Forbid Dog Poop Deterrent – Does It Really Work?

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[UPDATED July 2021]

One of the many problems that dog owners will face in their dog ownership lifetime is dealing with a dog that eats poop! If you’ve landed here, chances are you are dealing with this very problem.

I myself am the owner of a poop eater! Yes, it’s disgusting, and yes I have tried everything possible to stop my dog from eating poop. So far, nothing has worked. I recently have learned of a product called Forbid dog poop deterrent.

Being determined to get my dog to stop eating poop, I am willing to learn more about this coprophagia deterrent.

I heard about Forbid from a group that I am a part of on social media. Someone recommended this product to another member who has a poop eater and said it is amazing!

Well, I always do my research before I try out something new. If you’re anything like me, you will want to find out everything you can about this product.

Keep reading to find out what Forbid is and if it is safe, and if it actually works.

Why Do Dogs Have To Eat Poop Anyway?

First of all, I’d like to say that if you have a poop-eating dog you’re not alone! It is more common than you think!

I used to think that I was one of the only dog owners who had a poop-eating dog. My dog Ellie does not eat her own poop but instead finds other dogs’ poop tasty, but only a select few.

I would see other dog owners walking their dogs off-leash on a trail and the dogs would just pass by the dog poop, whereas if I let my Ellie off-leash she would run and eat the poop! Very frustrating indeed!

But, the more I got talking to other dog owners, the more I learned that most dogs partake in this disgusting habit. Whether it’s eating their own poop or other dogs’ poop, it is very common, and dog owners are just too embarrassed to talk about it.

In a previous article that I wrote, why do dogs eat dog poop? I address this issue in more detail and provide 13 reasons why dogs eat poop.

But, basically, the reasons come down to either being a medical issue or a behavioural issue. If you haven’t read the article yet, I suggest you check it out to find out why your dog is eating dog poop.

What Is Forbid Dog Poop Deterrent?

Just as the name implies Forbid, also known as For-Bid, is a product designed to prevent your dog from eating poop.

It is an easy-to-use powder that you sprinkle onto your dog’s food.

The powder is a highly purified crystalline protein fraction that you mix with your dog’s food. Once consumed by your dog, Forbid goes through your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, and the purified vegetable protein fraction and sodium glutamate are digested, and end up in your dog’s feces.

Forbid gives your dog’s feces a pungent taste, which your dog will be turned off by, and in turn, this will discourage your dog from eating the poop.

Is Forbid Safe To Use On All Dogs, Even Puppies?

Forbid is safe to use on dogs and puppies and can be used on cats too.

It is made in the USA from high-quality ingredients. It consists of 2 ingredients: wheat gluten and monosodium glutamate.

For-Bid was the first product to be recognized as a treatment for coprophagia, and it remains the number one recommended product.

It has helped dogs all around the world, and it has been vet recommended for over 40 years.

It is safe and effective, and it does not alter your dog’s normal digestive process.

There are some cautions to consider:

• If your dog is on any special dietary need or has any medical issues, then you should consult your vet before using For-Bid.

• Make sure your dog is not on any steroid medication, as steroids may counteract the effects of For-Bid.

How Much Do I Give My Dog?

The dosage requirements are as follows:

Puppies & Small Dogs 3-20 Pounds:

Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon (1/4 packet) of For-Bid onto your dog’s food once in the morning, and once at night for 5 days, or until the poop eating stops.

Medium & Large Dogs 20-100+ Pounds

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon (1/2 packet) of For-Bid onto your dog’s food once in the morning, and once at night for 5-6 days, or until the poop eating stops.

Forbid can be used on dry food or wet food. If you are using it on dry food (kibble), moisten the food with water before you sprinkle For-Bid powder on it.

How Soon Until My Dog Stops Eating Poop?

So according to the dosage instructions, this should prevent your dog from eating poop within 5-6 days.

However, if your dog’s unwanted behaviour continues or starts up again the directions say to sprinkle a pinch (1 gram) of For-Bid onto your dog’s food once a day for 2-3 weeks.

Does Forbid Actually Work? [Pros & Cons]

As a desperate owner of a poop-eating dog, I want to know if this product will actually work!

This product does get mixed reviews, but the majority of reviewers say that Forbid has worked very well for them.

Pros:

• Many users of this product say it has helped their dog stop eating poop. Their dog only sniffs their poop but doesn’t eat it.
• It is easy to use and is vet recommended.
• One user said Forbid is the best poop deterrent out there, after trying many other products, Forbid was the only thing that worked.
• Forbid is safe to use and will not affect your dog’s digestive tract or alter the taste of their food.

Cons:

• This can work for some dogs and not work for others.
• It may take some dogs longer to see results. Some dogs may stop eating poop within a few days, or a week, and some dogs may take a month. One reviewer said it took 3 months for her dog to stop eating poop.
• Some reviewers say this product works, but once their dog is off the product, the poop eating starts back up.

It seems that Forbid is pretty much a hit-or-miss kind of product. It can work very well for some dogs and then not work at all for others.

I guess it depends on how used to this disgusting habit your dog is. If your dog is a puppy or fairly young you may have a better chance of stopping this unwanted behaviour.

If your dog has been eating poop for many years, then it may be more difficult to get your dog to stop this behaviour.

Is Forbid Right For Your Dog?

Forbid might work well for your dog if:

• Your dog consumes his/her own feces.
• You have multiple dogs at home, and they eat each other’s feces or their own. Each dog will need to be on Forbid, in order for it to be effective.
• Your dog consumes your cat’s feces. Your cat will need to be on Forbid in order for it to work.

Forbid will not work for your dog if:

• Your dog does not consume his/her own feces but instead consumes other dogs’ feces.

It looks as though Forbid will not work for my Golden Retriever Ellie. She does not eat her own poop, but rather has an acquired taste for the poop of other dogs. So unless all dogs everywhere are on Forbid, this will not work for me.

Other Solutions To Stop Your Dog’s Nasty Habit

If you have a dog that eats its own poop, then you might have great success with the Forbid dog poop deterrent. You could also try some of these other suggestions:

• Keep your dog’s living space clean and poop-free. Clean up your dog’s poop in the yard so there is no chance of him eating it.

• Train your dog out of this behaviour, by working on the “leave it” command.

• Supervise your dog on walks, keep him on a leash so that he doesn’t run to eat poop.

• Provide your dog with plenty of daily activity and mental stimulation, because poop eating can be a sign of boredom.

• Try an E-collar, it is an electronic dog collar used for training.

Final Thoughts On Forbid Dog Poop Deterrent

As an owner of a poop eater, I know exactly how frustrating this behaviour is. I myself have tried pretty much everything! I do everything right, my dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, I feed a high-quality well-balanced diet, and supervise her on walks.

I have even tried a training collar, but she still ate poop while wearing it. For me, the best solution has been to keep her on a leash and prevent her from eating other dogs’ poop, as much as I can. She has still managed to eat the odd poop on occasion.

For some owners, Forbid has been a great product that has stopped their dog from eating poop. If you haven’t tried this product, I would say give it a shot. It may just be the “miracle” product for your dog.

What About You?

Have you tried Forbid dog poop deterrent? Does your dog eat his/her own poop or the poop of other animals? What other dog poop deterrents have you tried?

Let’s talk poop! I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Please share them below.