"Nasty Habit" by Nutri-Vet

Pearl, my entirely white ten-month-old Pit Bull Terrier mix, is so adorable that I can hardly contain myself. I say her name in silly voices, scratch her back and rub her belly, and I can’t kiss her enough. To me, she is altogether perfect. Well almost. She has one behavioral issue that doesn’t seem to mesh with her character: my little Pearly girl eats her own poop!

There are a few reasons why a dog may feel inclined to do this. For one, it’s a survival tool. Dogs instinctually know not to leave evidence of their presence for other potential predators to pick up on. So, if your dog senses danger, he or she may want to “eliminate the elimination.” Poop eating could also be a behavior your pup picked up from his or her mother. After all, don’t all children imitate their elders? And although it’s a strange way to blow off steam, dogs actually use this terrible indulgence as a way to relieve stress. Talk about comfort food!

Enter Nasty Habit, a chewable tablet by Nutri-Vet that works to prevent dogs from consuming their own feces. Each pill contains a healthy dose of Cayenne Pepper, a spice that is disagreeable to dogs and so defers them from “re-consuming” their food. Nasty Habit also contains Chamomile, an herb that works to calm canine nerves and lower stress levels so that your dog won’t feel the need to do this awful deed.

Nasty Habit is an effective and inexpensive product that can be found at your local pet store or ordered directly from the Nutri-Vet website. Since I started adding these caplets to Pearl’s morning and evening meals, she has stopped her unnecessary snacking, and she is oh-so-perfect again!