If you are a dog owner with a cat, you may have been shocked to find your dog eating a “treat” special to cats out of the litter box. This behavior is called coprophagia, which is a fancy term for eating feces. It is not a good thing! Not only can eating cat feces cause digestive problems for dogs, but it can also be a source of transmission for intestinal parasites and other organisms that can harm your dog. Although this is not always the case, if you suspect a medical issue, especially if your dog is showing any symptoms or gastrointestinal issues, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
Beyond the medical issues, do you really want your dog to snack from the cat litter box and then give you or someone else a big old kiss or a face lick? Probably not!
The easiest way to prevent your dog from eating cat feces is to remove the opportunity: dog-proof the litter box.