Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Understanding Coprophagia in Dogs

Balanced nutrition, enrichment, and positive training can curb this canine behavior.

By Anjali Sayee

Created on Aug 29, 2025

Balanced nutrition, enrichment, and positive training can curb this canine behavior.

Poop eatingâscientifically known as coprophagiaâis one of the most perplexing and concerning behaviors observed in dogs. While it may seem revolting to us, coprophagia is surprisingly common across breeds, ages, and living environments. Understanding why dogs indulge in this habit, when it might be a cause for concern, and how owners can address it is vital for promoting the physical and psychological well-being of our canine companions.

What Is Coprophagia?

Coprophagia (kop-ruh-fay-jee-uh) is the term used to describe the behavior of eating feces. The act can involve a dog eating its own poop, that of another dog, or the feces of other animals. While humans often find this behavior alarming, from a dogâs evolutionary perspective, it can be rooted in survival instincts, environmental learning, and even physiological necessity.

Is It Normal for Dogs and Puppies to Eat Poop?

In puppies and juveniles, coprophagia is typically a transient, natural behavior. Many young dogs observe their mothers cleaning up their environment by consuming the feces of their litter, a practice meant to keep the den clean and reduce the risk of disease. Puppies may mimic this maternal behavior, and most will outgrow it with age. However, some dogs continue or develop this tendency later in life, at which point underlying causesâranging from nutritional deficits to behavioral and environmental stressorsâshould be explored.

Key Statistics About Coprophagia

Coprophagia Statistic	Detail
“Serious” Poop Eaters	16% of dogs observed eating poop five times or more
Dogs Observed Eating Poop at Least Once	24% of dogs in surveyed households

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Main Causes

There is no single answer to why dogs eat poop. The behavior can be attributed to a mix of physiological, environmental, and psychological factors.

1. Evolutionary and Instinctual Reasons

Ancestral Survival Instinct: Wild canids would sometimes eat feces to survive during starvation or food scarcity, making them less picky about potential food sources.
Den Cleaning: Wolves and mother dogs clean up after themselves and their pups to minimize scent markers that could attract predators or spread disease, possibly passing this trait onto domestic dogs.
Territorial Maintenance: In the wild, eating the feces left by competitors may have helped dogs claim or protect their territory.

2. Nutritional and Medical Reasons

Poor Diet or Nutritional Deficiencies: Diets lacking in certain vitamins, minerals, or digestive enzymes can drive dogs to seek out nutrients in feces, especially if the original meal was inadequately digested.
Malabsorption Syndromes: Conditions that impair the absorption of nutrients may increase hunger or cravings for undigested material passed in feces.
Parasites: Intestinal parasites can lead to increased appetite or malnutrition, potentially driving coprophagic behavior.
Metabolic Diseases: Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and thyroid disorders can result in greater hunger and abnormal eating habits, including coprophagia.
Underfeeding: Simply put, a hungry dog may view feces as an available food source if it is not getting enough calories or feeling satiated from its meals.

3. Behavioral Factors

Curiosity and Exploration: Dogs explore the world with their mouths. Investigating feces is part of their sensory exploration, especially in puppies.
Boredom: Lack of mental or physical stimulation may cause a dog to seek out novel or stimulating (though unhealthy) behaviors like eating poop.
Stress and Anxiety: Dogs experiencing environmental stress, separation anxiety, or household disruption may use coprophagia as a coping mechanism.
Attention-Seeking: Dogs quickly associate coprophagia with a big reaction from their humansâsometimes, negative attention is better than no attention at all.
Housetraining Issues: Punitive training methods or inconsistent housebreaking can cause dogs to eat their feces to conceal evidence and avoid further punishment.

4. Learned and Environmental Causes

Copying Their Dam: Puppies may learn to eat feces after observing their mother do so, especially in the context of den or whelping area cleaning.
Multi-Dog Households: In environments where more than one dog lives, competition and mimicry can increase coprophagic behaviors.
Environmental Stressors: Crowded shelters, restricted access to the outdoors, and lack of cleanliness can contribute to frequent and habitual feces eating.

When Should You Worry?

Sudden Onset in Adults: If your adult dog suddenly develops a compulsion to eat poop, consult your veterinarian, as this may be a sign of unseen medical problems or nutritional deficiencies.
Accompanied by Illness: Symptoms like weight loss, lethargy, gastrointestinal upset, or major changes in appetite or behavior necessitate prompt veterinary attention.
Persistent or Escalating Behavior: Chronic or compulsive coprophagia can have serious health consequences (such as parasite or pathogen transmission), especially if your dog eats feces from non-domestic animals.

How to Stop Dogs from Eating Poop

While some dogs may naturally outgrow coprophagia, persistent or severe cases require intervention. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, but a combination of dietary management, training, enrichment, and environmental control can be very effective.

Step-by-Step Strategies

Veterinary Check: First, rule out medical problems with a veterinary examination and necessary tests.
Upgrade Diet Quality: Feed a balanced, high-quality dog food to ensure all nutritional needs are met.
Establish a Routine: Maintain regular feeding schedules and avoid underfeeding. Ensure treats are healthy and portions are appropriate.
Improve Digestive Health: Consider supplements (with veterinary guidance) such as digestive enzymes or pre/probiotics if poor digestion is suspected.
Environmental Cleanliness: Be vigilant in cleaning up after your dog immediately to minimize opportunities for coprophagia.
Enrichment and Exercise: Provide all dogs, especially those prone to boredom or anxiety, with plenty of toys, playtime, walks, and mental stimulation.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward your dog for ignoring feces and using their energy on more desirable behaviors. Avoid punitive training techniques, as these can increase stress and worsen the problem.
Deterring Products: After consulting your veterinarian, certain deterrent supplements or taste-aversion products may reduce the desire to eat feces. These are often added to food or directly to feces to make it unpalatable.
Limit Access and Supervise: Monitor your dog closely in the yard, during walks, or at dog parks where feces might be present. Redirect attention as needed.

Common Myths About Coprophagia

“Only Naughty or Badly Trained Dogs Eat Poop”: Coprophagia is not a sign of a ‘bad’ dog, but rather a behavior with complex origins, often unrelated to obedience or intelligence.
“Poop Eating Is Always a Medical Issue”: While health problems can contribute, many cases are behavioral or environmental.
“Itâs Only Gross to Humans”: Canine perception of smell and taste is fundamentally different from ours; what we find disgusting may be neutral or even appealing to them.
“Coprophagia Will Always Go Away on Its Own”: While puppies often stop as they age, persistent cases need attention, especially if caused by health or anxiety.

Risks and Health Considerations

Parasite Transmission: Feces can harbor roundworms, hookworms, Giardia, and other parasites that can re-infect your dog or spread to other pets or humans.
Bacterial and Viral Disease: Pathogens ingested from poop can cause digestive disturbances or, in rare cases, more serious illness.
Social Consequences: Poop eaters may face restricted access to dog parks, daycare, or grooming. Owners may also find the behavior causes embarrassment or hesitancy in social situations.

When to Consult a Veterinarian

Your dog shows persistent coprophagia, especially after puppyhood, and attempts at home intervention have failed.
There is a sudden onset of behavior or it is accompanied by other symptoms (weight loss, GI upset, listlessness).
If other pets are also exhibiting abnormal behaviors, suggesting a broader environmental or health concern.
To discuss safe and effective deterrence products or supplements, and to rule out any hidden dietary or metabolic causes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why has my dog started eating poop suddenly?

Sudden coprophagia in adult dogs may point to underlying medical issues, stress, or a sudden change in environment or diet. Immediate veterinary evaluation is recommended when new behaviors appear.

Is eating poop harmful to my dog?

While many dogs eat feces without apparent immediate harm, this behavior can facilitate the spread of intestinal parasites, bacteria, and, rarely, toxins. Consuming feces from other animals (particularly wild species) increases health risks.

Can coprophagia be cured?

Most cases can be managed or eliminated through a blend of dietary improvements, behavioral modification, management, and medical intervention where appropriate. Patience, consistency, and veterinary guidance are key to success.

Why do puppies eat poop more than adults?

Puppies are more prone to coprophagia due to maternal imitation, curiosity, and a desire to investigate novel items in their environment. Most grow out of the habit as they age and with consistent training.

Are there dog breeds more likely to eat poop?

There is no robust scientific evidence that specific breeds are more likely to eat poop. However, coprophagia is more often reported in households with multiple dogs, or in dogs with high prey drive or anxiety issues.

Summary Table: Causes & Management of Canine Coprophagia

Cause	Common in	Recommended Solutions
Instinct/Ancestral	Puppies, Multi-dog households	Training, supervision, remove feces promptly
Nutrition/Poor Diet	Dogs on low-quality diets, rapid growth stages	Improve diet, consider supplements after vet consult
Medical Issue	All ages	Veterinary assessment, treat underlying condition
Behavioral/Stress	Nervous, bored, or attention-seeking dogs	Mental stimulation, enrichment, positive reinforcement
Environmental Factors	Dogs in shelter, neglected, or stressful homes	Clean environment, routine, affection, professional help

Conclusion: A Multi-Faceted, Manageable Canine Behavior

While coprophagia can cause distress for dog owners, understanding its root causes, risks, and management options ensures a humane, effective approach. Most dogs either outgrow poop eating or can be trained out of it. Where persistent, collaboration between owners, veterinarians, and trainers is vital. Patience and consistency are the best allies in supporting canine health and keeping your home clean and pleasant for everyone.

References

Author

Anjali Sayee

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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