coprophilagic

Question
I am walking two Cairns for someone else. It seems they are suddenly getting a taste for feces. I have been walking them for months and it seems it started recently. Does it mean they aren't getting enough protein? What does it mean? Is there anything I can give them to stop?

Thank you,
David

Answer
It's odd for two dogs to develop this trait at the same time, however one might simply be following the other's behavior.  You need to avoid areas where there are feces (obviously).  This is an idiopathic disorder although isolated instances can have physical causes.  It's not very likely that both dogs developed the same health issue at the same time.  Ask the owner if s/he has ever seen this behavior and, as diplomatically as you can, ask what s/he is feeding the dogs.  Coprophagia can be seen in dogs who are being starved but I doubt someone who is starving their dogs would pay a dog walker.