Some dogs are a little too interested in a cat’s litter box. You may have been lucky enough to catch your dog beforehand, but most likely you’re always a little too late.
It totally grosses you out as a pet owner, and this probably isn’t the first thing that your furry friend has done that you would consider disgusting. But still, you want to know why does your dog eat cat litter?
Dogs are scent-oriented, with noses 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. For dogs, the whole world is a series of different kinds of scents. So when opportunity meets curiosity, most dogs take the bait.
When dogs eat cat litter and all that it contains, they usually don’t experience any side effects. However, it is possible that it can cause gastrointestinal upset. If you know your pet got into your cat’s litterbox, make sure to keep an eye on their bowel movements over the next 24 hours. If you noticed any abnormalities call your local urgent care vet or emergency vet.
Sometimes, a dog doesn’t get off that lucky, so if you notice your pet vomiting or arching their back in pain, you should bring them to your local urgent care vet or emergency vet immediately.
Your local urgent care vet or emergency vet will do a full evaluation of your dog when you bring them in. Many times owners don’t know how much cat litter their dog consumed and if it was a large amount, it can cause a blockage in the stomach. Your local urgent care vet or emergency vet will make recommendations based off of what they find upon examination, but unfortunately, a blockage can result in surgery to remove the impacted litter.
Another concern with your dog eating cat litter and most likely cat feces are parasites, especially if your cat goes outside and does not get regular check-ups.
The best way to keep your dog from eating cat litter is to remove the temptation and physically prevent access to the litter box. Another option is keeping your dog busy; they may just be drawn to the litter box out of sheer boredom and curiosity.
Cleaning the litterbox multiple times per day is also another great option. When your pup has nothing to do, they go looking for entertainment, such as eating and playing with cat poop. Not only will keeping the litterbox clean remove what your dog is seeking, but your kitty cat will appreciate it too!
Managing multiple pets can be trying, but with some planning, you can ensure that everyone stays safe. As always, we are here to help you and your pet. So don’t hesitate to call us if you think that your pet may need medical assistance.