Meat Tenderizer For Dogs: All You Need To Know!

Imagine a cute dog that loves to eat its own poop. What could make it eat feces despite all its expensive food? Dogs that eat poop are not only unattractive, but they also put themselves at risk of contracting a disease.

Poop can carry the most harmful microorganisms, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli, which shouldn’t be allowed to enter your dog’s stomach. You can stop your dog from eating its waste by giving it a meat tenderizer.

But is it safe to use? Does it really work? What brand of tenderizer should I add to the dog food, and how much? This post will provide answers to many of the above-mentioned questions.

A Dog Eats His Own Poop, Why?

Here are the top reasons dogs coprophage:

1. Imitating their Mother

Mother dogs will eat their puppies’ stool as a way to protect their pups from predators. They do this until their litters have weaned when they start to leave the nest to defecate. Sometimes it takes between 4-5 weeks.

The puppies can quickly pick up this behavior. They don’t have to know better and can continue to eat their doggie poos even after becoming adults. Do not allow this to continue. Get behavioral training immediately if you see your dog doing this.

2. Dietary Deficiency

Food-related reasons such as low nutrition and calories are another reason dogs might eat their own feces. Dogs may attempt to eat their dog’s poo to replenish the nutrients and calories lost.

You should ensure that your dog is fed a diet that is appropriate for his breed and stage of life.

Parasites and worms are other things to watch out for. They can eat your dog’s food, leaving it hungry immediately after eating. This could cause your dog to re-eat his stool to satisfy his hunger.

3. Poor Digestion

Dogs can have trouble digesting certain ingredients, such as wheat, soy, and corn.

Your dog might mistakenly believe that his poop is the same as the food he ate just a few hours before and may not be able to see the difference.

4. Boredom, loneliness

Dogs that spend the day alone or in small spaces are more likely to eat poop than dogs who live near their owners.

5. Stress and anxiety

These mental conditions can lead to dogs eating poop. Your dog could become stressed from a variety of factors, including a new puppy or baby, a change in routines, and if there are changes in your home.

Dogs can become anxious if you use the wrong housetraining methods or punish them too harshly. To get around punishment, your dog may eat its own poop in an effort to avoid it.

6. Attention Seeking

Dogs crave attention more when they feel lonely. Dogs will eat their own poo to get attention from their owners. Do not panic if you see your dog do this.

7. Taste

Delicious poop is a side effect of high-protein dog food. As funny as it may sound, some dogs will eat their stools just because they like the taste.

What’s the Deal with Meat Tenderizers in Dog Food?

These products tenderize meat. They have proteolytic enzymes like bromelain, which digest protein. Bromelain can is made from certain fruits, such as pineapple stems. It can be added to dog food to increase protein digestion and alter the taste of the waste.

Your dog won’t eat its poop because the enzymes derive most of the protein in it. A meat tenderizer is a way to make poo less appealing for dogs with coprophagia or who are prone to eating stools, which discourages the dog from doing such disgusting things.

Related: How Much Pineapple To Give Dog To Stop Eating Poop?

Is Meat Tenderizer Safe for Dogs?

Like many other dog products, some tenderizers are made from natural sources such as fruits (figs and pineapple, pawpaw and kiwi), beer, wine and black tea, vinegar, and baking soda. These products can be used in very small quantities and are completely safe for dogs.

Your pup is safe to consume commercial meat tenderizers as long as they’re not seasoned with any flavorings. Some ingredients and seasoning like garlic and onions in tenderizers can be dangerous for your dog.

Safe meat tenderizers include sodium (in small amounts), bromelain or papain (this works in the same way as the bromelain to break down proteins), and MSG (a safe preservative). Your dog is not safe from anything containing salt, color, flavors, or other chemical additives.

How Do you Add Meat Tenderizer to your Dog’s Food?

You’ve probably used a meat tenderizer in the past to soften meats. Powdered meat tenderizers are common. Simply moisten the meats before adding them to the dog’s food.

To get the tenderizer to penetrate the meat, add a little bit of it to the surface and let the mixture rest for a while before you begin to cook it.

Is there MSG in Meat Tenderizers?

Monosodium glutamate is a common food ingredient that enhances the taste of food. It is a derivative of glutamic acid, which is an abundant amino acid. MSG is sometimes added to meat tenderizers to improve the taste of the food and modify the flavor of the dog’s poop.

It works in conjunction with the tenderizer enzymes to make poop less savory. Look for meat tenderizers that contain MSG. According to the FDA, it is safe for your pet.

Is Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer Safe for Dogs?

Adolph is an unseasoned all-natural tenderizer. It uses natural sugars, sea salt, and pineapple extract as its main ingredients. It doesn’t contain MSG, which is why it is so popular in many households.

Many people believe MSG to be safe for pet and human consumption. However, others disagree. No matter what category you fall in, Adolph’s meat tenderizer can be used safely for dogs. It’s gentle, natural, safe for dogs, and contains dog-safe ingredients.

However, it contains salt, so you may want to reduce the amount of the tenderizer to prevent over-salting your dog’s food.

Will a Meat Tenderizer stop my dog from eating poop?

To stop coprophagia, you can try adding meat tenderizer to your dog’s food to help it deter from eating feces. It doesn’t work with all dogs. Even though the tenderizer contains MSG and enzymes, some dogs continue to eat the horrible stuff.

You might also consider other tenderizers such as vinegar, pineapple, kiwi, and ginger. There are products you can add directly to the dog’s poop to make it bitter. However, to eliminate the temptation, it is best to eliminate all traces of poop in your home regularly.

How Much Meat Tenderizer Should you Use on Dog Food?

You can sprinkle meat tenderizer generously on your dog’s food, regardless of its size or breed, but don’t go too far, as this could cause stomach upsets. It would be best to choose a tenderizer containing MSG to take advantage of both the MSG- and the tenderizer benefits to keep your doggie away from poop.

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop

These are proven methods to stop dogs from eating their own poop.

• Give your dog high-quality dog food that meets all his nutritional requirements. Food should be high in protein but also appropriate for your dog’s age and breed. This best-selling dog food guide will help you make informed choices for replenishing your dog’s food supplies.
• You can add a multivitamin to the dog’s food. Even though dog food today is full of nutrients, some dogs still require extra vitamins and minerals.
• Use a meat tenderizer to your dog’s food to make it less appealing. You can also use pineapple and pumpkin as natural poop-eating repellents.
• Make sure your dog has a clean environment. This includes the yard and playpen.
• Teach your dog to leave things alone by using commands like “leave it” or “come.”
• Use positive dog training in order to change your dog’s bad behavior forever. Reward your dog for following your command to leave its poop. Don’t react too harshly if it does not.
• Has your dog checked by his veterinarian regularly to eliminate any potential medical issues, such as parasites and worms?
• To keep your dog from smelling or eating any poop when outside, you should always have him on a leash.
• When you take your dog for a walk, make sure to pick up his poop.
• Do not leave your dog alone for too long. Ask a friend or family member to come by and check it.

FAQs

Can a dog get sick by eating poop?

In most cases, no. However, a dog can become ill from coprophagia. In certain instances, poop can transmit infectious diseases or parasites.

Why is my senior dog suddenly eating poop?

It could have parasite or pancreatic problems. Talk to your vet about the possibility.

Will a meat tenderizer harm my dog?

A small amount of meat tenderizer will not likely cause any problems, but excessive consumption could lead to stomach irritation.

Closing Thoughts

Dogs that eat poop are not fun to be around. The smell of poop will make you sick if they try to lick your face and cuddle with you.

To change the taste of your dog’s feces, you can use a meat tenderizer from your pantry, and hopefully, this will get your dog to stop eating her poop once and for all.

Further Reading:

• Meloxicam (Metacam) For Dogs: Uses, Dosage, & Side Effects
• Why Does My Dog Eat Leaves?
• Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks? And What to Do About It
• Why Do Dogs Eat Their Vomit?
• Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?
• Gross! My Dog Eats Rabbit Poop, What Should I Do?