Is Horse Poop Bad for Dogs? The #1 Scoop on Why You Should Prevent Poo-Eating

Oh no, you glance over just in time to see your dog greedily chomping down on a fresh pile of horse manure. Before you can shout “drop it!” your precious pooch has already wolfed down a few mouthfuls of the smelly stuff. Aside from being totally gross, you worry this could actually harm your four-legged friend. But is horse poop really that bad for dogs?

The straight poop is that while horse manure certainly carries some risks, in most cases it’s not detrimental for dogs. Horse poop can contain nasty bacteria like Salmonella or parasites like Giardia that may sicken your pup. It can also have traces of chemicals from medicines like ivermectin, which is toxic to some dogs. However, these dangers only exist if the manure is contaminated. As long as the horse poop is just composed of hay and other digested plant matter, it should pass through your dog’s system without issue. The main problem is the chance they’ll form an unhealthy habit of feasting on feces. So be sure to clean it up and train your dog to ignore poop piles.

Now that you have the doo on whether horse manure is detrimental, let’s dig deeper into the potential risks and how to curb your dog’s poop eating penchant.

Why Do Dogs Eat Horse Poop?

Before understanding if horse manure is bad, it helps to know what motivates dogs to dine on dung in the first place. After all, why would an animal evolutionarily adapted for carnivory purposefully snack on plant-based poo?

Several theories explain the allure of horse manure:

Smell and Taste– To dogs, horse feces simply smells and tastes appealing. The strong odor and texture entices their curiosity.
Nutritional Instincts – Since wild dogs get nutrients from the stomach contents of prey, feces eating provides partial digestion benefits.
Attention-Seeking – Eating poop guarantees a reaction from their human. Even scolding is better than neglect in a dog’s mind.
Stress-Relief – High-anxiety and bored dogs may develop poop-eating compulsions for comfort. It’s akin to human nail-biting.
Health Problems – Certain conditions like diabetes or Cushing’s disease cause increased scavenging for feces.

So for dogs, horse apples aren’t considered gross or dangerous. It’s simply an appealing snack. But should we let pups indulge?

What Makes Horse Poop Potentially Hazardous?

Though not directly poisonous, horse manure can contain elements harmful to dogs, including:

Parasites

Horse GI systems commonly harbor protozoan parasites like Cryptosporidium or Giardia. Shed in their manure, these can cause intestinal infections in dogs if ingested.

Bacteria

Poop Always contains loads of bacteria, but horses can pass particularly nasty strains like Salmonella or E. Coli in their manure. These bacterial infections lead to severe diarrhea if transmitted to dogs.

Chemicals

Medications and dewormers taken by horses are excreted in their waste. One example is ivermectin, a chemical used in equine dewormers. If dogs ingest high levels, it can cause neurologic toxicity.

Foreign Objects

Horses can’t discriminate what gets mixed in with their manure. Dogs eating horse poop may inadvertently ingest sharp rocks, nails, or other hazardous debris found in stall bedding. Obstructions can require emergency surgery.

So while the poop itself is not immediately toxic, the hidden dangers above are why it’s best to stop dogs from feasting on horse apples.

Signs of a Problem From Eating Horse Manure

If your dog makes a meal out of horse poop, watch for these symptoms of illness and contact your vet if any appear:

Diarrhea
Dehydration
Weight loss
Vomiting
Fever
Neurologic issues like dilated pupils, disorientation, or lethargy
Loss of appetite
Bloody stool
Abdominal pain

Quick treatment is key to recovery, as bacteria and parasites can rapidly proliferate once established in the intestines. Bring a fecal sample to help identify the underlying cause.

Tips to Curb Poo Eating

Since horse manure consumption is so common in dogs, focus on discouraging and preventing the habit using these tactics:

Remove Temptation

Pick up horse apples frequently
Cover manure piles
Limit access to pastures and paddocks

Use Repellents

Try adding flavor deterrents like lemon juice or hot sauce on the poop

Correct and Distract

Say “leave it!” when catching your dog near manure
Redirect to a toy or treat reward for obeying

Address Underlying Causes

Consult your veterinarian to rule out metabolic disorders
Reduce anxiety with enrichment toys when left alone
Increase exercise and stimulation when bored

Train an Aversion

When first teaching “leave it,” cover manure with a rock and pull it away when your dog tries approaching

With consistency, you can break the habit and protect your dog’s health in the long-run. But you may need to accept an occasional “field snack” during training.

When to Worry About Poop Eating

As gross as it is, an isolated incident of eating horse manure likely won’t harm your dog. Issues arise if it becomes a regular habit.

Contact your vet promptly if you notice:

Increased attraction to all feces, not just horse
Consumption of their own poop (dogs should not re-ingest already processed waste)
Significant increase in amount eaten
Changes in energy, appetite, or bowel movements
Any concerning symptoms aforementioned

If your dog seems obsessed with manure, ravenous without weight gain, or ill after an episode, seek medical advice to address the underlying driver.

The Bottom Line

Catching your dog happily eating horse manure is revolting. And it can certainly carry risks if the waste contains parasites, bacteria, medications, or other contaminants. But ingesting manure from a healthy horse alone likely won’t directly sicken your dog. The real dangers come from chronic repetition.

Stop the behavior using removal, training, and distraction. And most importantly, schedule regular vet checkups to ensure your pet stays happy and healthy, despite their gross tendencies! With patience and precaution, your dog can safely coexist with horses and their piles of poop.