You walk into the living room and your dog greets you with a happy wag. Then you get a whiff of their breath. It is terrible. You look over at the cat's litter box and see kicked-out sand. You know exactly what happened. Your dog just ate cat poop again.
This is one of the most disgusting habits a pet can have. Yet, it is incredibly common in multi-pet homes. You are not alone in dealing with this problem. Many pet owners face this gross battle every single day. Fortunately, you do not have to live with bad dog breath forever. There are several simple ways to stop this behavior for good.
Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop Anyway?
To solve this problem, we must first understand why it happens. Dogs are natural scavengers. They do not view waste the same way humans do. To a dog, the cat's litter box is like a box of smelly treats. Cats eat a diet that is very high in protein. Because of this, their waste still smells strongly of cat food.
Your dog is simply following their nose to a high-protein snack. In some cases, a dog might eat waste because they lack certain nutrients. Boredom or anxiety can also trigger this behavior. But most of the time, it is just a self-rewarding habit. If you want to learn more about keeping your pets happy, you can check out our home page about pets for more tips.
Use Baby Gates to Block Your Dog
The most effective solution is to physically block your dog from reaching the litter box. Cats are small, agile, and love to jump. Dogs are usually larger and less flexible. You can use these differences to your advantage.
Put a baby gate in the doorway of the room where you keep the litter box. You can mount the gate a few inches off the floor. This allows your cat to slide underneath while your dog is blocked. If your dog is small, you can get a gate with a tiny pet door built into it. Your cat will fit through easily, but your dog will be left outside.
Another option is a door strap or latch. These simple devices keep a door propped open just wide enough for a cat to slip through. Your dog will not be able to push the door open. This is a cheap way to keep the dog out of the laundry room.
Teach Your Dog the Leave It Command
Training is a powerful tool to stop this behavior. You should teach your dog the "leave it" command. This command is useful for many different situations. It can stop your dog from eating dropped food, trash, or cat waste.
Start training with a low-value treat in your closed hand. Let your dog sniff your fist. When they stop sniffing and look away, give them a high-value treat from your other hand. Repeat this until they look away as soon as you say "leave it". Once they master this, practice near the litter box. For more training ideas, read our guide on dog behavior issues to build a better bond with your pup.
Switch to a Top-Entry Litter Box
If you cannot block the room, you can change the style of the litter box. Standard open pans are too easy for dogs to access. A top-entry litter box is a great alternative. These boxes have a lid with a hole on top.
Your cat will jump onto the lid and drop down inside to do their business. Your dog will not be able to reach their head down into the opening. Most dogs will quickly give up when they realize they cannot reach the prize. As a bonus, top-entry boxes also help reduce the amount of litter your cat tracks onto the floor.
You can also buy litter box furniture. These are wooden cabinets that look like side tables or benches. They have a small entry hole on the side. This keeps the litter box completely out of sight. It looks nice in your living room and keeps your dog's nose out of the cat's business.
Keep the Litter Box Clean
The simplest trick is to keep the box empty. If there is nothing in the box, your dog cannot eat anything. Try to scoop the litter box at least twice a day.
If you have a busy schedule, consider an automatic self-cleaning litter box. These devices detect when your cat uses the box. A few minutes later, a rake sweeps the waste into a closed compartment. Your dog will never get the chance to search the sand.
Talk to Your Vet About Diet
Sometimes, eating waste is a sign of a dietary deficiency. If your dog gets high-quality food and still craves cat waste, talk to your vet. Your dog might need a food with more fiber to help them feel full.
You can also buy chewable tablets that make cat waste taste terrible to dogs. You feed these tablets to your cat. The ingredients do not harm your cat, but they make their waste smell and taste awful to dogs. This is a simple way to break the habit if other methods fail.