Despite the fact that it’s a regular canine habits, seeing a canine rolling within the grass can set off alarm bells for homeowners whose canine usually roll in poop and useless issues. Credit score: Purple Collar Pet Pictures | Getty Photos
Most pet homeowners have undoubtedly witnessed the relatively unsavory sight of a canine rolling in poop or useless issues. However why do they do it?
Whereas there may be not but a scientific clarification for this habits, there are theories.
“I am not aware of any scientific studies that have been done looking at why dogs do this, or how common it is,” says Dr. Melissa Bain, a veterinary habits specialist and professor of scientific animal habits at UC Davis College of Veterinary Drugs. “One thought is that it is an evolutionary behavior, in which a dog will mask its scent with feces. It generally is the feces of another animal, not of dogs. There is also a hypothesis that it may be scent marking. Instead of the thought that they are depositing the odor onto themselves, they are depositing their odor onto the feces to mark their territory.”
“Wolves and wild dogs used to roll in poop to mask their scent, which is useful when hiding from predators and sneaking up on prey,” agrees Dr. Ivana Crnec, of Veterinarians.org. “Modern dogs, despite evolving past the need to hide and hunt, are still true to their ancestral heritage.”
Dr. Crnec famous that rolling in poop and useless issues is quite common in canine.
“Dogs roll in their own feces and poop from other animals like cowpats and fox poop,” she says. “Interestingly, rolling is not limited to poop. In fact, dogs enjoy rolling in all types of smelly, organic matter.”
What To Do About Canines Who Roll in Poop
Dr. Bain says if canine homeowners witness poop rolling, there’s seemingly not a lot to be finished.
“Likely there is not a whole lot to do in the moment aside from trying to get the dog away from the area by calling the dog away and rewarding [her] with a high-value treat,” says Dr. Bain. “However, that high-value treat may not be any better than the feces in which the dog is rolling. In that case, they should either ignore the dog [or] walk away.”
She says prevention is vital to conserving canine from rolling in poop.
“Keeping the dog on leash will almost always prevent these incidents,” she says. “This is especially important if you know that you are going to an area such as a barn. If the dog is rolling in things in their yard, they should be sure to keep the yard clean.”
She says it’s usually not dangerous to a wholesome canine, however there could also be parasites or different infectious illnesses within the feces that may be transmitted to the person canine, different canine, or individuals.
“This would be if [the] feces were to be ingested inadvertently,” she says. “It also can be stressful for some owners when they continually have to clean up the dog and the house, especially if the dog doesn’t like baths.”
Canines Roll in Poop
Nonetheless gross it could appear to people, rolling in poop is fairly regular canine habits.
Dr. Crnec says there isn’t any decided sample for canine rolling in poop and the behavior is seen in all breeds, ages, and genders.
“However, interestingly, regular rolling is more common in certain breeds such as Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Jack Russell Terriers, and mixed-breed dogs,” she says.