What Does It Mean When a Dog Eats Poop? 8 Tips to Stop It
Dogs may exhibit a range of unusual behaviors that their owners don’t understand. One of these is eating fecal matter, also called coprophagia. It’s not only kind of gross, but you also might think it’s dangerous. Why do dogs eat poop? When should you worry about the habit? Keep reading to learn more.
Is It Normal for Dogs to Eat Poop?
The answer to the question of whether it’s okay for your dog to eat feces depends on several factors. Many animals eat feces to get specific nutrients needed to balance their diets. Canines are also prone to such eating habits at certain stages of their life.
Mother dogs lick their puppies to keep them clean after they toilet. Young pups might also eat their fresh poop or another animal’s poop, such as any left by horses or cats. When it comes to adults, poop eating remains relatively common, with around one in six adult dogs doing so.
Although eating stool is a natural behavior, it shouldn’t be encouraged. Eating the stool of other animals can lead to an invasion of intestinal parasites and the consumption of toxic substances. In addition, feces don’t have any nutritional significance for an adult dog.
Why Do Dogs Eat Their Own Poop? (Top 7 Reasons)
Typically, dog owners see a decline in poop-eating habits in their puppies around the age of 6–9 months. If stool-eating habits persist, you may suspect either a medical or a psychological issue causing the behavior. Let’s review the most common reasons why a dog eats poop.
1. Survival instincts
Consuming feces is, to a degree, an instinctive behavior.
Dogs can eat their own stool to keep their den clean and replenish nutrients, especially during times of food scarcity. While eating the poop of other animals, they can find the leftovers of food that wasn’t digested properly, so it can still bring nutritional value to a dog.
2. Boredom and lack of stimulation
There is scientific evidence suggesting that dogs confined to small places with little to no interaction with other pets or people are more likely to resort to eating poop.
It happens due to the lack of proper mental exercise. That’s why such behavior is common in dogs rescued from crowded animal shelters, where they spend most of their time alone.
Note: this can also happen to well-loved pet dogs if their physical and mental exercise needs aren’t being met.
3. Anxiety and stress
Anxiety is another possible reason for coprophagia. As we’ve discussed above, it can be related to the general anxiety of being confined in a small space. However, some dogs develop the habit of consuming their own feces due to incorrect potty training strategies.
So, if an owner resorts to punishing dogs for accidents at home, the pet may try to hide it. One way to do this is to eat the poop before the owner sees it. The result is often opposite, though, and the dog may get punished for eating their feces. It forms a pattern of undesirable behavior stemming from fear and anxiety.
4. Attention-seeking
When an owner catches their pet consuming feces, it’s something that can rarely go unnoticed.
Although the reaction is primarily adverse, such as yelling and trying to distract a dog, your pet may perceive it as a fun interaction and a way to draw your attention. Don’t lose your cool when you catch your dog red-handed.
5. Habit
Though most dogs outgrow the habit of eating poop, some may struggle with it in adulthood. Such compulsive stool-eating can be a result of improper upbringing, when a puppy doesn’t get enough human interaction and stimulation. Many puppies raised in puppy mills use coprophagia as a form of play, and over time it can become a learned behavior that persists even when the dog's environment changes.
6. Curiosity
Curiosity as a reason for coprophagia is more common if your puppy eats poop.
One of the ways canines explore the world is by using their sense of smell and taste. Feces have a peculiar smell and texture that can draw your pup to try it.
7. Medical and dietary reasons
Sometimes, a dog’s obsession with tasting poop can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Common diseases that can lead to a sudden inclination towards coprophagia include diabetes, parasitic invasion, digestive system issues, or nutritional imbalances. If the behavior appears suddenly, is obsessive, and accompanied by other symptoms of an illness, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
9 Tips on How to Stop a Dog From Eating Poop
If your dog’s poop-eating problem is spiraling out of control, you can help break the habit. Here’s a list of some practical tips to teach your furry companion to stay away from feces.
1. Clean up immediately
If your dog tends to resort to eating poop right after they toilet, you must concentrate on prevention.
Watch your pet closely and remove feces after they defecate, but before they start eating it. If your puppy eats cat poop, limit their access to the cat’s litter box and keep it as clean as possible.
2. Supervise and redirect
Dogs typically defecate up to 1 hour after a meal, so you can predict with a high level of accuracy when the next potty break is coming. Supervise your pet when they go potty and keep them on a leash to distract them and clean up the poop preventatively. You can also use a reliable recall to distract them off-leash and give them a treat or a toy to keep them busy while you clean up the mess.
You can also consult a veterinarian about special dietary supplements that may help alter the taste of fecal matter. These supplements are harmless for a dog, but they change the smell or taste of the poop. As a result, your pup is less likely to try it.
3. Positive reinforcement
Don’t overreact when you see your pooch eating the stool after defecation. Use positive reinforcement strategies instead. Praise and reward your companion when they stay away from feces or react to your commands and move away from it.
4. "Leave It" command
The command “Leave It!” can be particularly helpful in the case of coprophagia.
Teach it using positive reinforcement. It will help you control your dog’s behavior better and keep them safe when they want to pick something up from the ground.
Remember to start with easier items during training before expecting it to work with feces.
5. Consult a vet or trainer
In some cases, coprophagia requires professional assistance. If the onset of the condition is sudden and you see other physical symptoms indicating a possible health issue, take your dog to a vet for further medical help. Additionally, dogs that have a persistent or obsessive tendency to coprophagia will benefit from cooperation with a canine behavioral expert.
6. Address underlying causes
Dogs suffering from digestive issues or other underlying medical or psychological problems aren’t likely to stop their poop-eating habits unless these causes are appropriately addressed. If you suspect that coprophagia is a symptom of another condition, consult a veterinarian first.
7. Keep your dog busy
If you suspect your furry companion eats poop to combat boredom, keeping them busy with physical and mental exercise can be helpful. Stick to a daily walking schedule to provide them with an opportunity to sniff around and explore the world. Teach them different commands, play games, and offer a variety of toys to interact with.
8. Consider a muzzle
While working on distraction and using praise and reward to discourage your dog from eating poop, you can additionally use a muzzle.
It can help physically block your dog from consuming their own feces and prevent them from doing so. Ensure you choose a properly fitted basket muzzle that allows your dog to pant and drink water freely, and take the time to desensitize them to wearing it first.
9. Don’t punish
Punishing a dog for eating poop is unlikely to stop the behavior. However, it can unintentionally reinforce the bad habit. It can contribute to your pet’s anxiety and fear, so that they start eating poop more in an attempt to hide it from you.
Wrap Up
Eating poop is an instinctive behavior that dogs have at certain stages of their lives. However, the behavior should be addressed if it persists into adulthood or becomes obsessive. Work on redirecting your dog from the habit and use positive reinforcement to discourage the behavior.
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CPDT-KA certified trainer with over 4 years of experience working with hundreds of dog owners.