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Eating poop is also known as coprophagia. Fernando Trabanco Fotografía/Getty Images It turns out the biggest problem with a dog eating poop is the ick factor for their humans. Dogs, especially puppies, eat many things they shouldn't, and this often includes feces — theirs and that of other dogs and even other animals. Gross as it may seem, dogs eating poop is pretty common. "The science isn't completely clear on why dogs or puppies eat feces, which is known as coprophagia," says Gary Richter, DVM, a veterinary health expert with Rover and owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital. "Assuming the dog is eating an appropriately balanced diet – meaning basically any commercially available brand – nutritional deficiencies leading to coprophagia are very unlikely. In truth, eating feces is almost exclusively a behavioral issue rather than a physical one," says Richter. Russell Hartstein, Certified Dog Behaviorist and Trainer in Los Angeles and founder of Fun Paw Care, agrees, adding that while there's no conclusive evidence that points to any single reason why dogs eat poop, it is totally natural. That said, here are some reasons why your dog might eat poop. "It's part of a dog's genetics. Dogs are omnivores that scavenge, forage, and love carrion smells/tastes such as vile, pungent odors and stuff to play with and eat. Dogs eat lots of things with zero nutritional value for fun or because it seems interesting to them," says Hartstein. According to a 2018 study, coprophagia may be an inherited tendency from dogs' ancestors, wolves. Wolves defecated outside their dens because their feces contained parasite eggs. If a wolf was too sick or injured to go do their business elsewhere, it would eat the poop in order to protect the pack. The researchers pointed out that because parasite eggs can become infective after a couple of days. This may also explain why dogs generally eat poop that's no more than a day or two old. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), poop eating is a natural behavior at certain stages of a dog's life. For instance, mother dogs lick their puppies as a way to urge them to do their business. They also clean up after their puppies by eating their feces for the first three weeks after birth. Puppies naturally mimic this behavior by eating their own poop and other dogs' poop. As Richter already pointed out, nutritional deficiencies are unlikely if your dog is eating a balanced diet. That said, it's still important for dog owners to watch for signs of a nutritional deficiency, which could stem from diet or malabsorption issues caused by an underlying medical condition. The signs of a nutrient deficiency depend on which nutrients are lacking, but most often include:
Thyroid disease, diabetes, and Cushing's disease are some conditions that can increase hunger in dogs and lead them to eat their feces. Drugs, such as steroids, benzodiazepines, and some antihistamines can also cause increased hunger as a side effect. Though it hasn't been scientifically proven, some experts believe coprophagia in dogs may be triggered by chronic stress, anxiety, and boredom. Isolated dogs, or those who spend too much time in a crate or other confined space are more likely to eat poop. Anxiety from harsh training methods or punishment can also trigger the behavior, according to the AKC. "In terms of risks, on top of the obvious 'gross' factor, eating feces can transmit parasites to your dog," says Richter. Common parasites a dog may contract from eating other dogs' or animals' poop include:
If your dog is showing signs of illness, like diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy, a visit to the vet is in order. If your puppy's mowing down on poop, the good news is they'll probably stop doing it by the time they're about 9 months old. If your puppy continues to do it or you have an adult dog that does it, the following tips may help break the habit:
There's no one specific reason why dogs eat poop, but most of the time it's normal and not a problem — at least not for the dog. "The most effective way to get your dog to stop eating poop is management. However, there are many other methods and factors to consider that may help with dog poop eating, such as dog training, behavior modification, enrichment, exercise, and nutrition," says Hartstein
If your dog eats poop then you may wonder why they do it, if it’s a normal behaviour and whether it could make them sick. Your dog may enjoy dining on their own dung, eating cat litter tray treats or they may prefer snacking on stools on their daily walks. It may be disgusting to us, but it’s actually a relatively normal behaviour for many dogs, particularly puppies. The question is, is it bad for them and should we stop them? Eating poo, also known as coprophagia, is a normal behaviour for many animals and is seen in roughly 25% of dogs. There are many reasons why your dog may be eating poop, but it’s probably because they just like the taste and texture of it. We may be repulsed by the very thought of poo, but to dogs, it’s packed full of interesting information that tells them about who its maker was and what they’d been eating. As well as just enjoying a delicious dung dinner, dogs may feast on faeces because:
Dogs like eating poo
One possible reason that your dog eats poo is simply because they enjoy it. Your dog’s sense of smell and taste are very different to ours and they may be able to detect undigested fats, proteins or other material that smell delicious to them. They may also enjoy the texture of certain stools, often favouring firmer, fresh faeces, particularly if it’s less than two days old. While we often explore things with our hands, dogs use their mouths to help them understand the world, whether that’s licking your face to greet you, carrying things between their teeth, or playing with toys or balls. For your dog, eating poo may just be another way of examining something that seems interesting to them. They’re copying their mumGood canine mothers instinctively lick their newly born puppies to help them go to the toilet and to keep them clean. They also eat their puppy’s faeces to keep them and the area hygienic and free from diseases and parasites. In the wild, this instinct may also help to prevent predators from being drawn to the smell of a dog’s den. A dog’s mum teaches them how to be a dog, so puppies will instinctively copy their mother’s behaviour. Most mothers stop cleaning up after their puppies when they have either moved on to solid foods or they can leave their den to do their business. Around this time, most puppies stop being so interested in poo, but some never seem to grow out of it. Hungrier dogs tend to be poo eaters Research has found that dogs that are described as ‘greedy eaters’ tend to be more likely to eat poo. It may be that your dog is just very much food orientated, but if your dog regularly eats poo it's a good idea to think about the following questions:
The effect of boredom, stress or anxiety
Eating faeces can sometimes be a response to stress, boredom or anxiety. If your dog is home alone for long periods of time, then they may eat poo because there’s nothing else to do. In these situations, your dog will need more mental and physical stimulation and you could consider using a dog walker to provide them with company during the day. If your dog is stressed when they’re apart from you, eating poo may help soothe them. If your dog starts eating their own poo, it’s important that you don’t punish them. Punishing an already anxious dog can further increase their stress levels and make matters worse. Always consult your local vet or behaviourist to get the best advice. Possible medical causes It’s a common belief that eating poo is a sign of a dietary deficiency, but eating excrement is such a common canine behaviour that this is unlikely to be true in most cases. Although it’s possible that many dogs are just partial to eating poo, there are some medical conditions that could make your dog more likely to eat faeces, including: Do all dogs eat poo?
A study of over 1,500 dogs found that 23% of dogs were seen eating poo at least once in their lifetime, with 16% of dogs being described as ‘frequent stool eaters’. Dogs that were found to often eat poo were likely to be:
No evidence could be found relating to poo eating and the dog’s age or diet. Is it dangerous for my dog to eat poop?
Eating poo is a normal behaviour for dogs and although it’s disgusting to us it’s usually relatively harmless. Even though your dog may enjoy dining on dung, it’s probably something to be discouraged as there is always the risk of parasites, viruses and bacteria. Also, some medications can pass through an animal and into their faeces and these may be toxic to your dog, such as worming medications found in horse manure. If you’re unable to stop your dog from eating faeces, always ensure you give them something to eat or drink afterwards to help rinse out their mouth. Don’t let them lick you. Always wash your hands thoroughly if in contact with your dog’s mouth or saliva and make sure they’re up-to-date on any worming treatments. Can my dog get worms from eating poop?Yes. Some parasites or their eggs may be found in animal faeces and these can be transmitted to your dog if eaten. Dogs can be infected with hookworms, roundworms and whipworms and these can make your dog ill. Ensure your dog is regularly wormed and always speak to your vet for the latest worming advice. How can I stop my dog eating poo? If your dog regularly pigs out on poo then you should consider speaking to your local vet or behaviourist for advice. To help you manage this behaviour you could try:
What not to do if your dog eats poopIf your dog does eat poo it’s important that you don’t react or show that you’re upset. Never punish or shout at your dog as this could cause more behavioural issues. Remember that eating poo is a natural behaviour to them so it may be a tricky habit to break. How can I stop my dog eating cat poo? Many dogs seem to particularly enjoy eating cat poo, so to some dogs a cat’s litter tray is like a buffet that’s hard to resist. To dissuade your dog you could try:
How do I clean my dog’s mouth after they've eaten poop?
One of the worst parts of seeing your dog eat poop is knowing that they’re going to try to lick you later on, or will have disgusting smelling breath, so how can you clean them? If your dog enjoys eating excrement then you could:
Why does my dog eat poop in the winter?Dogs do not usually eat soft poo or diarrhoea, but seem to prefer eating more firm stools. The firmer the better. Some dogs particularly like to eat frozen poo and dogs that do not usually snack on stools may be tempted by these crunchy ‘poosicles’. In winter, especially when it’s snowed, poo is more noticeable in contrast to the white snow and may be more tempting to them. My dog eats poo - when should I contact my vet?
If your dog regularly eats poo, or you’re concerned about their health or behaviour, then you should always contact your vet for advice, particularly if this is a new issue. Your vet may be able to give you some information on how to manage this problem, or they may suggest that you speak to a behaviourist. If your dog is eating poo and is showing other signs of illness, you should contact your vet immediately. Find out more Find answers to some of the other most commonly asked questions on our 'why does my dog?' hub, such as:
If you're worried about your dog's health, always contact your vet immediately! We are not a veterinary organisation and so we can't give veterinary advice, but if you're worried about any of the issues raised in this article, please contact your local vet practice for further information
If you're looking for a vet practice near you, why not visit the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Find a vet page. |
Why is my dog eating poop
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