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Whether they’re rolling in the mud or chewing on shoes, puppies are pros at keeping their pet parents guessing. One of the more surprising moves puppies sometimes pull is poop-eating, also called coprophagia.
Luckily, while this behavior may be gross, it’s fairly common among puppies and usually isn’t a sign of something more serious. And there are some tried and true solutions to get your pup to stop.
We spoke with Dr. Wayne M. Johnson, a veterinarian at Birdneck Animal Hospital, to learn more about why puppies eat their poop and what you should do to stop it.
Why Do Puppies Eat Poop?
Puppies often have different reasons for eating poop than adult dogs. They might be:
- mimicking a behavior they’ve seen another dog do
- feeling bored or curious
- acting on stress or anxiety
- making up for a lack of nutrients in their diet
- responding to a health issue like worms
They picked up the behavior from mom
One of the reasons a puppy might eat their own poop is because they’re mimicking the behavior of their mom, Dr. Johnson says. Mother dogs sometimes eat their pups’ poop on instinct. It’s a primal behavior stemming from when they lived in dens and needed to get rid of the smell to prevent predators from coming around.
They may be bored or curious
Some puppies eat their own poop out of curiosity. Puppies explore the world through their mouths, and poop-eating is one way to investigate. They’re likely to grow out of the behavior once the mystery and novelty wears off—or when there’s something better to do.
They could be stressed or anxious
Puppies have a lot of reasons to feel nervous, from being newly separated from their mom and littermates, to learning to be alone in a crate, to adjusting to life in a new house. If the poop eating happens mostly when you have to leave your puppy alone during the day or in a crate overnight, anxiety is likely the culprit.
Iuliia Zavalishina via iStock
They may not be getting enough food or lacking nutrients
Sometimes, puppies eat poop as a result of digestive issues or not getting enough food. Puppies might start eating their own poop because it smells similar to their dog food. They also may be doing it because they lack the vital nutrients they need to grow in their diet. Most commercial kibble and canned dog foods meet AAFCO standards, but it’s always good to double-check or talk with your vet to see if this may be the reason your pup is eating their stool.
They could have a health issue or parasite
While puppies eating their poop usually isn’t serious, it can sometimes be a symptom of a health issue. Stool-eating can be the result of a roundworm or hookworm infection, or diabetes or thyroid issues. If your puppy seems to be losing weight, lethargic, and uninterested in eating their food, contact your vet as soon as possible to get to the root cause.
What To Do If Your Puppy Eats Their Poop
If you’ve caught your pup eating poop, Dr. Johnson says, “First, don’t panic—it’s gross but usually not harmful.” Here’s what to do:
- clean your puppy up
- ensure your pup stays hydrated
- monitor for any signs of illness
- contact your vet if you’re concerned
The first step, clean-up, is pretty easy. “Give them a good rinse or wipe down, especially around the mouth,” says Dr. Johnson. “If they have bad breath afterward, you can brush their teeth or use dental wipes.”
If you notice any weight loss, fatigue, or concerning new symptoms in the next hours or days, you should call your vet to have your pup checked out.
If your puppy is healthy but a serial poop snacker, here’s what to do next.
How To Stop a Puppy from Eating Poop
1. Clean-up quickly
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure to clean up after your pup after every bowel movement to prevent them from eating the stool. This includes on potty pads, walks, or in the backyard.
Dr. Johnson recommends keeping your pup on a consistent feeding schedule to decrease the chances of poops you’re not around to catch.
2. Train cues like “leave it”
Working on simple training queues like “drop it” or “leave it” can help stop your pup from eating poop. When they listen, reward them with a treat or attention.
It’s also important to stay consistent with potty training and always use positive reinforcement tactics to avoid puppies making negative associations.
3. Increase activity and stimulation
For dogs who eat their poop out of boredom, consider increasing their exercise, tiring them out throughout the day with play sessions and fun. “Make sure they’re getting enough attention and stimulation,” advises Dr. Johnson. Along with games of fetch and tug, you can use puzzle toys for mental stimulation.
4. Consider dietary changes
For really determined poop eaters, preventing the behavior may require changes in their diet. It’s best to talk with your vet about your pup’s food to see if it should be changed. There are also vet-recommended supplements your puppy can take if they lack certain nutrients.
