Why does my dog eat poo?
By Friends of the Dog

As revolting as the behavior of consuming feces may seem to us, and as unpleasant as it makes our dogs’ breath, to a dog, this is simply normal, instinctive behavior. We must remember that a dog is essentially a scavenger, and will take advantage of almost any food source it can find, though not all dogs engage in feces consumption, and those that do, may not do so regularly. Many wild animals exhibit this behavior, especially when food resources are scarce. In such cases, feces can serve as a source of missing nutrients and proteins, helping to sustain life. This behavior is referred to as coprophagia – a term that sounds more refined than “eating poo!”
Coprophagia can be classified as follows:
If your dog exhibits this behavior, it’s important to have them examined by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical causes. If a medical issue is found, addressing it is critical, as behavioral interventions will likely be ineffective without resolving the medical concern.
Most dogs do not suffer health consequences from this behavior, but there are potential risks. Dogs may contract worms, especially roundworms, or even parvovirus. The risk increases with older, less fresh feces. If your dog does engage in this behavior, ensure they are dewormed every 3 months and that all vaccinations are up-to-date. These preventive measures should apply to all dogs in the household, and you may need to implement strategies to correct the behavior.
Some common reasons why dogs may regularly engage in coprophagia include:
Medical Aspects:
Behavioural Factors:
Management:
Coprophagia can be classified as follows:
- Acute Coprophagia: This often occurs in puppies, where the behavior typically lasts for about 3 weeks before stopping.
- Intermediate Coprophagia: This can affect dogs aged 3-5 years, and the behavior may persist for 1-3 months.
- Chronic Coprophagia: If a dog continues to eat feces for more than a year, this is considered chronic. It often occurs in dogs aged 5-8 years and may signal the need to adjust their diet due to the changing nutritional needs of their senior years.
If your dog exhibits this behavior, it’s important to have them examined by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical causes. If a medical issue is found, addressing it is critical, as behavioral interventions will likely be ineffective without resolving the medical concern.
Most dogs do not suffer health consequences from this behavior, but there are potential risks. Dogs may contract worms, especially roundworms, or even parvovirus. The risk increases with older, less fresh feces. If your dog does engage in this behavior, ensure they are dewormed every 3 months and that all vaccinations are up-to-date. These preventive measures should apply to all dogs in the household, and you may need to implement strategies to correct the behavior.
Some common reasons why dogs may regularly engage in coprophagia include:
Medical Aspects:
- Could it possible be that the dog is simply not getting enough food? The quantities given on a packet of dog food are just an idea - each and every dog is different and their activity levels need to be taken into account as well.
- Eating Too Quickly: Even with high-quality food, dogs that eat very quickly may suffer from digestive issues. They may not absorb all the nutrients (malabsorption) they need and might resort to eating feces to make up for the shortfall.
- Intestinal Parasites
- They have a medical condition
Behavioural Factors:
- Boredom: Dogs that are not receiving enough physical and mental stimulation may turn to eating feces as a way to pass the time, especially when they receive attention from owners when doing so.
- Stress: Changes in the home environment—such as a new pet or family member, or changes like illness, divorce, or moving—can cause stress and trigger this behavior. Dogs are sensitive to changes and may exhibit behavior changes as a result.
- Separation Anxiety: If your dog only engages in this behavior when you are away, separation anxiety could be a factor. Dogs with separation anxiety often exhibit destructive behavior when their owners are absent, and in some cases, eating feces may also occur.
- Learned Behavior: If your dog has been engaging in this behavior for a long time, it may simply be a habit, that could even have been picked up from their mother when a pup.
- Feed a Balanced Diet: Ensure your dog is eating a high-quality, balanced dog food. Feed them twice a day at consistent times. Avoid adding table scraps or changing their food frequently.
- Monitor Food Portions: Follow the feeding guidelines on the dog food packaging, but be mindful that some dogs may require more or less food based on their activity level.
- Gradual Food Changes: If you need to switch foods, do so gradually over a week to avoid digestive upset. Observe any changes in your dog's behavior and elimination patterns during the transition.
Management:
- Prevent Access to Feces: Keep your dog in an area where it cannot access feces, and clean up any feces promptly. Do this while the dog is in another area to avoid competition for the resource. Prevention really is one of your major tools - if the dog can't get to the stools, he can't eat them_
- Additives: Some additives, such as grated pineapple or enzymes purchased from the vet, may make feces less palatable to dogs. However, these are not always effective on their own, and behavioral changes, stimulation, and exercise are still important.
- Slow Eating: If your dog eats too quickly, consider raising their food bowl slightly and ensuring they eat without competition from other dogs.
- Mental and Physical Stimulation: Provide your dog with toys, chew toys, and plenty of physical exercise. Dogs have a keen sense of smell, and regular walks can help meet their need for stimulation, reducing the likelihood of undesirable behaviors.
- Teach a "Leave It" Command: Teach your dog to reliably leave things when asked. This is essential when you spot them heading toward feces. Replace the object with a higher-value reward to reinforce the command.
- Use Distractions: If you see your dog sniffing or heading toward feces, call them in an upbeat, high-pitched voice, and redirect them with a toy or activity.
- Reliable Recall: Teach your dog a strong recall command so you can call them away from feces, rewarding them when they return. A reliable recall is an invaluable tool for managing unwanted behavior.