Dog Eating Goose Poop? Here’s Why & How to Prevent It

Dogs do a lot of strange things, like rolling around in mud and barking at the mailman. But most dog owners don't understand or like the fact that their dogs eat poop, especially bird poop. 

If you've ever seen your dog eating goose droppings while you were out for a walk, you may be thinking, "Why would they do that?" In this in-depth guide, we'll talk about the reasons behind this bad habit, the possible risks, and how you can help your dog stop doing it.

Why Do Dogs Eat Goose Poop?

Dogs are naturally interested in new things, and their sense of smell is much better than ours. What we think is gross might smell like a tasty treat to them. Most of the time, dogs eat bird poop for the following reasons:

1. Instinctual Scavenging

Scavengers, like dogs, used to eat anything they could find to stay alive, even poop. Coprophagia is the scientific name for this natural behaviour, which could be why your dog is interested in goose poop. 

In the wild, dogs might eat poop to keep from going hungry or to keep their pack safe from diseases. Wild dogs and wolves, for example, eat poop to keep their dens clean and less likely to attract predators.

2. Nutritional Deficiencies

If your dog's food doesn't have enough of certain nutrients, they may look for other food sources, like goose poop. Geese eat plants, and their droppings contain partly digested plant matter that a dog that is having trouble with its diet might like. 

One example is a dog that eats low-quality food that doesn't have enough vitamins and minerals might eat goose poop to make up for it.

3. Taste and Smell

Some dogs like the taste or smell of goose poop, believe it or not. Dogs, especially those with a strong need to find things, may find the smell of geese droppings appealing because they eat grass and plants. 

Like how some people like strong-smelling foods like blue cheese or durian—what one person doesn't like might taste great to another.

4. Attention-Seeking Behavior

If your dog knows that when they eat goose poop, you get angry and yell, chase, or pull them away, they might do it again just to get your attention. 

For instance, a dog that feels ignored might figure out that eating poop will always get you to pay attention to them, even if it's bad attention.

5. Boredom or Stress

Dogs that are bored, nervous, or stressed may eat poop as a way to deal with their feelings. Dogs that spend a lot of time alone or in small areas often do this. If you leave your dog alone in a small garden with nothing to do, it might start eating goose poop out of boredom.

Is Eating Goose Poop Dangerous for Dogs?

Eating goose poop isn't usually dangerous, but there are some things that could go wrong. Know this:

1. Bacterial Infections

Bad germs like Salmonella and E. coli can live in goose poop and make dogs sick by making them vomit, have diarrhoea, and become dehydrated. For instance, if a dog eats goose poop that has been tainted, it might get an upset tummy and need to see a vet to get better.

2. Parasites

Giardia and worms are two diseases that geese can carry and pass on to your dog through their poop. Untreated, these bugs can cause infections and other health issues. For example, a dog that gets giardia might have diarrhoea all the time and lose weight.

3. Toxic Substances

Because the geese may have been around pesticides, fertilisers, or other chemicals, these could be in their droppings and make your dog sick. 

For example, a dog that eats goose poop from a park that has been treated with poisons for lawns could get sick.

4. Behavioral Concerns

If your dog regularly eats goose poop, it can make bad habits stronger and make it harder to teach them to stay away from other things that are bad for them, like poisonous plants or food that has gone bad. 

For example, if a dog learns that eating poop is fun, it might start eating other things that aren't good for it.

How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Goose Poop

There are several things you can try if you really want to stop your dog from eating poop:

1. Teach the “Leave It” Command

It can really help if you teach your dog to "leave it." Start by learning the command at home with treats or toys. Then, slowly move it outside to situations like coming across goose poop. 

On a walk, if your dog gets close to goose poop, tell them to "leave it" and give them a high-value treat when they do.

2. Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Keep your dog on a short leash when you walk in places where geese are. You can move them away from poop and have more control this way. 

For example, if you're going near a pond where geese like to hang out, keep your dog close with a sturdy leash so they can't sneak a snack.

3. Divert Your Attention with Valuable Snacks

When you go for walks, bring your dog's favourite treats or a toy with you. If they are interested in the goose poop, give them the treat or toy instead. 

If your dog starts to look for poop, for instance, call their name and give them a piece of chicken or cheese to keep their attention off of it.

4. Improve Their Diet

If you think your dog is eating poop because it isn't getting enough nutrients, you should talk to your vet. They might tell you to switch to a better dog food or give your dog vitamins. 

For example, a dog that eats goose poop might do better on a diet high in protein, good fats, and vitamins.

5. Clean Up Your Yard

If geese like to come to your garden, clean up their droppings often to keep them away. You can also use things that scare geese away from your land. 

Installing motion-activated sprinklers or using sprays that keep geese away are two examples of ways to do this.

When to Talk to Your Vet?

Eating bird poop isn't usually a big deal, but there are times when you should talk to a doctor:

• If your dog gets sick after eating goose poop and shows symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, or being tired, wash your hands.
• If you think they may have eaten a lot or be at risk of getting bugs.
• If the behaviour gets excessive or hard to control, it could mean there is a health or behaviour problem deeper down.
• As an example, you should take your dog to the vet for a full evaluation if it starts eating goose poop without any reason and doesn't listen to your orders.

Taking Measures to Avoid Recurrences

If you don't want your dog to eat goose poop, you should keep it from happening. Here are some plans for the long term:

Regular visits to the vet

Make sure your dog is healthy and doesn't have any underlying conditions or nutritional deficits that could make coprophagia worse. For example, a dog with an imbalanced thyroid might be more interested in things other than food, like poop.

Management of the Environment

Stay away from places where geese are popular, especially when they are migrating and there are more of them. Say you know that a nearby park is a great place for geese to hang out, so pick a different path for your walks.

Good Behaviour Support

Give your dog a treat when it does something good, like ignoring goose poop or listening to the "leave it" order. Punishment doesn't work as well as positive feedback. Show your dog some praise and a treat if they walk right by a pile of goose poop without stopping.

Put on a muzzle.

If your dog is really stubborn, you might want to use a basket mask when you go for walks. This lets them breathe and drink, but stops them from eating poop. For instance, a dog that can't stay away from goose poop might do better when it's in an area with geese.

Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior is Key!

Remember that dogs don't see things the same way we do. What we think is gross might be interesting or even fun to them. You can help your dog stop eating goose poop by getting to the bottom of why they do it.

Why Does My Dog Eat Goose Poop? Shocking Reasons Revealed!

Dogs often eat bird poop, but you shouldn't ignore the fact that they are doing it. To keep your dog happy and healthy, you can control their behaviour, feed them better food, and keep them away from things that could be harmful to their health. 

Remember that the best ways to teach your dog not to do this are to be patient and consistent. If you're not sure what to do, don't be afraid to ask your vet for help that is specific to your dog's needs.