Why Is My Dog Eating Poop? 2025 Causes, Vet Advice & How to Stop 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

It’s one of the most cringe worthy behaviors a dog can have—eating poop. Known as coprophagia, this behavior is surprisingly common and has both behavioral and medical roots.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here's why dogs eat poop, whether it's dangerous, and the steps you can take to stop it for good.

🐶 Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

1. Nutritional Deficiencies

• Low-quality food or poor digestion may lead to nutritional gaps
• Dogs may try to re-ingest nutrients from stool

2. Boredom or Attention-Seeking

• Dogs left alone or under-stimulated may develop poop-eating as a habit
• Some do it to get a reaction from their owner

3. Stress or Anxiety

• Rescue dogs or those punished for accidents may eat poop to “hide the evidence”

4. Copycat Behavior (Puppies)

• Young dogs sometimes learn by watching mom clean up after pups

5. Medical Conditions

• Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or intestinal malabsorption
• Parasites or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

🔬 Is It Dangerous?

• Eating their poop = usually harmless (but gross)
• Eating other animals’ poop = risk of parasites, bacteria (e.g., Giardia, worms)
• Cat feces have = high fat content and can cause digestive upset

🩺 What to Do First – Rule Out Medical Issues

• Fecal testing for parasites
• Bloodwork to rule out endocrine or digestive diseases
• Vet exam to assess body condition and dental health

✅ Behavioral Fixes You Can Start Today

1. Immediate Cleanup

• Pick up poop in the yard or litter box as soon as it happens

2. Positive Distraction

• Use toys or treats to redirect after your dog toilets

3. Teach a Reliable “Leave It” Command

• Reward heavily when your dog chooses not to go near the stool

4. Enrichment & Exercise

• More walks, sniff time, training games = less boredom

💊 Supplements That May Help

• For-Bid, CoproBan, or NaturVet Coprophagia Deterrent
• These make poop taste unpleasant to dogs (especially useful in multi-dog homes)

❌ What NOT to Do

• Don’t punish or yell—it can increase anxiety or make them hide the behavior
• Don’t ignore it if it’s new—check for medical triggers

🔗 Helpful Tools from Ask A Vet

• Dual Pocket Dispenser – Carry poop bags and treats to encourage distraction after toileting
• Ask A Vet – Rule out medical causes and get personalized advice from a vet

📋 Summary Excerpt

Poop-eating is gross—but usually fixable. A vet explains the common causes, how to stop it, and when to check for medical problems behind this behavior.

❓ FAQs

• Q: Is it normal for dogs to eat poop?
  A: It’s common, but not “normal.” It often stems from habit, boredom, or medical issues.
• Q: Can eating poop make my dog sick?
  A: Yes, especially if it’s another animal’s poop. It can carry parasites or harmful bacteria.
• Q: Do supplements work to stop it?
  A: Sometimes! They work best when paired with behavior training and consistent cleanup.