Why Do Dogs Roll in Fox Poo?

Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of catching your dog rolling in fox poo?

Dogs are loyal, devoted, and it’s a known fact they love us more than their kind. We’ve all read and heard heart-warming stories of how dogs would trek across the country to reunite with their lost owner; or how they’d sacrifice themselves to protect their humans.

Dogs can have some not so loveable traits too. The one most annoying habit Toro my three-year old miniature schnauzer has is rolling in fox poo (or worse). Two incidents remain seared in my memory. One is of him speed-diving into a fresh pile during a late-evening walk. The second and hopefully the last, is of him romping happily in bushes only to emerge a minute later looking startled but rather pleased with himself. He had managed to smear himself from head to tail in something more stomach-churning than fox excrement.

We had apparently drifted into an area strange folks and the rip-roarious would for lack of a better word, let loose. He was smothered in human waste.

As a dog owner, I consider myself competent enough to manage many off-lead situations. I can handle the occasional park brawls and scuffles, the incessant scavenging, and the sudden barking and chasing passers-by he finds suspicious. But that, took me to a different level.

Remedial actions called for great fortitude and an even greater sponge. The stench was thick enough to singe my nostril hair. It took five cycles of shampoo-and-rinse and much elbow grease before he was fresh and clean again.

So why do dogs love to roll in fox poo?

Humans first domesticated dogs around 15,000 years ago and have lived side-by-side with them ever since.  According to a BBC report, one would easily find extensive published research and books about dog behaviour; yet hardly any provides insights into this specific affinity. It seems dogs will roll in just about anything, from fox and badger faeces to geese droppings and even dead fish.

There are various versions and theories about this behaviour. The most accepted theory is that dogs were wild animals and their ancestors used to roll in the faeces, and even carcasses of animals, to mask their smell or to confuse their prey. Dogs are descendants of wolves, and in the wild, wolves still roll in other animal poo, bringing the scent back to their pack. Some scientists say this behaviour allows wolves to share pack information about different animals in their vicinity and to hide from prey as they close in for the kill.

Sharing an odour to increase the sense of ‘togetherness’ has also been seen in African wild dogs.  Females will roll in the urine of males they are seeking to join.  Wild dogs in a pack will also regularly rub against each other’s scent glands to pick up each other’s scent.

Research believes rolling in poo is nothing but a vestigial act that makes dogs feel good by exhibiting behavioural patterns similar to their wild ancestors. It is a great sensation and gives them a kick as anyone who has watched their dog’s gleeful reaction after the act will understand. If it is indeed a behaviour from their evolutionary past that was linked to survival, it has certainly evolved to one that brings them an exceptional feeling of fun and joy!

Scrub-a-dub-dub, Getting Your Dog in the Tub

No matter how annoying your dog gets, they always weasel their way back to your heart after the worst misdeeds.

If you’ve had a similar encounter, fret not. There are many excellent products today that can help remove all traces of this unfortunate doggy business of rolling in fox poo (or worse).

There’s the first response products, where you need to react now because your beloved dog is standing in front of you, filthy and all too pleased with themselves. Carrying a pack of wet-wipes or an old flannel and your trusty water bottle can see the worst removed straight away, and sprinkling dry dog shampoo onto the offending area can remove the worst of the stench until you’ve got chance to get them home and into the bath. If they’re scratching and uncomfortable, applying itch relief treatment can also be a great help.

Then when you’ve got the facilities to give them a proper cleaning, you can really go to town with the full spa treatment! We’ve got a fantastic selection of dog shampoos, conditioners, paw salves, dental kits, and ear cleaners that will get your dog clean and smelling great in no time!

And hopefully, you won’t have a repeat of catching your dog rolling in fox poo again!