My dog ate poop, how do I clean his mouth? Does this sound familiar to you?
If it does, know that you can clean your pooch’s poopy mouth with:
- A dog toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dog chews and treats
- Dog mouthwash
- Dental wipes
- A piece of wet cloth
- Food and water
My Dog Ate Poop — How Do I Clean His Mouth?
Cleaning a dog’s stinky mouth can be tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of ready-made solutions you can buy from your local pet store or vet.
Also, I’ll offer you a couple of easy and cheap DIY solutions that will effectively and safely sanitize your doggie’s mouth.
Food and Water
One of the best DIY solutions for dealing with a poopy pooch mouth is food and water. Maybe this isn’t the answer you thought you’d get when you googled My dog ate poop.
How do I clean his mouth? However, this combination is surprisingly effective.
When your four-legged buddy consumes food and water, his mouth produces extra saliva.
Since the saliva of most animals contains antimicrobial agents, it has excellent sanitizing properties.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that food and water alone may not be enough to deal with the bad smell.
A Toothbrush
The best way to clean your dog’s mouth is with a toothbrush and some toothpaste.
However, don’t use dental cleaning products designed for humans because their ingredients are harmful to animals.
Still, it’s safe to rely on a children’s toothbrush if its bristles are soft.
If you’ve never brushed your pooch’s teeth before, know that he will put up a fight.
So, if you feel that this mouth cleaning method is too stressful for the dog, try the suggestions below.
Dental Wipes
Compared to toothbrushes, dental dog wipes are much easier to use. You just need to rub their teeth and mouth with them.
Unfortunately, wipes also have their disadvantages.
For starters, they won’t clean poop that is stuck between the teeth of your fluffy friend. Another downside of this cleaning solution is that it can be quite messy.
A Wet Piece of Cloth
An affordable alternative to dental dog wipes would be a piece of cloth soaked in coconut water or saltwater.
Nevertheless, avoid pushing your fingers too deep into the doggie’s mouth since that may trigger his gag reflex.
Dog Mouthwash
Like chews and treats, dog mouthwash has different flavors.
Also, you can choose from several different types based on their application:
- Sprays
- Rinses
- Water additives
- Gels
If you are looking for a mouthwash that is super easy to use, go with a water additive.
As its name implies, you’ll only need to add the product to the dog’s water for it to work.
Dog Chews and Treats
I’ve been in a situation in which I’ve asked myself My dog ate poop. How do I clean his mouth?
In my experience, the dogs’ favorite method for cleaning a poopy mouth includes dog chews and treats.
These products are available in different flavors, and they come in all sizes and shapes. What’s more, they deliver some of the best cleaning results.
Treats and chews stimulate the production of bacteria-killing saliva. Also, they remove debris by creating friction.
Best of all, dental snacks will make even the most stinky mouth smell fresh. If you love to give kisses to your pooch, you’d love the effect of these two products.
Sometimes, our pooches may exhibit strange and quite disgusting eating behaviors.
For instance, have you ever been in a situation in which you said My dog ate poop? How do I clean his mouth?
If you have, know that you’re not alone.
Many dog owners have faced this problem at least once. So, I’ll take the time to explain the reasons behind it.
Furthermore, I’ll show you how to quickly get rid of the poopy breath of your furry friend.
Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?
According to a study by the University of California, about 1 in 6 dogs practice coprophagia (i.e. they consume feces).
While some pooches eat their own poop, others prefer having the excrements of birds or cats, for example.
There are various reasons for this troublesome behavior. Usually, the causes behind it are harmless and even natural.
Unfortunately, poop eating may also suggest that your furry friend has a medical problem.
If that is the case, you’ll have to take your four-legged buddy to the vet’s office.
Most Common Medical Reasons for Stool Eating in Dogs
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Side Reaction to Medications
Some drugs, such as steroids, can increase the appetite of your pooch. As a result, he may start consuming non-food items, including feces.
2. A Symptom of a Medical Condition
When your dog’s food intake suddenly increases, it may also be a sign of a serious medical condition.
For instance, stool eating is often associated with thyroid disease and diabetes.
3. Parasites
Like most animals, dogs absorb valuable nutrients from their food. If, however, they have intestinal parasites, their organism is prevented from carrying out this process.
So, pooches may try eating poop to get the nutrients their bodies need.
3. Intestinal Malabsorption
Parasites are not the only factor that can result in nutrient malabsorption. Digestive problems in doggies have a similar effect and often lead to stool eating.
4. Poor or Unbalanced Diet
When a dog doesn’t have a healthy diet, his body is starved of important vitamins.
Once again, to give his organism what it’s been missing, the pooch will consume non-food items such as animal droppings.
Most Common Non-Medical Reasons for Poop Eating in Dogs
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Puppy Curiosity
Just like human babies, puppies love to explore the world around them.
Sometimes, the insatiable curiosity of young pooches makes them do silly things like eating excrements, for example.
Bad Influence
Another cause for poopy mouth in puppies is the bad influence of the adult dogs around them.
If some of the elders in the “pack” opt for a stinky treat, little doggies may follow their example.
Boredom
A dog may consume poop out of boredom, especially if he doesn’t get enough exercise. The lack of mental stimulation can also have similar consequences.
Odd Taste Preferences
Some doggies simply like the taste of animal droppings. Other times, they are attracted by the potent smell.
A Desire to Be Clean
Mama dogs eat the feces of their puppies to keep their environment clean. Once the little ones learn not to go potty where they sleep and eat, their mom’s diet becomes poop-free.
Also, by consuming feces, your furry friend maybe just trying to keep their environment neat and clean.
Stress and Anxiety
If a dog is feeling anxious, he may try to relieve stress in unusual ways. One of them involves coprophagia.
An attempt to keep you happy
Your four-legged friend hates it when you are sad or angry.
If you have ever punished them when they’ve had an accident, they may “clean” after themselves by eating their stool.
Extremely Confined or Isolated Living Conditions
Unfortunately, some doggies live in confined spaces. Others are leading a very isolated life away from humans.
As a result, these poor souls often turn to excrement eating as a self-soothing technique.
Attention Seeking
When your fluffy friend feels like you’re not giving him enough attention, he’ll treat himself to some poop.
Since you’re now reading about this topic, I’d say his strategy has succeeded.
Ways to Prevent Dogs From Eating Poop
If you want this to be your last time cleaning a poopy mouth, you’ll need to prevent future stool eating accidents.
Usually, the measures you need to take depend on the specific reason behind your dog’s coprophagia.
Still, there are a few harmless ones that you can safely try.
- Ask your vet to check if your pooch has any medical problems.
- Get some vitamins and supplements that contain natural digestive enzymes to boost the dog’s digestive health.
- Improve the diet of your furry buddy by giving him kibble rich in meat proteins.
- Stick to a strict feeding routine to prevent the dog from eating too much or too little.
- To avoid unnecessary smelly temptations, pick up poop as soon as you see it.
- train your four-legged friend to recognize and follow the “Leave it” command.
- Don’t punish the dog after poop eating accidents because that may make things even worse.
- Try to be more relaxed around your pooch so that he doesn’t feel stressed.
- Help your doggie use up his energy by going on longer or more frequent walks.
- Put a muzzle on your dog if you can’t prevent him from eating his feces when he’s outside.
Conclusion
You are not the first to wonder My dog ate poop. How do I clean his mouth?
There are plenty of products created specifically for such situations that prove you are not alone in your struggle.
Pick the one that works best for you and your doggie.
If you don’t want to be stuck in a vicious poop eating circle, get to the bottom of the problem.
With some extra effort, you may even resolve it for good.
