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Why Do Dogs Roll in Fox Poo Sections
🦊 Introduction - Dogs and Fox Poo
Every dog owner knows that awful moment. You're out on a pleasant walk when suddenly your dog spots something interesting. Before you have a chance to yell "Noooo", they've taken great delight in rolling energetically in a fresh pile of fox poo and seem delighted with their newfound fragrance! It's one behaviour that leaves many dog owners wondering why they decided to get a dog and why their pet chooses something so repulsive to roll and play in! It sometimes seems like your dog has a special "Fox poo radar" that is adept at finding the freshest, smelliest and most pungent fox faeces they can find!
And, when you think the walk is going well and you've got your eye on your dog, they suddenly do the telltale ready-to-roll shoulder-drop move that every dog owner fears. Before you have had a chance to think about yelling, your dog has rolled in poo and is wearing what they clearly consider to be a wonderful prize. It's an innate behaviour that's as natural to them as our urge to shower daily, though with startlingly different results! Understanding why dogs feel the need to roll in foxes poo at all is the first step to managing this particularly troublesome habit. So read on to discover exactly why dogs feel the need to fox themselves up and what you can do if the worst happens and your dog returns sporting a freshly acquired new smell.
Did You Know? Foxes strategically leave their droppings in prominent places, like the middle of a paving slab, to mark their territory |
Why Do Dogs Like to Roll in Fox Poo?
When your dog enthusiastically rolls in foxes poo, they're following instinctive and deeply rooted instincts. From helping wild ancestors to better stalk and hunt prey by masking their scent, to complex communication between pack members, your dog's natural attraction to fox poop has historically served many purposes. While most dogs have a powerful sense of smell that makes them naturally drawn to fox poo and other strong smells, understanding what drives these behaviours can help us manage them better.
🦊 They Do it to Mask Their Natural Scent
Before domestication when dogs were wild, hunting and survival meant staying undetected. Your dog rolling in poo actually mimics an ancient hunting strategy where wild dogs would use strong-smelling fox faeces to mask their natural scent. Just as hunters use camouflage, disguising their smell helped them surprise to their prey when hunting. While your dog doesn't need to hunt anymore, this historic predator instinct remains deeply embedded in their DNA, triggering that irresistible urge to roll!
🦊 They Do It To Try and Put Their Scent on the Fox Poo
When your dog has rolled in something shocking, they're doing more than just getting smelly and revolting - they're participating in scent communication. Fox faeces contains powerful pheromone markers from scent glands that cause the distinctive and unpleasant odour. Dogs like to instinctively mark their territory, and rolling in poo is another way to interact with environmental markers and scents. Pack members would use this smelly method to share information about discoveries whilst hunting in the wild.
🦊 As a Dog Perfume!
While us humans prefer a great smelling perfume or aftershave, dogs like to accessorise differently! When dogs roll in poo, they are in effect treating themselves to nature's cologne. Your dog's sensitive nose finds these strong smells appealing, particularly fox faeces. Just as we enjoy the smell of a good fragrance, dogs enjoy these overpowering odours because their powerful noses process them completely differently. So when your pet comes home covered in fox muck, in their eyes they think that they've just had a luxury spa day!
🦊 To Communicate Scents to the pack
When your dog comes home smelling like a farmyard, they're actually sharing news with you! With their powerful noses, dogs use this pungent smell to communicate things with other pack members. Going all the way back to when dogs were wild, finding fox faeces could signal important information about hunting grounds or threats. Another theory suggests that it could be a way that they still try to contribute with their family group - though most owners would prefer less smelly updates!
🦊 Because It's a Deeply Rooted Instinctual Behaviour
Your dog's fascination with fox poo isn't them being naughty - it's a deeply rooted behaviour that has been passed through generations. As mentioned, in the days when dogs were wild, disguising their scent was crucial for survival. While modern dogs don't need to hunt prey, these ancient instincts are hard to shake. Just as dogs circle before sleeping, the attraction to fox faeces is hardwired. Keeping your dog from this natural impulse is challenging as it's simply a part of who they are.
🦊 Just Because It's Fun!
Sometimes, dogs will roll in poo just because they enjoy it! Just as dogs eat grass or chase their tails, some behaviours are done purely for pleasure. Your dog finds fox faeces incredibly exciting and stimulating, and while it's easier said than done to understand why they find something so smelly fun, dogs adore rolling in things that smell strong. For them, discovering a fresh pile is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Did You Know? Surprisingly, domestic dog DNA has been found in about 40% of fox stool samples in some areas, suggesting that dog feces can be a significant part of a fox's diet!! |
Are There Risks of Rolling in Fox Poo?
While your dog might enjoy covering themselves in fox poo, it's important to bear in mind that fox faeces can be dangerous to dogs. Foxes can carry several harmful parasites, including the potentially fatal lungworm. Fox poo also often contains intestinal parasites like roundworm, tapeworms and hookworms and that can cause diarrhoea and anaemia if ingested.
There's always a risk of getting parasites when your dog has been near fox muck, as they may inadvertently consume some while grooming. If your dog gets regularly finds fox poo, chat with your vet for advice, especially if they show unusual symptoms. While we know that the smell is unpleasant, the hidden dangers in fox poo make prevention crucial so keep a close eye on your dog during walks to minimise the risk of ingesting parasites
How to Stop Your Dog From Rolling in Fox Poo?
The best way to handle a dog that loves to roll in poo is to prevent them from rolling in the first place. Dogs have powerful noses so keep your dog on a lead in areas where foxes are common and watch for signs your dog is about to roll - they typically lower their shoulder and get a gleam in their eye. Training so that you give your dog solid "leave" command can help, though it's sometimes easier said than done when competing with determined dog. Keeping them mentally stimulated during walks often reduces their interest in fox poo.
🚿 What's the Best Way to Clean Fox Poo Off Your Dog?
If your dog comes home covered in fox poo, act fast to eliminate the smell quickly. While some good dog shampoos are specifically designed to get rid of the smell, some owners swear by tomato ketchup to help neutralise the odour before washing. Start with a thorough rinse to remove the smell of poo from your dog's coat. Follow with a good scrub using specialised dog shampoo - you might need multiple washes to get rid of the pungent smell and leave your dog smelling like a summer meadow! Be thorough around areas your dog licks to reduce risks from parasites.
Dogs Rolling in Fox Poo - Conclusion
So now we understand why dogs find fox poo so irresistible and hopefully this will help you to manage this natural behaviour better. While we may never fully appreciate their enthusiasm for such smelly things, we can at least be prepared. Remember - even the best-trained dogs sometimes can't resist answering the call of the wild!
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