Guides

Why Dogs Roll in Poo and Dead Things, and What To Do

If your dog's idea of a perfect walk is finding the smelliest thing in the field and wearing it home, you're in good company. Rolling in fox poo, dead fish and worse is one of the most common walking problems there is, and it's usually funnier for the dog than for you. It's mostly just smelly, but there are a few genuine health risks worth knowing about, along with some practical ways to cut down on it.

• Natural dog behaviour
• Real health risks
• Keep worming up to date

TL;DR — key points

• Nobody knows exactly why dogs roll in smelly things, but it’s a natural behaviour and many dogs simply seem to enjoy it
• Fox poo can carry intestinal parasites and bacteria, so keep your dog wormed and wash your hands afterwards
• Dead or sick wild birds can carry bird flu, which can infect dogs, so keep dogs away from them, their droppings and feathers
• Dead fish and other carcasses can carry worms, so don’t let your dog eat or chew them
• A ‘leave it’ command, keeping a lead handy near water and wildlife, and spotting the warning signs all help
• Pet shop shampoos made for the job are the best first step for cleaning up

Quick reference only — this is a shortened summary, not medical advice. For anything urgent, read the full guide below and contact your vet.

Why do dogs do it?

Nobody can say for certain, and a vet writing for Vet Help Direct says it's probably a mix of reasons. One theory is that it's an old instinct to cover their own scent. Another is that it's a way of carrying a scent back to the pack, or of leaving their own smell on something, as if to say they were here. And perhaps the most likely reason is that it's simply fun, because dogs have powerful noses and strong smells may be like perfume or aftershave to them.

It isn't naughtiness, and it isn't something dogs do to wind you up. It's worth bearing in mind that shouting or yanking your dog away is unlikely to put them off, as the attention can even become part of the fun.

Is it actually harmful?

Usually it's just smelly, but not always. Foxes carry a lot of intestinal parasites, many of which can infect dogs, and hookworm in particular can cause a poor appetite, diarrhoea and anaemia. Poo also carries bacteria that can upset a dog's tummy, and people can pick things up too, so wash your hands after handling a dog who has rolled in it, and keep children, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system away from the dog until they're clean.

The vet at Vet Help Direct says that as long as a dog is fully wormed and you don't let people touch the poo, the risk is quite low, which is another good reason to keep up with my worming guide.

Dead animals are a different matter. Dogs can catch roundworm and tapeworm from eating animal carcasses, and anything decomposing can carry bacteria, so it's best they don't roll in it, let alone eat it.

Dead and sick wild birds are a particular worry. The government's advice is that bird flu viruses can infect dogs, that ducks, geese, swans and gulls are at higher risk of carrying it than garden birds, and that you should stop your dog having close contact with dead or sick wild birds, or their droppings, feathers and carcasses, and prevent them eating, chewing or playing with them. If your dog does become unwell, tell your vet if they've been in contact with wild birds.

Where it tends to happen

Foxes are widespread, so fox poo can turn up almost anywhere, especially in the countryside. Places with water and wildlife are the other hotspot. Around Nene Park and Ferry Meadows, for example, dogs can come across dead fish and birds along the water's edge, and this is where I'd keep a closer eye on what your dog is sniffing. My guide to the best places to walk dogs in Peterborough covers Ferry Meadows, and the water safety guide has more on what to watch for around lakes and rivers.

How to cut down on it

• Use a lead in places where you know there's a problem, so you can steer your dog away from anything smelly. It's especially worth having one handy around lakes and wildlife.
• Watch for the warning signs. Many dogs lower their head and body just before they roll, which gives you a moment to step in.
• Teach a reliable ‘leave it’. Practise at home first with a treat in a closed hand, rewarding your dog for backing away, then add the command as they move away. Build up to treats on the floor and further from you, never letting them have the treat if they dive for it, and only then try it outside.
• Swap the smelly thing for a treat or a game when your dog turns away from it, and keep that reward worth having.
• Keep worming up to date. PDSA says more frequent worming may be needed for dogs who scavenge a lot.

Cleaning up afterwards

Fox poo is hard to remove and the smell lingers. The vet at Vet Help Direct recommends trying shampoos made specifically for removing fox poo from dogs, which pet shops sell, first, and odour eliminator for the smell in the house. Wear gloves if you can, keep your dog out of the house until they've had a wash, and wash your hands afterwards. I'd stick to products made for dogs rather than unproven home remedies, and your vet can advise if your dog's skin looks sore afterwards.

If your dog has eaten something dead, or is sick, has diarrhoea or seems unwell afterwards, ring your vet for advice, and tell them if there's been any contact with wild birds.

It does happen to the best of us and the best-behaved dogs, and a good shampoo and a bit of planning take most of the sting out of it. If you've got a dog who needs a bit of extra management on walks, message me and we can talk about it.

Where this advice comes from

If you'd like to read the original advice in full:

• Vet Help Direct on why dogs roll in fox poo (written by a vet)
• GOV.UK on bird flu: how to keep pets safe
• PDSA on worms in dogs