Dog poop in the house: why and what to do
Even the tallest dog can sometimes be n° 2 in the House. If this happens more often than usual, your furry friend could be in trouble. Disease, aging, and emotional problems may be to blame. But you should consider these reasons only if you know that the dog is accustomed to the house - in your own house.
If you take an adult and an accustomed dog into the House, accidents can happen to it at first. Several reasons:
- Stress
- New calendar
- Not knowing how to "ask" yourself out
The problem should disappear within a few weeks as the new pet gets used to family routines.
Maybe your dog isn't trained well enough. Whether you have an adult dog or a puppy, you need to teach them how to do their business outdoors. Create a daily routine, observe your dog as much as you can and ask someone to take him for a walk if you're about to leave.
When your adult dog starts pooping inside, it's time to explore a variety of causes.
Medical reasons
You should start by consulting your veterinarian, especially if your dog has loose stools or has diarrhea. This can be a sign of gastroenteritis when the stomach, small intestine or colon become inflamed. Possible causes include::
- Parasites such as nematodes, hookworms and Giardia
- Food intolerance or allergy
- Bacterium
- Virus
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Bowel cancer
There may be other medical reasons why your dog poops inside. So it never hurts to rule out these problems first.
Ageing
Have you noticed that your dog poops more in the house as you get older? You're not alone. Elderly dogs often suffer from fecal incontinence or a lack of intestinal control. Here's why:
They can't" like " like they used to. With age, they may need to go to the toilet more often. They can also lose strength from the muscles that keep poo inside their body.
They forget to go there. An older puppy may have a condition called canine cognitive dysfunction. In humans, it resembles Alzheimer's disease. They may have forgotten what to do while walking and gone inside to poop. Talk to your veterinarian or pet therapist about treatment options.
They have other health problems. The one that mainly affects older dogs is called canine degenerative myelopathy. It often starts with weakness in the hind limbs and can lead to urinary incontinence.
What can you do? Being at home can limit clutter by leaving your dog out more often. While you're away, hire someone to release them and keep them in an easy-to-clean part of the House.
Pain or arthritis. For them, it can be painful to take a poo position (a squat position can be uncomfortable for joint or muscle changes).
Separation anxiety
If your dog is stressed when you leave the house, he or she may have separation anxiety. Signs include scratching doors and windows, destructive chewing, shouting or scratching, and walking on a potty inside the House.
Different dogs have different reasons for such a panic reaction. Some are not used to being alone. Others cannot cope with a change in their daily routine. Whatever the reason, you can take steps to reduce the problem:
- Do not pay much attention to leaving or coming home.
- Talk to your veterinarian about over-the-counter sedatives.
- Ask your vet for prescription medication that soothes anxiety.
- Lock your dog in a room with windows and toys to limit destruction.
- Leave your dog some recently worn clothes. The smell can have a calming effect.
Fear of loud noises
When dogs are scared, they often pee or poop in the House. Loud noises from thunderclouds to rumblings and the CoD of fireworks are common triggers. While the sounds can't be muffled outside, you can teach a dog to be calmer when it hears loud noises.
Create a safe and happy space. For dogs, the safe space is usually dark and relatively small. It can be a wardrobe, a box or even under the bed. Encourage (but do not force) your dog to go when loud noises are heard. Offer treats or other rewards that combine this space with joyful things rather than scary sounds.
Give me some distractions. At the first signs of stress due to loud noises, give your dog a fun activity. Play "that" with a tennis ball, give a new squeaky toy or practice treats. Do not expect to get rid of all worries at the first attempt. The goal should be to delay fearful behaviors for longer each time.
If these problems and fixes don't apply to your dog, don't worry. Once your veterinarian has ruled out the medical causes of your dog's poo inside, a dog behavior specialist can help you get to the root of the problem and also help solve it.
One of the proudest moments in the life of dog parents is the joy you feel when you manage to potty train a new puppy. However, as your dog gets older, accidents can happen to him from time to time.
But what if your dog starts pooping in the house more than several times?
Such behaviour would certainly be abnormal for a pet dog. Let's look at some of the most common causes and what you can do about it.
Why is my dog pooping in the House?
If your dog continues to poop in the house, it is possible that it has health problems or that something has changed in his daily routine, diet or home environment, which is the cause of the accidents.
The first step is to rule out a medical cause, which includes an appointment with a veterinarian.
Intestinal parasite
Any illness that leads to inflammation of the dog's intestines or an increased sense of urgency can lead to an accident at home. Intestinal parasites (worms) are a common cause of gastrointestinal diseases in dogs.
Dogs may come into contact with parasites in the yard, in dog parks or in contact with other dogs or cats. These parasitic worms cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to diarrhea, blood and / or mucus in the stool.
Food intolerance / allergy
Food allergies or food intolerances can also cause gastrointestinal disorders in dogs. Although food allergies in dogs are relatively rare, 10-15% of dogs with a food allergy are diagnosed with signs of skin diseases and gastrointestinal diseases, usually in the form of liquid feces.
Common food allergies in dogs include beef, dairy, chicken, wheat and lamb. Food intolerances or allergies can cause your dog to poop more often, have loose but formed feces, as well as more gas and stomach sounds.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety has become a more common problem for some dogs, especially if the frequency with which often they are at home has changed. If your dog is used to spending most of the day with him at home, then the schedule changes and you are away for an extended period of time, this can be frustrating for your dog.
Dogs with separation anxiety usually get nervous or anxious when preparing to leave the house (take a coat or keys, put on shoes, etc.). Your dog may begin exhibiting behaviors such as chewing devastatingly, walking back and forth, complaining, or getting dirty at home.
Noise phobia / external stressors
Your dog may poop inside because something outside scares or worries him. Some dogs have a more nervous temper and loud noises such as passing vehicles, barking dogs, rumbling thunder, screaming people or other loud noises can increase fear and anxiety.
Your dog may also be anxious because of potential predators, rain, people walking past or objects on wheels such as skateboards, suitcases or bicycles. If your dog is tense and scared outside, it must not use the toilet until it gets home.
Distracted
Some dogs may defecate in the house because they did not spend enough time outside to go to the toilet. When dogs go out, they usually like to sniff and explore the surroundings in search of new sights, smells or sounds. So if your dog spends a lot of time on walks instead of urinating and defecating, it may not have had enough time to poop outside.
Change in daily routine
Most dogs get used to a schedule of meals, walks or even games at certain times. If there is a drastic change in this routine, your dog may not be ready and this can lead to pooping in the House. With a newly trained pet, any new stressors or changes in their daily routine can lead to failures.
Problems with ageing
With age, your pet may lose the training skills that he had when he was a puppy. Elderly dogs may begin to show moderate signs of canine cognitive dysfunction or slight canine dementia when they begin to forget certain memorizing behaviors. Common observed signs include loitering, wandering, increased anxiety and a higher number of bouts of pollution in the home.
Another age-related factor is arthritis. An elderly dog with signs of hip or knee pain may have a harder time accepting a defecation position, so it may be difficult for him to get to a suitable location.
Diet change
Sudden changes in your dog's diet can lead to gastrointestinal disorders. Whether it is because you have bought a new brand of food or goodies, or if your dog has fallen into the trash, your dog's digestive tract will not tolerate such a radical change.
A change in diet can lead to a significant change in the biome microflora (good and bad bacteria) that form in the dog's gut. This imbalance can cause loose stools, leading to accidents at home.
How to prevent a dog from pooping in the House
Regardless of the underlying cause of the dog's inappropriate defecation in the House, punishment will not solve the problem. Don't shout at your dog or poke his nose as this is an ineffective strategy.
Here are some tips to prevent your dog from pooping inside. Consult your veterinarian if these strategies do not help solve the problem.
Eliminate underlying health problems
It is important to make an appointment with your veterinarian to identify any medical conditions.
Intestinal parasites can be diagnosed by fecal analysis and can be easily treated with worm removal drugs. In addition, if your pet is at a higher risk of developing intestinal parasites, it is important to perform monthly prophylaxis as a form of protection.
If you have a food allergy, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet, such as hydrolysed protein or a new protein diet, to determine whether your pet tolerates the food better.
Ask your veterinarian how to add probiotics to your pet's diet daily, such as Purina Fortiflora or Nutramax provable, to promote a balanced gut microbiome.
Ask for help with anxiety or getting rid of your dog
Helping your pet solve anxiety-related problems often involves some kind of behavior modification or desensitization.
With separation anxiety in dogs, it is necessary to retrain so that they perceive that they are left alone for some time in a positive moment. Ask your veterinarian for professional trainers or veterinary behaviorists who can help your pet with a specific problem.
Pheromones such as Adaptyl and sedative supplements such as Zylkene or Purina sedative therapy also help manage anxiety. If you think your pet may need more aggressive treatment, contact your veterinarian.
Get recommendations for age-related problems
If your pet starts showing signs of mild dementia or cognitive dysfunction, ask a vet to investigate. For the elderly, there are special medications and diets to help them cope with this new stage of life.
Your veterinarian may also examine your dog for any signs of pain or discomfort from arthritis, and may recommend common supplements or painkillers.
Keep your dog on a mission by visiting a potty
If your dog seems distracted from going to the bathroom, you can help him not stray.
For example, if your pet has spent all day indoors, instead of playing with it when you get home, leave it in the yard immediately or start walking. After they've urinated and defecated, compliment your dog and / or give him a treat that reinforces the goal of staying out. Then you can play with your dog.
Gradually change your dog's diet
Whenever you change your dog's food brand or even the same brand of food, it is important to gradually switch to new food for at least a week.
Start by giving 25% new food for two days to 75% old food, then for the next two days mix 50: 50, then 75% new food to 25% old food before switching to a whole new food.