Why Would a Dog Eat Their Own Poop? Understanding Coprophagia in Canines

It’s a habit that can turn even the most devoted dog lover’s stomach: poop eating. Scientifically known as coprophagia (pronounced kop-ruh-fey-jee-uh), this behavior in dogs is more common than many pet owners realize. While utterly disgusting to us, for dogs, the reasons behind this behavior are varied and rooted in both instinct and learned habits. Discovering your dog engages in coprophagia can be upsetting, even leading some to consider rehoming or, tragically, euthanasia. However, if your furry friend has a penchant for feces, take heart. There are effective strategies, from behavior modification to readily available products, to help curb this unsavory habit and make poop less appealing to your canine companion.

Decoding Coprophagia: Why Poop is Palatable to Pooches

Coprophagia in dogs is not a new or rare phenomenon. While research is ongoing, studies indicate it’s a fairly prevalent behavior with both behavioral and physiological underpinnings. A significant 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 extent of this behavior:

Serious Poop Eaters: A surprising 16% of dogs were classified as “serious” coprophagics, meaning they were observed eating poop at least five times. The study’s proceedings highlight this statistic.
Occasional Indulgence: Nearly a quarter of dogs, 24%, were seen eating poop at least once in the study.

Dr. Hart interpreted these findings through an evolutionary lens, stating, “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 instinct to consume feces might be embedded in a dog’s DNA, a holdover from their scavenging ancestors.

Dogs evolved as opportunistic eaters, consuming whatever they could find. Their perception of what constitutes “food” differs drastically from ours. As animal behaviorist Steven R. Lindsay points out in his book, Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, coprophagia could be “one of several appetitive survival behaviors that have evolved to cope with the periodic adversity of starvation.” When resources were scarce for their wild ancestors, consuming feces might have been a way to obtain some nutritional value or simply survive periods of famine.

Is Eating Poop Normal Dog Behavior? Age and Stages

In some species, like rabbits, cecotrophy (eating a special type of their own feces) is vital for nutrient absorption. Rabbits derive essential vitamins and nutrients from these specialized droppings, and preventing this behavior can lead to serious health issues. However, dogs do not require coprophagia for nutritional needs.

Despite not being nutritionally essential, poop eating is considered a normal and natural behavior in certain canine life stages.

For instance, mother dogs instinctively consume their puppies’ feces for the first three weeks post-birth. This maternal behavior serves multiple purposes: it stimulates elimination in pups, keeps the den clean, and eliminates scent that could attract predators to vulnerable newborns.

Puppies themselves also commonly engage in coprophagia. They might eat their own poop (autocoprophagia), the poop of other dogs (allocoprophagia), and even feces from cats and other animals. Some dogs develop a particular fondness for horse manure or goose droppings.

For puppies, eating their own feces is generally not harmful. However, consuming feces from other animals poses health risks. Parasites, viruses, and toxins present in another animal’s stool can be transmitted to the puppy. Fortunately, in most cases, puppy coprophagia is a phase that resolves itself, typically diminishing by the time they reach approximately nine months old.

A Pembroke Welsh Corgi explores its surroundings by grazing on grass, highlighting the natural exploratory behaviors of dogs which can sometimes extend to less palatable items like feces.

Adult Dogs and Poop Eating: When to Worry

If your adult dog suddenly develops a poop-eating habit, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Several health issues can trigger or exacerbate coprophagia in adult dogs. These include:

Parasitic Infections: Intestinal parasites can disrupt nutrient absorption, potentially leading to dietary deficiencies and pica behaviors like coprophagia.
Malabsorption Syndromes: Conditions that hinder nutrient absorption in the digestive tract can cause dogs to seek out additional sources of nutrients, including feces.
Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetes can lead to increased appetite (polyphagia), and in some cases, this may manifest as coprophagia.
Cushing’s Disease: This condition, characterized by excessive cortisol production, can also cause increased hunger and unusual eating habits.
Thyroid Disease: Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can affect appetite and potentially contribute to coprophagia.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Diets lacking essential nutrients or calories may drive dogs to seek out alternative food sources, including feces. Certain vitamin deficiencies, particularly B vitamins, have been linked to coprophagia.
Medications: Certain drugs, like corticosteroids (steroids), can increase appetite as a side effect, potentially leading to coprophagia in susceptible dogs.

Beyond medical reasons, environmental stress and behavioral factors can also play a significant role in why adult dogs eat poop.

Environmental and Behavioral Triggers for Coprophagia

Several environmental and behavioral factors can contribute to coprophagia in dogs:

Social Isolation: Dogs kept in isolation, such as in kennels or basements, are more prone to coprophagia than dogs living closely with their families. Lack of social interaction and environmental enrichment can lead to stress and boredom, potentially manifesting as aberrant behaviors like poop eating.
Confinement in Small Spaces: Prolonged confinement in limited spaces can also induce stress and behavioral issues, including coprophagia. This is often observed in dogs rescued from overcrowded shelters or puppy mills.
Anxiety and Stress: Punishment-based house training methods can inadvertently contribute to coprophagia. Dogs punished for eliminating indoors may develop anxiety around defecation. In an attempt to hide the “evidence” and avoid punishment, they may eat their own feces, creating a negative cycle of anxiety and coprophagia.

A sad Golden Retriever illustrates the emotional distress and anxiety that can sometimes underlie behavioral issues like coprophagia in dogs.

Attention Seeking: Dogs are intelligent and quickly learn how to elicit reactions from their owners. Eating poop, a behavior guaranteed to provoke a strong response, can become an attention-seeking tactic. If your dog eats poop and you react dramatically, even negatively, it may reinforce the behavior as a way to gain your attention.
Inappropriate Association with Food: If a dog’s feeding area is located too close to their elimination area, they might inadvertently associate the smell of food with the smell of feces. This can blur the lines between what is and isn’t edible, potentially leading to coprophagia. Feeding and potty areas should always be separate.
Learned Behavior from Mother: Puppies can sometimes develop coprophagia by mimicking their mothers. While mother dogs clean up after their pups, puppies may observe and learn this behavior. Additionally, if a mother regurgitates food for her pups, and this regurgitated food is mixed with fecal matter, it could create an “appetitive inoculation,” making feces seem like a food source to the puppy.
Living with Sick or Elderly Dogs: In multi-dog households, a healthy dog might consume feces from a weaker, sick, or incontinent dog. This behavior is theorized to be linked to an instinct to protect the “pack” from predators by eliminating the scent of illness or vulnerability.

Breaking the Poop Eating Habit: Solutions for Coprophagia

Addressing coprophagia requires a multi-faceted approach, tailored to the underlying cause. Consulting your veterinarian is the first crucial step. They can rule out medical conditions and guide you toward appropriate solutions, possibly including a referral to a veterinary behaviorist if the issue is primarily behavioral.

Several strategies have proven effective in reducing or eliminating poop eating in dogs:

Dietary Adjustments and Supplements

Vitamin B Supplements: The theory that nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin B deficiencies, contribute to coprophagia has been around for a long time and has some scientific backing. Studies have shown that fecal bacteria synthesize thiamine (vitamin B1), and deficiencies in this and other B vitamins might trigger coprophagia. Supplementing with a dog multivitamin containing B vitamins may be beneficial.
Enzyme Supplements: Modern commercial dog foods, often higher in carbohydrates and lower in meat-based proteins and fats compared to ancestral canine diets, might contribute to digestive enzyme deficiencies. Adding digestive enzyme supplements to your dog’s diet may improve digestion and nutrient absorption, potentially reducing the urge to eat poop. Some supplements contain papain, a digestive enzyme, which may be particularly helpful.

Taste Aversion Products

Poop-Eating Deterrents: These products work on the principle of making feces taste and smell unappealing to dogs. Deterrent treats or powders added to food contain ingredients like monosodium glutamate, chamomile, pepper-plant derivatives, yucca, garlic, and parsley, which are intended to make feces less palatable. It’s essential to treat all dogs (and cats, if applicable) in the household with these deterrents to make everyone’s poop unappealing to the coprophagic dog.
Bitter Sprays: For immediate, targeted aversion, a bitter-tasting spray can be applied directly to feces to make it taste extremely unpleasant, deterring your dog from consuming it.

A Pug’s pleading eyes can mirror the owner’s frustration and concern when dealing with challenging behaviors like coprophagia.

Environmental Management and Training

Maintain a Clean Environment: The most straightforward way to prevent poop eating is to eliminate the opportunity. Keep your dog’s living areas, especially yards and potty areas, meticulously clean. Immediately remove feces after your dog eliminates.
Supervise Walks and Potty Breaks: When walking your dog or during potty breaks in the yard, keep a close eye on them. Bring poop bags and scoop up feces immediately before your dog has a chance to investigate or consume it.
“Leave It” and “Come” Training: Solid training in commands like “leave it” and “come” are invaluable. Practice these commands regularly, especially in the context of potty breaks. Train your dog to come to you for a treat immediately after defecating, redirecting their attention away from the feces and creating a positive association with coming to you instead of investigating their poop.
Cat Litter Box Management: If you have cats, ensure the litter box is inaccessible to your dog. Use dog gates to block access to the room with the litter box, or consider using a self-cleaning litter box that automatically disposes of waste.

Interesting Facts About Canine Coprophagia

Understanding the nuances of coprophagia can be helpful in addressing the issue. Here are some intriguing facts revealed by research and observations:

Puppy Exploration: Poop eating in puppies is often considered a normal part of their exploratory phase. They are investigating the world with their mouths, and unfortunately, that can include feces.
Preference for Solid Stools: Dogs who eat poop surprisingly tend to avoid soft stools or diarrhea. They are more attracted to firm, solid feces. Frozen poop is reportedly considered a particular delicacy by some coprophagic dogs.
Multi-Dog Households: Coprophagia is more prevalent in homes with multiple dogs. Studies show a higher incidence in multi-dog households compared to single-dog homes.
House Training and Coprophagia: Dogs who eat poop are not inherently harder to house train than dogs who don’t. Coprophagia is not necessarily linked to house training difficulties.
Gender Differences: Female dogs are statistically more likely to engage in coprophagia than males. Intact males are the least likely to exhibit this behavior.
Freshness Matters: The vast majority of poop-eating dogs prefer fresh feces, typically only one to two days old.
Species Specificity: Most dog poop eaters (85%) prefer feces from other dogs and will not eat their own poop.
Greedy Eaters: Dogs who are prone to food stealing or scavenging are more likely to also be poop eaters, suggesting a link between general opportunistic eating and coprophagia.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s poop-eating behavior, remember to consult with your veterinarian. Identifying the underlying cause is key to finding the most effective solution and helping your dog break this unpleasant habit. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can successfully manage coprophagia and ensure a healthier, happier experience for both you and your canine companion.