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One of the most frustrating things about being a dog owner is that our dogs sometimes love to roll in the most repulsive things! Dogs enjoy exploring nature's scents, and fox poo is no exception!
Unfortunately, fox poo has a pungent, musky odour that can be extremely difficult to get rid of.
But if your dog has rolled in fox poo, don't panic. In this guide, we're shedding light on why our dogs do it, how to eliminate the smell and how to prevent them from rolling in it in the future.
Table of contents:
How to stop a dog rolling in fox poo
Why do dogs roll in fox poo?
Although there's no definitive answer to why dogs roll in fox poo, there are a few theories.
Ancestrally, wild dogs would roll in the faeces to mask their scent from their prey. By doing this, they could stalk and hunt prey without alerting their acute sense of smell. However, as foxes would've also hunted similar prey, it's unclear as to why fox poo would be their chosen scent, as opposed to the faeces of more domestic, harmless animals, such as sheep.
There is another theory, however, that this innate behaviour happens purely because, much to our displeasure, dogs actually like the smell of fox poo! Dogs have powerful noses and are fascinated by strong scents, so rolling in fox poo to them equates to the spraying of perfume or aftershave before we head out for the day.
Why does fox poo smell so bad?
Most animal faeces have a distinctive scent, but when it comes to fox poo, it's the musk-like liquid the fox excretes from its scent glands that cause the faeces to have such a pungent odour.
Like a skunk, every time a fox does its business, it secretes this liquid from its glands. So, when your dog rolls in fox poo, not only is its coat taking on the scent of the faeces, but it's also absorbing the smell of the secreted liquid.
Is fox poo dangerous to dogs?
Whilst your dog might struggle to fight its instincts when it comes to rolling in fox poo, unfortunately, doing so can put their health at risk.
Three main issues can result from dogs exploring areas known to be filled with foxes.
Mange
Mange is a mite infestation that can cause a dog's skin to become sore and irritated. Dogs with mange could exhibit signs and symptoms such as scratching and rashes and, in some extreme cases, develop a lack of appetite and a fever.
Untreated, dogs could lose all their fur or, in the worst-case scenario, suffer complications. However, you can rest assured that your dog won't contract mange simply from rolling in fox poo, as the infestation requires direct contact with an infected fox.
Bites
If your dog gets bitten by a fox, it could be subject to infection. If you notice your dog being a little feverish or has bite wounds that look red, itchy, full of puss or scabbing over, consult your vet immediately so they can be treated to prevent infection.
Toxocariasis (roundworm) and other types of parasitic worms
The main and most severe risk associated with fox poo is your dog's increased risk of ingesting parasites such as roundworm, hookworm and lungworm.
If your dog can regularly be found rolling in or ingesting fox faeces, they could become infected by any of these parasitic worms, which, when eaten, can survive in certain areas of your dog's body and cause many problems to their health.
Roundworm
Roundworms are intestinal parasites that live in a dog's digestive system. If your dog has roundworms, you may notice a loss of appetite, a dull coat, vomiting, a swollen abdomen, weakness, weight loss, gagging, anaemia, a distended stomach or pneumonia.
You can spot roundworms in your dog's faeces; look for spaghetti-type worms. Roundworm can be fatal if left untreated, particularly in elderly dogs or young puppies. So, if you spot any of the signs, consult your vet.
Hookworm
If your dog becomes infected with hookworm, they may show the following symptoms: lethargy, anorexia, anaemia and diarrhoea.
Lungworm
With lungworm, larvae grow inside the dog and move through the body to live in the heart, affecting its functionality, which can be fatal. Lungworm is more commonly spread when dogs eat slugs and snails that have fed on infected fox poo.
The best way to protect your dog from parasitic worms is to stay on top of their worming treatment. If you're unsure of the treatment your dog will need, consult your vet for further advice.
How to clean fox poo
Due to its intense nature, fox poo is a notoriously difficult smell to get rid of. However with the correct products and methods in place, you'll have your dog smelling fresh again.
If your dog is due a bath, then a good antibacterial shampoo, such as Aqueous Antibacterial Dog Shampoo, is a great choice for neutralising and removing fox poo and its related odours. Gentle on the skin, it's suitable for dogs of all ages, leaving their coats clean, soft and smelling fresh.
If bath time isn't around the corner, or you need extra help eliminating the odour, choose Groomers De-Fox-It Spray.
De-Fox-It is a deep foaming cleanser that removes grease and caked-on soil from your dog's coat and contains a powerful antibacterial agent and an oxidising compound which work together to clean and leave your dog smelling fresh.
The good news is that De-Fox-It can also be used on your upholstery! Simply spray onto the affected area (whether your dog's fur or your favourite rug), then wipe and remove with a damp cloth. For particularly stubborn stained upholstery, leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing or wiping it off.
How to stop a dog from rolling in fox poo
It's difficult for dogs to fight their primal instinct, so unfortunately, there's no quick fix to prevent your dog from rolling in fox poo. In most cases, dogs will choose instinct over obedience, meaning the only real way to prevent your dog from rolling in fox poo is to keep them on a lead in areas where they often return from exploring covered in fox faeces.
Dogs deserve their freedom, so why not explore new routes and places where your dog is less likely to roll?
If avoiding fox faeces is unavoidable, ensure your dog's worming treatment is up to date to prevent them from catching anything should they be unable to resist the urge to roll, and make sure you stock up with plenty of antibacterial shampoo and De-Fox-It spray, should the inevitable happen!
Keep your dogs fresh and clean at home or in the salon with Groomers
Whatever your dog or your client's dogs have encountered, be prepared to keep them fresh and clean by stocking up on our specialist shampoos, conditioners and fragrance sprays at Groomers. From neutralising odours to caring for specific coat and skin needs, you'll find everything you need when you shop with us.
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