog's Complete Poo Pack Pooper Scooper which allows you to pick up feces without bending down and can handle everything from your Maltese’s tiny stools to large piles left by other dogs.   

Even if you’re keeping up with your own dog’s feces, routinely check the property for any that may have been left by other dogs or wildlife.
#3 Supervise your Maltese.
Small dogs like the Maltese should not be let outside alone. It’s dangerous for many reasons (dogs jumping over the fence, wild animal attack, risk of escape, ingestion of poisonous plants, bugs, or toads, etc.) and of course you won’t be right there to step in if they start to eat feces.  
#4 Use an adjustable leash and harness combo.
When you take your Maltese outside for bathroom needs, walks, or other reasons, use an adjustable leash like the Peteast Retractable Leash for Small Breeds. This allows you to keep your Maltese right by your side when needed and is ideal when you want your dog to heel (stay by your immediate left).  
And, have your Maltese wearing a harness like the Puppia Soft B Harness Vest.This sort of harness allows you to be in charge and able to quickly steer your puppy or dog from feces without placing pressure on the neck since this distributes pressure over the chest, back, and shoulders. 
#5 React quickly and appropriately. 
Though poop in your yard will be very limited via tip #2 and your Maltese will be right by your side via tips #3 and #4, maintain situational awareness when taking your Maltese for walks, when out at dog parks, etc. 

Steer your dog clear of poop as soon as you spot any. If you do get close and your Maltese tries to mouth any feces, immediately tug your little guy or gal away (it is safe to do so when using a harness), give a calm yet firm ‘No’, and lead your little guy or gal away. 
# 6 Give positive reinforcement. 
If coprophagia urges are very strong, reinforce good behavior by keeping some training treats like Full Moon Organic Training Treats in your pocket within a zipped sandwich bag and doling them out, along with praise (Good dog, good job), whenever your Maltese resists trying to eat any feces. 
#7 Address any separation anxiety concerns.
If your Maltese eats their own poop while you are away from home, stress could be a contributing factor. There are several things you can do to help including leaving on pleasant background music, leaving on lights, and providing a safe and secure ‘den’ via an indoor playpen like the IRIS 4-Panel Pet Playpen with a Door along with a cozy dog bed.
Treat-release toys like the Busy Buddy Barnacle Toy can keep a dog busy, as well as squeakers and interactive toys that respond to touch.  
And, a companion toy like the SmartPet Snuggle Puppy which mimics a living dog via a rhythmic heartbeat and body warmth can provide a lot of comfort. 

Think about hiring a dog walker that can come at the halfway mark which allows your Maltese to be able to release pent-up energy via a walk as well as have an outdoor bathroom opportunity or enrolling your little guy or gal in doggie daycare for at least some of the days that you're not there. 
#8 If your Maltese eats cat poop, limit access. 
Since cats can climb and dogs cannot, keep the little box where your Maltese cannot reach it. Many pet parents find that the top of the washing machine or clothes dryer is a good spot.
#9 Consider using an anti-coprophagia supplement. 
First, let's note a couple that do not work and are not recommended. 

Steer clear of hot sauce. The theory behind this is that an owner pours this over feces to shock a dog during any future attempts to eat the poop. This can cause upset stomach, burns to the mouth, and really startle a dog and for these reasons it can be considered unethical. It is much more effective to remove the feces as soon as they are deposited (see previous tip #2). 

Pumpkin is sometimes suggested; however, while this can work very well to help resolve acute minor to moderate diarrhea or constipation, there is not much supporting evidence that it has any affect on coprophagia. 
Now, on to some that may work, at least to varying degrees. 

These tend to be hit or miss; they work great for some dogs but have zero effect for others. 

One method that some pet parents have found to work is to add crushed fresh pineapple to meals. Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids in the absorption of protein and helps with digestion, thus potentially decreasing a dog’s urges to seek other food sources. Serving size is generally 1 tablespoon per meal for a puppy and 2 tablespoons per meal for an adult.

There are also prozyme powder supplements like Lambert Kay Prozyme Powder for Pets which can aid in helping a dog to digest fats, protein, fiber, and carbohydrates to maximize the nutrition from food, which can potentially decrease urges to seek other food sources.
Another type of aid is a deterrent that is designed to taste good as it’s ingested but makes feces taste horrible. Most of these are poorly rated by pet parents but one that seems to work well, at least for some dogs, is NaturVet Coprophagia Deterrent Soft Chews which is a plant-based chew. 
#10 Have health issues ruled out.
If attempts to stop coprophagia are not successful or if you suspect any health issues that are linked to coprophagia, it is imperative to have your Maltese examined by the veterinarian. 

Though there are other health issues that have coprophagia as a symptom, the 3 most common are:
  1. Parasitic infections (worms). Other signs may include lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss even when eating normally, distended abdomen, and/or signs of worms in the stools. 
  2. Enzyme deficiency. Other signs may include diarrhea, weight loss even when eating normally, large stools, and/or flatulence. 
  3. Intestinal malabsorption. Other signs may include lethargy, attempts to ingest other non-food items, weight loss even when eating normally, frequent stools with a strong odor and oily appearance, flatulence, and/or poor coat health. 
Treatment for these or other possible health issues varies. 

A Final Word

When a dog eats feces, this is often referred to as a habit, but also needs to be looked at as a behavior that can manifest from a concerning cause. So, never ignore this. Addressing the possible reasons for your Maltese’s coprophagia can often lead to improve health and well-being.
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