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Eating poop, also called coprophagia, may seem strange and unsanitary to you, but it’s relatively common for dogs to do, especially when they’re puppies.
Since dogs are foragers by nature, they often eat things that you might not necessarily consider healthy, or even appropriate, says Renee Rhoades, an applied animal behaviorist at R+Dogs. “We may not like to hear it, but it’s absolutely normal for dogs to eat feces,” she confirms.
Dogs might eat their own poop, or another animal’s feces, for a variety of behavioral, health, or medical reasons. Read on to learn why dogs eat poop, possible health risks of this behavior, and how to keep your dog from eating poop.
12 Reasons Why Dogs Eat Poop
Dogs eat poop for several behavioral, nutritional, environmental, and health-related reasons.
Behavior-related causes
- Curiosity and exploration: Puppies are curious and tend to like gross, smelly things, says Dr. Nell Ostermeier, veterinarian and spokesperson for Figo Pet Insurance. Dogs explore the world with their mouths, so they might eat poop because it smells interesting.
- Attention-seeking behavior: Since poop-eating usually earns a startled response from pet parents, dogs might eat poop in order to get attention from you or start playtime.
- Anxiety or stress: Some dogs may eat poop if they have separation anxiety, and dogs with anxiety may eat their poop to conceal it. Dogs are more likely to eat their poop if they’ve been punished for accidents in the past. So, if your dog eats poop in the house and then eat it, this often means they are trying to hide the accident.
- Imitation: If one dog in a multi-dog household tends to eat poop, other dogs are more likely to pick up the habit. Young puppies also often learn this behavior from their mothers, who eat their feces to keep the puppies clean and reduce the risk of parasites.
Nutrition-related causes
- Lack of certain nutrients: If an adult dog regularly tries to eat poop on walks, they could have a nutritional deficiency, Dr. Ostermeier says. In some rare cases, a vitamin B deficiency may lead to coprophagia. Dogs may also eat poop simply because they’re hungry. Most dogs eating commercial dog food that meets AAFCO standards won’t be malnourished, but neglected rescues or dogs on a homemade diet may have a higher risk of malnourishment.
- Digestive enzyme deficiency: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that affects the pancreas and its ability to produce digestive enzymes. Without adequate enzymes, a dog’s body cannot absorb nutrients properly. This condition may lead to weight loss and diarrhea. Some dogs with EPI may also eat feces.
Health-related causes
- Parasites and infections. Parasites like roundworm and hookworm can compromise a dog’s nutritional intake, and they may begin eating poop as a result.
- Diabetes and thyroid problems: Dogs may have an increased appetite that leads to poop eating if they develop certain health conditions, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or Cushing’s disease. Canine cognitive dysfunction may also lead to poop eating.
- Malabsorption syndromes: Some digestive disorders can affect your dog’s ability to absorb nutrients. Dogs with a malabsorption syndrome may try to get the nutrients they need elsewhere, which may lead them to eat poop.
Environment-related causes
- Unsanitary living conditions: In the wild, wolves eat their poop to keep their dens fresh, and many experts believe dogs inherited this behavior from their lupine ancestors. If your yard is filled with stale droppings, your pup may feel the need to tidy up.
- Lack of supervision: Dogs left alone, whether outside or in a crate, for too long might poop and then eat the poop to keep their space clean.
- Boredom and lack of stimulation: A dog who doesn’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation might chew on all kinds of things—including poop. This behavior gives them a way to interact with their environment and find something interesting to do.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Poop?
Poop eating might be gross, but it won’t always make your dog sick.
Dr. Ostermeier says puppies who eat their own stool have a low risk for health problems.
That said, any dog who eats another animal’s poop regularly has a higher chance of contracting various parasites or microbial organisms. Consuming feces can lead to diseases like E. coli, salmonella, giardia, parvovirus, or intestinal infections.
Since dogs don’t realize poop poses a danger to their health, it’s important for pet parents to stay vigilant and protect their health long-term.
How To Keep Dogs From Eating Poop
Because there’s no one reason a dog has coprophagia, there’s no one solution to the problem. It’s up to dog parents—and, often, their veterinarian—to identify the patterns surrounding the behavior and address them accordingly with strategies that might include dietary intervention, training, or supplements.
Behavioral training
The quickest method is to use a short leash or a safe basket-style muzzle to make foraging more difficult during walks. Teaching your dog the “leave it” command can help stop poop eating.
Teaching this automatic skill can take patience and repetition, but working with a professional trainer or behaviorist can help. Rhoades says an applied animal behaviorist can also help you discover why your dog eats poop and come up with a plan for their individual situation.
It’s important to understand that breaking this habit may take time, so persistence and consistency are key. It’s also essential to stay patient and positive throughout the training process.
Medical treatments and supplements
If your dog eats their own poop, you can try addressing this behavior by making their stool less appealing.
Certain dietary supplements can make your dog’s poop unpleasant to eat while also balancing their gut enzymes, treating bad breath, and providing probiotic support.
Supplements to try include:
If your dog has malabsorption issues or a vitamin B deficiency, your vet may recommend B-complex injections, a multivitamin, or digestive enzymes to help improve the absorption of nutrients.
Important: Always check with your vet before giving your dog a vitamin or supplement. They can offer more guidance with the right dose and length of time to give the supplement.
Meeting their nutritional needs
“Feeding your dog a satiating diet will help prevent them from wanting to eat found items,” Rhoades says.
If you think your dog may need a change of diet, you can start by asking your vet for a recommendation. They can offer more guidance with choosing a quality, balanced diet suitable for your dog’s age, breed, and activity level.
Feeding your dog smaller meals more frequently throughout the day can also help reduce hunger and scavenging behavior. As a result, they may have less interest in eating poop.
You can also try adding small amounts of canned pumpkin, green vegetables, and cooked grains to your dog’s regular meals. These dog-safe human foods may make feces less appealing.
Some limited anecdotal evidence also suggests that fresh pineapple can make poop taste bad to dogs.
Be faster at getting to the poop than your pup
You can also keep your dog from eating poop by supervising them more closely and reducing their time alone outside. Walking your dog on a leash will also restrict their access to poop.
“The best remedy for puppies who eat their own poop is to clean it up before they have the chance to consume it!” Dr. Ostermeier emphasizes.
Providing the right amount of mental and physical enrichment will also make a difference. Enrichment activities help reduce stress and boredom, which makes destructive behavior and poop-eating less likely.
“Activities that fulfill the dog’s natural instincts to scavenge and forage can provide a safe and constructive outlet for this behavior,” Rhoades explains.
If you have a cat, it’s best to ensure your dog can’t access the litter box. Dogs who eat cat feces and cat litter may develop digestive issues. An enclosed or automatic litter box can keep your dog away from cat poop.
Takeaway
If your dog occasionally eats poop, you might be pretty grossed out about the state of their mouth. However, you don’t necessarily need to worry.
Puppies tend to outgrow this habit as they get older, but if your adult dog still eats poop regularly or has suddenly started eating feces when they didn’t before, you’ll want to make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
Your vet can help you figure out why your dog has started eating poop and recommend treatment for any underlying health conditions. If your vet rules out health and dietary causes, a trainer or dog behavior expert can offer support with redirecting this behavior.
