Of all the peculiar habits dogs exhibit—from lapping up toilet water to indulging in dead animals and self-grooming in the most private areas—coprophagia, or the consumption of feces, often ranks highest on the list of behaviors that disgust dog owners. While a dog’s inclination to eat poop isn’t a deliberate attempt to shock their human companions, the act itself is undeniably repulsive to us. In fact, the discovery that a dog engages in coprophagia is frequently cited as a significant factor in decisions to rehome or even euthanize a dog. However, if you’re dealing with a dog who eats poop, take heart: there are effective strategies to discourage this behavior through modification techniques, along with a range of readily available products designed to make feces less appealing to dogs.
There’s a scientific term for the canine habit of eating poop: coprophagia, pronounced kop-ruh-fey-jee-uh. Both behavioral and physiological factors can contribute to why some dogs consider feces a palatable snack. Although the study of coprophagia in dogs is not extensive, it is recognized as a fairly common behavior. A study presented at the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior annual conference by researchers led by Dr. Benjamin Hart at the University of California, Davis, revealed some interesting statistics:
- A significant 16% of dogs, or one in six, were classified as “serious” poop eaters, meaning they were observed eating poop five or more times.
- Furthermore, 24% of dogs in the study, nearly one in four, were seen eating poop at least once.
Dr. Hart explained, “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 tendency to eat poop might be ingrained in a dog’s DNA.
This research was based on two surveys distributed to approximately 3,000 dog owners. While humans find poop eating distasteful, dogs have a different perspective. Evolving as scavengers, dogs are accustomed to consuming anything they could find, whether on the ground or in refuse heaps. Consequently, a dog’s definition of appetizing food differs greatly from human standards. In his book, Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, animal behaviorist Steven R. Lindsay suggests that coprophagia “may be one of several appetitive survival behaviors that have evolved to cope with the periodic adversity of starvation.” Essentially, when food is scarce, being selective isn’t an option.
Is It Normal for Dogs or Puppies to Eat Poop?
For certain species, such as rabbits, coprophagia is a completely normal and necessary way of obtaining essential nutrients. In fact, preventing rabbits from eating their cecotropes (a special type of feces) can lead to health issues and hinder the development of young rabbits. Fortunately, dogs do not require poop to meet their nutritional needs. However, eating poop is considered a normal, natural behavior for dogs during specific stages of life.
Mother dogs instinctively lick their puppies to stimulate urination and defecation, and they consume their puppies’ feces to keep the environment clean for approximately the first three weeks post-birth. Puppies also naturally engage in coprophagia, eating their own poop (autocoprophagia), poop from other dogs (allocoprophagia), and feces from cats and other animals. Some dogs exhibit a particular fondness for horse manure and goose droppings.
While eating their own feces is generally not harmful to puppies, consuming poop from other animals can pose health risks if the stool is contaminated with parasites, viruses, or toxins. In most instances, this behavior diminishes as puppies mature, typically ceasing by the time they are around nine months old.
Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?
If your adult dog suddenly develops a habit of eating poop, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. Several medical conditions and treatments can trigger coprophagia, including parasitic infections, steroid medications, malabsorption syndromes, diabetes, Cushing’s Disease, thyroid disease, and other conditions that can lead to increased appetite or nutrient deficiencies. Diets lacking in essential nutrients and calories may also prompt dogs to eat poop as a compensatory mechanism.
In some instances, environmental stress or behavioral factors can be the root cause of coprophagia in dogs.
Isolation
Research indicates that dogs kept in isolation, such as in kennels or basements, are more prone to eating poop compared to dogs who live in close proximity to their families.
Confinement to Small Spaces
Prolonged confinement in restricted spaces can also contribute to the development of coprophagia. It is frequently observed in dogs rescued from overcrowded animal shelters, where stress and limited space are common.
Anxiety
Coprophagia can sometimes stem from anxiety, particularly related to punishment or harsh training methods during housebreaking. According to this theory, dogs may defecate and then consume their own feces in an attempt to eliminate the evidence and avoid punishment, inadvertently creating a negative cycle.
Attention-Seeking
Dogs are intelligent creatures and quickly learn how to elicit reactions from their owners. Eating poop can be a method of gaining attention, albeit negative attention. If you notice your dog eating poop, it’s important to avoid overreacting, as any reaction can reinforce the behavior.
Inappropriate Association With Real Food
If a dog’s feeding area is located too close to their elimination area, they may develop an association between the smells of food and feces, blurring the distinction between the two. Feeding and watering stations should always be kept separate from designated potty areas.
Smelling Poop on Their Mothers
Animal behaviorist Steven R. Lindsay suggests that puppies might become confused by detecting fecal odors on their mother’s breath after she cleans them. Additionally, mothers may occasionally regurgitate food mixed with puppy feces. This “appetitive inoculation” could predispose puppies to develop coprophagia later in life.
Living With a Sick or Elderly Dog
In multi-dog households, a healthy dog may consume feces from a weaker or incontinent dog, especially in cases of fecal incontinence. This behavior is hypothesized to be linked to an instinctual drive to protect the pack from predators by removing traces of illness or vulnerability.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Poop?
Veterinarians and dog owners have successfully employed several strategies to curb coprophagia in dogs. Understanding the underlying cause of the behavior is crucial in determining the most effective solution. Dogs eating poop due to medical conditions require different interventions compared to those doing it for behavioral reasons like stress. If poop eating is an ongoing issue, consulting your veterinarian is the first step. They can rule out medical causes and may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist if behavioral modification is needed.
Vitamin Supplements for Dogs Eating Poop
A long-standing theory suggests that nutritional deficiencies might drive dogs to eat poop, leading to the idea that a dog multivitamin could be beneficial. Vitamin-B deficiency, in particular, has been considered a primary suspect, supported by research. A 1981 study demonstrated that microbial activity in feces could synthesize thiamine, a B-vitamin. Further research has identified other potential nutrient deficiencies.
Enzyme Supplements for Dogs Eating Poop
Modern commercial dog diets often contain higher carbohydrate levels and lower meat-based protein and fat content compared to the ancestral canine diet. Some dog owners have found success using digestive enzyme supplements, including products containing papain, an enzyme known to aid digestion, to address coprophagia.
Taste-Aversion Products for Dogs Eating Poop
The principle behind taste-aversion products is to make feces as unappealing to dogs as the act of eating poop is to humans. Poop-eating deterrent treats or powders added to food are designed to make the resulting feces less palatable. Many of these products include ingredients like monosodium glutamate, chamomile, pepper-plant derivatives, yucca, garlic, and parsley. It’s important to note that for these products to be effective, all dogs (and cats) in the household need to consume the deterrent so that all feces become equally unappetizing. Some owners also use bitter-tasting sprays directly on feces to further discourage consumption.
Managing the Environment for Dogs That Eat Poop
Environmental management and training are often the most effective approaches to stopping coprophagia. This includes maintaining a clean living environment for your dog, both indoors and in the yard, to eliminate access to feces. Supervise your dog during walks and immediately pick up and dispose of their poop.
Training is also key. Focus on teaching the “leave it” and “come” commands. A simple yet effective exercise is to train your dog to come to you for a treat immediately after defecating. This helps them associate pooping with a positive reward from you, rather than focusing on their feces.
If you have cats, ensure the cat litter box is kept meticulously clean and ideally placed out of your dog’s reach. Consider using self-cleaning litter boxes or dog gates to restrict access to the litter box area.
Facts About Dogs Who Eat Poop
Coprophagia in puppies is often considered a normal part of their exploratory phase as they investigate the world around them. While most puppies are content with sniffing and examining poop, some are inclined to orally explore everything, including feces.
Interestingly, dogs that eat poop tend to prefer hard, formed stools over soft feces or diarrhea. Frozen poop, in particular, seems to be an especially enticing treat for some dogs. Dr. Hart’s research revealed additional insights into canine coprophagia:
- Coprophagia is more prevalent in multi-dog households. Only 20% of dogs in single-dog homes exhibited poop-eating habits, compared to 33% in homes with three or more dogs.
- Dogs that eat poop are not inherently more difficult to housetrain than other dogs.
- Female dogs are more likely to engage in coprophagia, while intact males are the least likely.
- A significant 92% of poop eaters prefer fresh feces, only one to two days old.
- 85% of dog poop eaters primarily consume feces from other dogs, not their own.
- Greedy eaters, or dogs prone to stealing food, are more likely to be poop eaters.
If you observe your dog eating poop, consulting with your veterinarian is crucial. Determining the underlying cause is the first step towards finding an appropriate solution and taking the necessary steps to help your dog break this habit.
