Dear Dr. Forsythe: I am writing about something my dog has started doing over the last few weeks that is really annoying and a little disgusting. Every morning after going out and doing her “business,” I started noticing she would sniff her own waste and then lick it. That progressed to tiny nibbles and bites to trying to devour it. I can’t seem to pick it up fast enough. She acts like it is the best dog treat in the world and it has really made us worried. Can’t she get parasites or a bad infection from this? Why is she doing this? I switched her back to the old food she was on before this started but maybe new habits are hard to break. Please tell me what you think about this? Could she be going senile? She is only 9 years old.
Scared @#$$less
Dear Scared @#$$less: There are a lot of reasons why pets suffer from “pica” or eating aberrant objects. When they start eating their own scat, it is time to step in and “nip it in the bud.” Try the product called Forbid you can get from your local veterinarian. Place this powder on the dog’s food for a few days, and it turns the poop so bitter no pet will want to eat it twice. The key ingredient in Forbid is Monosodium glutamate, but this is safe in most pets, and it is also found in the flavor enhancer Accent so you can sprinkle a little of that onto your pet’s evening meal if you happen to have that in the back of your cupboard. Little is understood about why a pet suddenly begins eating stool, although boredom, nutritional deficiencies and behavioral issues have been mentioned as reasons that contribute to this behavior. I would make sure your pet has a good super premium food he likes, and treat with Forbid for a few days. Then if the problem is still occurring, you’ll need to consult with a behaviorist. You may want to ask your veterinarian about a fecal parasite exam to check for roundworms, hookworms or giardia that can infect him while he is snarking up a yummy morsel from the back yard. I know this advice is probably soiling your appetite, but I appreciate your question, and if you follow this advice you’ll be able to get up close and personal with you pooch real soon.
Dr. F.
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I was thinking about trying to consult with a pet psychic to locate my lost cat. She has been missing for about a month now and I am beside myself. What are your thoughts on doing this? Do they work? Are they worth the money?
Getting desperate
Dear desperate: I don’t have much experience with pet psychics, although I can tell you if our beloved Dooney went missing, I’d stop at nothing to get him back. Even if I had to call Dionne Warwick’s psychic hotline for advice, I’d probably be willing to go the distance. If you’ve put up flyers at the veterinary offices, called Pets Lifeline, and contacted animal control, I say, what have you got to lose? Years ago I would have pooh-poohed the idea, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to have a more open-minded approach to life’s problems. I say go for it, or as Dionne would say: “Déjà vu”.
Thanks for the question. I welcome input from any readers who can recommend a good pet psychic.
Dr. F.
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