It’s one of the most cringe-inducing discoveries for any dog owner: finding your beloved canine munching on a pile of poop. While dogs have a range of habits that might raise eyebrows – from lapping from the toilet bowl to enthusiastically rolling in who-knows-what – coprophagia, the act of eating feces, often tops the list of behaviors that owners find utterly repulsive. It can be so unsettling that some pet parents even consider rehoming their dog upon learning about this unsavory habit. But before you despair or consider drastic measures, know that you’re not alone, and more importantly, there are reasons behind this behavior and effective strategies to address it. If your dog has a penchant for poop, particularly the poop of other dogs, understanding why is the first step towards changing this behavior.
Decoding Coprophagia: More Than Just “Gross”
The scientific term for the habit of dogs eating poop is coprophagia (pronounced kop-ruh-fey-jee-uh). It’s a behavior that, while disgusting to us, stems from a mix of both behavioral and physiological factors in the canine world. While scientists haven’t exhaustively researched coprophagia in domestic dogs, it’s recognized as a surprisingly common occurrence. A notable study presented at the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior annual conference, led by Dr. Benjamin Hart at the University of California, Davis, shed light on the prevalence of this behavior:
- A significant 16% of dogs were categorized as “serious” poop eaters, meaning they were observed indulging in this habit at least five times.
- An even larger 24% of dogs in the study were seen eating poop at least once.
Dr. Hart’s interpretation of these findings offers an evolutionary perspective: “Our conclusion is that eating of fresh stools is a reflection of an innate predisposition of ancestral canids living in nature that protects pack members from intestinal parasites present in feces that could occasionally be dropped in the den/rest area.” In simpler terms, the inclination to eat poop might be hardwired into a dog’s DNA, a relic from their scavenging ancestors who needed to keep their living spaces clean and parasite-free.
From a dog’s evolutionary standpoint, their concept of “delicious” differs drastically from our own. Dogs evolved as opportunistic scavengers, consuming whatever they could find, whether it was scraps on the ground or discarded refuse. Therefore, what we consider revolting, a dog might perceive quite differently. Animal behaviorist Steven R. Lindsay, in his “Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training,” suggests that coprophagia could be “one of several appetitive survival behaviors that have evolved to cope with the periodic adversity of starvation.” When food sources were scarce, being less discerning about meal choices was a matter of survival.
Is Eating Other Dogs’ Poop Normal? Context Matters
For some species, like rabbits, eating poop (specifically, their own special type of night feces called cecotropes) is crucial for nutrient absorption. Rabbits rely on this process to obtain essential vitamins. However, dogs do not require poop consumption for nutritional needs. Despite this, eating poop, including that of other dogs, can be considered a normal, albeit undesirable to us, behavior at certain stages of a dog’s life.
Mother dogs, for instance, instinctively lick their puppies to stimulate urination and defecation, and they diligently clean up after them by eating their poop for approximately the first three weeks postpartum. This maternal behavior is vital for hygiene in the whelping den and also helps protect vulnerable pups from predators by eliminating scent trails.
Puppies themselves often engage in coprophagia, including autocoprophagia (eating their own poop) and allocoprophagia (eating the poop of other animals). They might sample poop from other dogs, cats, and even various species like horses and geese, finding manure and droppings particularly intriguing.
While eating their own poop is generally not harmful to puppies, consuming poop from other animals carries potential health risks. If the ingested feces are contaminated with parasites, viruses, or toxins, puppies can become ill. Fortunately, in most cases, this exploratory poop-eating phase diminishes as puppies mature, typically subsiding by the time they are around nine months old.
Alt text: Pembroke Welsh Corgi curiously sniffing and considering eating grass in a sunny park, showcasing a dog’s exploratory behavior.
Unpacking the “Why”: Reasons Behind Eating Other Dogs’ Poop in Adult Dogs
If your adult dog suddenly develops a taste for poop, especially that of other dogs, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Several health issues can trigger or exacerbate coprophagia, including:
- Parasites: Intestinal parasites can lead to nutrient malabsorption and increased appetite, potentially driving a dog to seek out alternative food sources like feces.
- Nutrient Malabsorption Syndromes: Conditions that hinder nutrient absorption can cause deficiencies, prompting dogs to eat poop in an attempt to compensate.
- Diabetes, Cushing’s Disease, and Thyroid Disease: These endocrine disorders can disrupt metabolism and lead to increased hunger, which might manifest as coprophagia.
- Dietary Deficiencies: Diets lacking essential nutrients or sufficient calories can also contribute to poop-eating behavior as dogs try to fulfill their nutritional needs.
- Certain Medications: Steroids and other drugs can increase appetite, potentially leading to coprophagia.
Beyond medical reasons, various environmental stressors and behavioral factors can also contribute to a dog’s poop-eating habit, particularly when it comes to the feces of other dogs.
Behavioral Triggers for Eating Other Dogs’ Poop
- Isolation: Studies have indicated that dogs kept in isolation, such as in kennels or basements, are more prone to coprophagia compared to dogs living closely integrated with their families. Lack of social interaction and environmental enrichment might lead to this behavior as a form of self-stimulation or stress relief.
- Confinement to Small Spaces: Prolonged confinement in restricted areas can also induce coprophagia. This is often observed in dogs rescued from overcrowded shelters where stress and limited space are significant factors. Eating poop might become a coping mechanism in such environments.
- Anxiety Related to Housetraining: Harsh punishment or negative reinforcement during housetraining can inadvertently trigger coprophagia. Dogs might eliminate and then eat their own or other dogs’ poop in an attempt to eliminate evidence and avoid punishment, creating a negative cycle.
- Attention-Seeking: Dogs are masters at learning what gets them attention from their humans. Even negative attention is still attention. Eating poop, especially in front of an owner, often elicits a strong reaction, which some dogs may interpret as a form of engagement, thus reinforcing the behavior.
- Inappropriate Association with Food: If feeding areas are located too close to elimination areas, dogs might develop an association between the smells of food and feces, blurring the lines between what is edible and what is not. This confusion can contribute to coprophagia.
- Learned Behavior from Mother’s Breath: Puppies might be exposed to fecal odors on their mother’s breath after she cleans them. In rare cases, mothers might regurgitate food mixed with puppy feces. This “appetitive inoculation,” as described by Lindsay, could potentially predispose puppies to develop coprophagia later in life.
- Living with Sick or Elderly Dogs: A healthy dog might consume poop from a weaker or incontinent dog within the household. While less directly related to eating other dogs’ poop outside the home, this instinct might extend to a generalized scavenging behavior. Scientists speculate this could be linked to an instinct to protect the pack (or social group) from predators by removing scent markers of weakness or illness.
Alt text: A sad Golden Retriever lying forlornly on the grass, depicting potential anxiety or stress in dogs that can contribute to behavioral issues like coprophagia.
Breaking the Habit: How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Other Dogs’ Poop
Addressing coprophagia, especially the habit of eating other dogs’ poop, requires a multifaceted approach. The underlying cause is crucial in determining the most effective strategies. Dogs eating poop due to a medical condition will need different interventions than those doing it for behavioral reasons like stress or anxiety. Consulting your veterinarian is the essential first step if poop eating is an ongoing issue. They can rule out medical causes and potentially refer you to a veterinary behaviorist if needed.
Strategies to Deter Poop Eating
- Vitamin Supplements: A long-held theory suggests that nutritional deficiencies drive coprophagia. Supplementing with a dog multivitamin, particularly one addressing Vitamin B deficiencies, might be beneficial. Studies have shown that fecal microbial activity synthesizes thiamine (Vitamin B1), and deficiencies in B vitamins and other nutrients have been linked to poop eating.
- Enzyme Supplements: Modern canine diets, often higher in carbohydrates and lower in meat-based proteins and fats compared to ancestral diets, might lack certain digestive enzymes. Digestive enzyme supplements, some containing papain (an enzyme aiding digestion), have shown promise in curbing coprophagia in some dogs.
- Taste-Aversion Products: The principle behind these products is to make poop taste as unappetizing to dogs as it is to us. Poop-eating deterrent treats or powders added to food contain ingredients like monosodium glutamate, chamomile, pepper-plant derivatives, yucca, garlic, and parsley, aiming to make the resulting feces less palatable. It’s crucial to treat all dogs (and cats, if applicable) in the household with these deterrents to ensure all poop becomes undesirable. Bitter-tasting sprays can also be directly applied to poop to further discourage consumption.
- Environmental Management: This is often the most effective long-term solution. Maintaining a clean environment is paramount. Regularly clean your yard to eliminate poop promptly. During walks, supervise your dog closely and immediately pick up any feces. For cat owners, keep litter boxes meticulously clean and ideally out of the dog’s reach using barriers like dog gates or self-cleaning litter boxes.
- Training and Behavior Modification: Consistent training is key. Focus on teaching “leave it” and “come” cues. A practical exercise is to train your dog to come to you for a high-value treat immediately after defecating. This redirects their attention and creates a positive association with coming to you instead of turning towards the poop. Reward-based training methods are crucial for positive behavior change.
Alt text: A close-up of a Pug with pleading puppy eyes, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing the root cause of behavioral issues with patience and care.
Fascinating Facts About Dogs and Poop Eating
Coprophagia in puppies is generally considered a normal part of their exploratory phase as they investigate the world through scent and taste. While most puppies might just sniff and examine poop, some are more inclined to oral exploration, including tasting feces.
Here are some intriguing facts about canine coprophagia, particularly concerning the consumption of other dogs’ poop, based on Dr. Hart’s study and other observations:
- Poop Preference: Dogs predominantly prefer hard, formed stools and seem less interested in soft feces or diarrhea. Frozen poop apparently holds a particular allure for some poop-eating dogs.
- Social Context: Coprophagia is more prevalent in multi-dog households. Single-dog homes show a lower incidence (around 20%), while homes with three dogs see a rise to about 33%. This might suggest social dynamics or competition could play a role.
- Trainability: Dogs who eat poop are not inherently harder to housetrain than other dogs, debunking a common misconception.
- Gender Influence: Female dogs are more likely to engage in coprophagia, while intact males are the least likely, suggesting hormonal or behavioral differences might be at play.
- Freshness Matters: The vast majority (92%) of poop eaters prefer fresh poop, typically only one to two days old, indicating a preference for “freshness” even in this context.
- Species Specificity: A significant 85% of dog poop eaters primarily target poop from other dogs and avoid eating their own feces, suggesting a different motivation for allocoprophagia versus autocoprophagia.
- Greedy Eaters: Dogs known for being “greedy eaters” or those who steal food are more likely to also be poop eaters, possibly pointing towards a generalized scavenging or opportunistic eating tendency.
If you observe your dog eating poop, especially other dogs’ poop, remember to consult with your veterinarian. Determining the underlying cause is crucial for developing an effective solution and taking the appropriate steps to help your dog break this habit. With patience, understanding, and the right approach, you can often successfully manage or eliminate coprophagia and ensure a healthier, less cringe-worthy experience for both you and your canine companion.
