Few sights unsettle a dog owner quite like watching their beloved companion eat feces. Even the most attentive, caring owners find themselves asking the same questions: Why is my dog doing this? Is something wrong with their health? Why do dogs eat other dogs’ poop?
The behavior, known as coprophagia, isn’t always a red flag, but it isn’t something to dismiss either. It can stem from deeply rooted instincts, learned habits, or underlying medical conditions. Knowing the difference matters. A dog eating poop occasionally may simply be acting on an ancestral drive; a dog doing it compulsively may be signaling a nutritional gap, digestive issue, or stress response that deserves attention.
This guide is written for everyday dog owners who want straightforward, practical answers. You’ll understand what actually drives this behavior, how to assess whether your dog’s situation warrants a vet visit, and what steps you can take to kick the habit.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
Before you can address the behavior, it helps to understand why dogs eat poop. Coprophagia can have roots in both behavioral patterns and underlying health issues. Sometimes both are at play.
1. Attention-Seeking
Dogs are smart, and they quickly learn what gets a reaction. If your dog has discovered that eating poop brings you running, he may repeat the behavior simply to engage you. Negative attention is still attention!
2. Boredom or Confinement
A bored dog is a creative dog, and not always in ways you’d hope. Dogs that spend long stretches alone with limited stimulation may turn to poop eating simply to occupy themselves.
3. Anxiety and Stress
For some dogs, poop eating is a coping mechanism. Separation anxiety, fear-based stress, or even the pressure of potty training can push a dog toward eating feces as a way to self-soothe. In some cases, dogs undergoing house training may eat their stool to “hide the evidence” and avoid being scolded — making punishment-based training approaches particularly counterproductive.
4. Intestinal Parasites
Parasites can trigger poop eating in a couple of ways. First, certain parasites actively siphon nutrients from your dog’s digestive system, leaving him perpetually undernourished and searching for more… in their poop. Your first move should be a visit to the veterinarian to ensure that your pet’s health is not the cause behind this behavior.
5. Calorie Restriction or Hunger
Sometimes the explanation is straightforward: dogs eat poop because they are hungry. Whether he’s not being fed enough, losing out to a companion dog at mealtimes, or experiencing increased appetite due to a medication like steroids or certain antihistamines, an empty stomach can lead him straight to the nearest available food source — even if that source is his own poop. Talk to your vet about their diet.
6. Nutritional deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies can lead to coprophagia. When adult dogs eat poop, it may indicate they aren’t getting the nutrients they need.
This might be because they are being fed a poorly balanced diet, they aren’t getting enough to eat, or they have a medical condition that decreases their ability to absorb nutrients. For example, they might have a deficiency of digestive enzymes, or they might have parasites that are siphoning off the nutrients.
In addition, dogs that begin eating feces of a particular dog might be doing so because that dog is not digesting his food properly, and therefore, his stools still contain excess nutrients. Certain illnesses can also change either the smell or texture of your dog’s poop to make it more appealing to them.
7. Instinct
A study conducted at the University of California offered an evolutionary explanation for the behavior of coprophagia. They suggested that it may be the result of behaviors inherited from a dog’s wolf ancestors.
They noted that the patterns in coprophagia involved behaviors directed at feces that were no older than two days old. The authors suggested that it could be an instinctual behavior to clean a den of potentially infectious poop.
Certain parasite ova are not initially infective, but they develop infective larvae after two days. Therefore, the strategy of eating the poop before the larvae develop may potentially help reduce the parasite load of the animals in that den.
Is eating poop dangerous for dogs?
It depends. A dog that occasionally eats stool is in a very different situation from one that does it compulsively. Frequency matters, but so does the source. Eating their own feces carries different risks than consuming stool from other dogs, cats, or wildlife. When the behavior is repetitive or followed by symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, it’s time to involve a vet.
Here are the key health risks to know:
- Parasite Transmission: Feces can carry roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and Giardia eggs. Consuming stool from other animals significantly raises the chance of ingesting infectious larvae or cysts.
- Bacterial Infections: Stool can harbor Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. Some of these are zoonotic, meaning your dog can pass them to you and other members of your household.
- Gastrointestinal Upset: Even without parasites or bacteria, ingesting feces can disrupt your dog’s gut flora and trigger vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating.
- Toxin Exposure: Cat feces may contain residual medications, and wildlife droppings can carry pesticides or rodenticides.
- Disease Transmission: Stool from a sick animal can expose your dog to whatever illness that animal is carrying. Parvovirus and other serious conditions can survive in feces long enough to infect a dog that consumes or even contacts contaminated stool.
How can you stop a dog from eating poop?
While the first thing to do if your dog is eating poop is to check with your veterinarian, there are several other strategies you can use to deter poop-eating behavior in dogs. Let’s take a look at what you can do to help resolve this behavior.
Supervise and immediately clean the environment
The first thing to do is pick up your dog’s poop right away.
Do you have a cat at home? Even if he is eating dog poop, don’t encourage poop-eating behavior by allowing him access to the cat’s litter box. Keep the litter box out of reach from your puppy.
Prevent scavenging
If your dog likes to scavenge poop while you’re out with them, you can use these kinds of strategies:
- Basket Muzzles: These are great for dogs who like to grab feces on the go. A basket covers your dog’s face so that he can’t eat poop. He may, however, still smear feces all over the muzzle.
- Field Guards: These are similar to a muzzle, but they are specifically designed to protect your dog’s face and mouth in areas where foxtails are prevalent. They also have the added benefit of preventing coprophagia; however, your dog may still smear poop all over them.
- Head Collars: These are similar to the halter you use on a horse, but they’re made for dogs. They allow you to pull his head up when he tries to eat poop.
Adjust feeding schedule
If your dog is consuming feces because he’s not getting enough food, he may need more food or to be fed more frequently. This can reduce his hunger and scavenging behavior, but it’s advisable to check with your veterinarian first before making any changes to his diet.
Provide balanced nutrition
If your vet determines your dog’s poop-eating habit is caused by nutritional deficiencies, work with them to find an appropriate diet.
Improve mental and physical enrichment
If your dog is eating poop because he’s bored, you might need to increase his mental enrichment. You might consider brain games for dogs, getting outdoors with him more often, and even training programs to give him something to do.
Train Your Dog to “Leave It”
Lock down the “leave it” cue.
- Take a pocket full of treats when you’re with your puppy dog on a leash.
- Approach the cue — a pile of poo or litter box — but not close enough that your dog can eat it.
- When they notice the poo, wait for them to turn their head away from it.
- When they turn their head away, say “Yes!” Or, if you use a clicker, give it a click, and immediately reward your dog for essentially turning away from the poo.
- Repeat this numerous times to condition your dog to avoid poo.
What Is the Best Dog Food for Poop Eaters?
For several reasons, it’s vital to feed your dog a high-quality, well-balanced diet that is appropriate for his age, activity levels, and health condition.
Studies have shown that coprophagia is related to thiamine deficiencies. We’ve already discussed how the behavior can be caused by malabsorption of the nutrients in the food they’re eating. This emphasizes the importance of eating a good, balanced diet is for maintaining your pet’s health.
Aside from high-quality vitamins and minerals, a high fiber content may make your dog’s poop less appealing for eating. This can be accomplished by supplementation of your pet’s diet with canned pumpkin and green vegetables or even a small amount of well-cooked grains.
Other Poop-Eating Deterrents You Can Use
In addition to a well-balanced diet, some other nutritional products prevent dogs eat poop. Here’s a list of things you might consider adding to your pet’s nutritional regimen, but as mentioned, it’s always best to consult with your vet before making dietary changes.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Prebiotic and probiotic supplements may help keep your dog’s digestive system functioning like a well-oiled machine. They will help your dog have regular bowel movements and support healthy gut flora.
Digestive Enzymes
These are products, such as Forbid, that contain pancreatic and other digestive enzymes. If your dog is having problems with absorption, this may help. These are typically only available by prescription, however, so you’ll need to check with your vet.
Vitamin B Supplements
Dogs with malabsorption issues often have a Vitamin B deficiency. Of course, your veterinarian will be able to tell you if this is a problem in your dog’s case. If so, they might recommend high-quality Vitamin B supplements. That may mean injections or dietary additives.
Help your dog’s feeding behaviors
When a dog repeatedly eats poop, the body is often signaling something. Coprophagia may be tied to poor nutrient absorption, incomplete satiety, or digestive discomfort, rather than disobedience. A dog whose gut isn’t processing food efficiently may feel perpetually hungry, and scavenging becomes a way to compensate.
Consistent feeding schedules and a complete, highly digestible diet can reduce that drive over time. When nutrition is fully absorbed, less passes through undigested, which makes stool both less appealing and less nutritionally compelling for eating.
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FAQ
How common is poop eating behavior in dogs?
A study conducted by the University of California’s Center for Companion Animal Health found that approximately 23% of dogs will eat poop at least once in their life. About 16% of the over 1,500 dogs in the study were described as frequent stool eaters.
Why do dogs eat their own poop?
Is it normal for dogs to eat poop? Yes and no. Here are three main reasons.
Instinct is especially common in puppies, who often mimic the den-cleaning behavior of mother dogs. Many simply grow out of this puppy stage.
Behavioral triggers include boredom, stress, anxiety, and attention-seeking.
Medical and digestive issues are worth ruling out when the behavior starts suddenly in an adult dog. Intestinal parasites, enzyme deficiencies, malabsorption conditions, and hunger can all leave a dog nutritionally unsatisfied.
If the behavior is new, frequent, or paired with other symptoms, start with a vet visit.
How long does it take for dogs to stop eating poop once corrected?
There is no single timeline as it depends on what’s driving the habit in the first place. When coprophagia stems from a medical issue like intestinal parasites, improvement often follows once the underlying condition is treated. Behavioral causes tend to take longer, requiring consistent training, environmental changes, and patience before the habit fades. In general, most owners may see meaningful improvement within a few weeks to a few months of addressing the root cause.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
