Can dogs get ill from eating human poop?

[Sophiedoodle]

I am just back from a walk with Lilly and Oreo, and we stumbled across some, what I can only assume, human poop (there was a wet wipe next to it, but no nappy or anything).
Anyway, both dogs were over sniffing at it and I’m not convinced they didn’t eat any of it, but I can’t be 100% sure.
Is there any way of them getting ill from this? Or am I overreacting?

 

[M.F.]

Yes, they can. But I wouldn’t be worried right now. The human poo can have drugs—my vet said she’s seen a few dogs who presented with neurological symptoms caused by drugs after eating human poo. Snowie once had a seizure after eating poo—a couple of hours later, so I’m sure it was the poo, and most likely drugs in it. He also once had a E. coli infection, which the vet believed came from eating human poo. Otherwise, if the person is healthy, there’s no reason why the poo should cause harm. Unfortunately, though, you probably have no idea who made the poo!

 

[Sophiedoodle]

It was up by the local woods and we have an “outdoor nursery” up there through the week so I’m guessing it is from one of the kids, which I imagine have a pretty healthy diet

 

[Shaz82]

Well I now feel really nauseous as I had a few incidents with Maisy. We go to a park which is frequented by street drinkers and aggressive beggars in the day, luckily we are there really early so can mostly avoid them. BUT they leave there mark, litter, drug bags and poo, it is so disgusting I can't tell you. Anyway, one morning Maisy gulped some down and I nearly puked, OMG, the rest of the day she was slightly subdued and in hindsight I think there might have been traces of something that affected her, maybe weed or most likely prescription sedatives. Also, I didn't let her lick me for a loooonnnggg time. (I just can't put in enough emojis)

 

[M.F.]

It was up by the local woods and we have an “outdoor nursery” up there through the week so I’m guessing it is from one of the kids, which I imagine have a pretty healthy diet

And aren’t smoking weed or injecting crystal meth or heroin!!

 

[Sophiedoodle]

And aren’t smoking weed or injecting crystal meth or heroin!!

I would hope not!!

 

[snowbunny]

My girls have all eaten human on occasion, and have never been ill from it. It's just minging.
Where we come across it tends to be way up in the mountains, though, and so you'd assume that most people who have hiked for hours to get there aren't injecting themselves full of dodgy drugs

 

[SwampDonkey]

Moo ate human poo so did my other dogs. Moo like to roll in it too. You just have to he careful of druggies poo,. That can make em ill

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Carbon LOVES human poo as well. Makes me want to rolf but the 2-3 times he has 'dined' he had no ill effects.

 

[Shaz82]

Why do they like it? It seems more appetising than doggie poo which Maisy doesn't bother with.
Ugghh!

 

[SwampDonkey]

The fresher the better though, old poo of whatever type is a no no. Eating poo is what dogs are designed to do, garbage control old skool style

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Oreo doesn’t tend to eat other dogs poo, she does love horse poop though!
As I said I’m not even sure if they did eat any but it’s always a worry! I feel reassured now that others have had this experience and had no issues!

 

[Shaz82]

I feel reassured now that others have had this experience and had no issues!

One of the joys of this forum, my mind has been put to rest lots of times through the input of all the other labby people.

 

[MellowYellow]

There is nothing so likely to turn your stomach as when your dog gives you a loving ear lick, and you think 'hmmmm, what IS that smell???'... and then notice the bit of toilet paper in the corner of her mouth.

I speak from experience, unfortunately.

 

[SwampDonkey]

You've got very posh feral poopers round your way. Toilet paper now that's someone planning to poop in a field

 

[snowbunny]

I find the smell to be the dead giveaway. And the inevitable brown teeth. Eugh!
The girls all eat sheep poo and wild boar poo (wild boar poopcicles are a special favourite for Willow) but the only one who eats dog poo is Squidge, and that's only from a couple of dogs, one (W&S's sister Annie) who is fed crappy kibble and whose poo stinks awfully, and the other (a friend's GR) who is on a zero animal protein food, because she became sensitive to all animal proteins after she was poisoned many years ago.

Nothing is worse than the human, though. Nothing.

 

[Atemas]

Oh yak . To my knowledge neither dog has snaffled human poo (hope I haven’t tempted fate). Sky used to be dreadful with the dog poo though. I remember when we first muzzled her, I went to take it off and she’d obviously buried her nose into some as the muzzle was covered in it at the snout bit - nice . Fortunately it never happened again

 

[FayRose]

Eeeeeyuckkk at the very thought. Luckily, I've never come across this ... hopefully. However all our dogs have been hugely keen on cat poo and I think that is exceedingly pongy to have breathed over you, particularly at breakfast time

 

[Anne123]

Oreo doesn’t tend to eat other dogs poo, she does love horse poop though!
As I said I’m not even sure if they did eat any but it’s always a worry! I feel reassured now that others have had this experience and had no issues!

Be careful with horse poop too. If they have been dewormed it is not got for our dogs, so never let her eat horse poop too...

 

[Sophiedoodle]

so never let her eat horse poop too...

Yes I will always call her away and get her to drop any if she picked some up!