Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? Causes, Risks and How to Stop Coprophagia

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? Causes, Risks and How to Stop Coprophagia

By Dr Duncan Houston.

Coprophagia is the medical term for eating faeces. It is common in dogs, particularly puppies, but understandably unpleasant for the humans who share their homes.

Some dogs eat their own faeces, while others target stools left by other dogs, cats, livestock or wildlife. Although coprophagia is often behavioural, a sudden change can occasionally indicate an underlying medical or nutritional problem.

The good news is that most cases can be managed through prompt clean-up, prevention, reward-based training and, when necessary, veterinary investigation.

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Quick Answer

Dogs may eat poop because of scavenging instincts, curiosity, learned behaviour, hunger, boredom, stress or easy access. Less commonly, increased appetite or poor nutrient absorption caused by illness may contribute.

The most effective plan usually involves:

• Preventing access to faeces

• Supervising every toilet break

• Rewarding the dog for immediately returning to you

• Providing adequate food, exercise and enrichment

• Avoiding punishment

• Arranging a veterinary examination if the behaviour is new, persistent or accompanied by other symptoms

Commercial supplements and home remedies rarely solve the underlying problem by themselves.

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Is Eating Faeces Normal?

Coprophagia can be a normal behaviour in certain situations.

Mother dogs naturally consume their puppies’ urine and faeces to keep the nesting area clean. Puppies may also investigate faeces as part of normal exploratory behaviour. Many grow out of this interest as they mature.

Dogs are opportunistic scavengers. To them, cat faeces, manure and partially digested food may smell more like an exciting buffet than a hygiene violation.

Research has found that frequent coprophagia occurs in a noticeable minority of dogs. It does not necessarily mean the dog has been poorly housetrained or is missing nutrients. Dogs described as highly food-motivated may be more likely to engage in the behaviour. Read the published study on canine coprophagia.

However, persistent coprophagia in an adult dog, or any new faeces-eating behaviour in a dog or cat, deserves closer attention.

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Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

There is rarely one universal explanation. Several factors may overlap.

Normal Scavenging Behaviour

Some dogs simply find faeces rewarding. If they successfully eat it several times, the behaviour can quickly become a strong habit.

Fresh stools may be especially attractive because they retain odours associated with food.

Puppy Exploration

Puppies investigate the world with their mouths. Faeces may become another object to sniff, pick up or swallow.

This does not mean puppies need to eat faeces to develop healthy gut bacteria. There is not enough evidence to recommend allowing the behaviour for microbiome development.

Learned Behaviour

A dog may learn to eat faeces because:

• It reliably provides an interesting taste or smell

• The owner chases them, accidentally turning it into a game

• They receive attention whenever they approach a stool

• They have learned to remove evidence of indoor accidents

Once repeatedly practised, the behaviour may continue even after the original trigger disappears.

Hunger or Inadequate Feeding

Dogs that are underfed, receiving an unsuitable diet or competing with other pets for food may search for additional calories.

This does not mean every dog eating faeces has a nutritional deficiency. Many affected dogs are healthy and receive complete, balanced diets.

Boredom and Lack of Enrichment

Dogs left alone in yards, kennels or confined spaces may investigate or consume faeces because there is little else to do.

Insufficient exercise, social interaction, sniffing opportunities and mental stimulation can all contribute.

Stress or Anxiety

Coprophagia may become more frequent during stressful periods, particularly in dogs experiencing:

• Excessive confinement

• Separation-related distress

• Household conflict

• Punishment around toileting

• Major changes in routine

• Competition with other animals

Keeping the Area Clean

Some dogs living in small or frequently soiled areas may begin consuming faeces to remove them from their resting space. This is more likely when clean-up is delayed or the dog cannot move away from the elimination area.

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Medical Conditions That May Contribute

Most coprophagia is behavioural, but medical conditions should be considered when the behaviour begins suddenly or occurs alongside other symptoms.

Possible contributors include:

• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

• Chronic intestinal disease or malabsorption

• Intestinal parasites

• Diabetes mellitus

• Cushing’s disease

• Conditions causing excessive hunger

• Inadequate calorie intake

• Cognitive decline in senior pets

• Medications that increase appetite, including corticosteroids

A medical problem becomes more likely if your pet also has:

• Weight loss

• Increased appetite

• Increased thirst or urination

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Large, pale, greasy or poorly formed stools

• Reduced energy

• Abdominal discomfort

• Changes in behaviour or awareness

Veterinary investigation may include a physical examination, dietary review, faecal testing, blood tests, urinalysis or specialised gastrointestinal testing.

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What About Cats?

True coprophagia is much less commonly reported in cats than in dogs.

A cat eating faeces may be displaying exploratory behaviour, pica, stress-related behaviour or a response to hunger or illness. Because it is unusual, especially in an adult cat, arrange a veterinary assessment rather than assuming it is simply a bad habit.

Dogs raiding cat litterboxes are far more common. Cat faeces can be attractive to dogs because cat food is often rich in protein and fat, leaving appealing odours behind.

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Is Eating Poop Dangerous?

Eating faeces is not always an emergency, but it is not risk-free.

Potential concerns include:

• Exposure to bacteria and other gastrointestinal pathogens

• Contact with parasite eggs, cysts or larvae

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Ingestion of cat litter

• Exposure to medications or toxins passed in another animal’s stool

• Increased contamination of the dog’s mouth, coat and home environment

Coprophagia can also complicate faecal test interpretation because swallowed parasite eggs may pass through the gastrointestinal tract without representing a true infection. Review the research on coprophagia and parasite testing.

Children, older adults, pregnant people and immunocompromised family members should avoid contact with contaminated saliva and practise particularly careful hand hygiene.

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When Is It an Emergency?

Contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic promptly if your pet has eaten faeces and develops:

• Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea

• Blood in the vomit or stool

• Severe lethargy or weakness

• Abdominal swelling or pain

• Tremors, seizures or collapse

• Difficulty breathing

• Loss of appetite

• Signs of dehydration

• Suspected ingestion of litter, foreign material or a toxin

Seek urgent advice if your dog has eaten faeces from an animal recently treated with medication, particularly livestock or horses treated with antiparasitic products.

Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian.

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How to Stop a Dog Eating Poop

Successful treatment relies heavily on preventing rehearsal. Every time the dog reaches the stool and eats it, the habit receives another reward.

Step 1: Arrange a Veterinary Check

Book an examination if:

• The behaviour appeared suddenly

• Your pet is an adult or senior

• Appetite has increased

• Weight is changing

• Stools are abnormal

• Your pet has vomiting, diarrhoea or increased thirst

• The behaviour continues despite careful management

Bring a fresh faecal sample if your clinic requests one.

Step 2: Clean Up Immediately

Removing access is the most reliable intervention.

• Scoop the yard at least once daily

• Pick up faeces immediately during supervised toilet breaks

• Keep litterboxes inaccessible to dogs

• Check the garden before allowing unsupervised access

• Avoid areas containing livestock manure or wildlife faeces

• Keep indoor toilet areas exceptionally clean

An automatic litterbox may help, but it should not replace secure dog-proof access control.

Step 3: Supervise Toilet Breaks

Take your dog outside on a lead.

As soon as they finish:

1. Calmly call them towards you.

2. Mark the response with “yes” or a clicker.

3. Reward with several high-value treats.

4. Move away together.

5. Pick up the stool immediately.

The reward should be valuable enough to compete with the stool. Chicken, cheese or another favourite food may be needed initially.

Do not rush towards the dog or attempt to grab the stool from beneath them. This can create competition and encourage faster swallowing.

Step 4: Teach a Reliable Recall

Practise recall away from faeces before expecting it to work during a tempting moment.

• Begin indoors with minimal distractions

• Use a cheerful cue such as “here”

• Reward every successful response

• Gradually practise in the garden

• Use a long line when additional safety is needed

Never use recall to scold your dog. Coming to you must remain safe and rewarding.

Step 5: Teach “Leave It” and “Drop”

“Leave it” means disengaging before picking something up. “Drop” means releasing something already in the mouth.

Train both skills with safe objects and valuable food rewards. If your dog guards items, growls or snaps when approached, do not attempt to remove objects manually. Seek professional assistance.

Step 6: Review the Diet

Feed a complete and balanced diet appropriate for your pet’s species, age, body condition and health.

Your veterinarian can help assess:

• Daily calorie intake

• Feeding frequency

• Diet digestibility

• Stool quality

• Competition between pets

• Whether gastrointestinal testing is appropriate

Avoid randomly adding vitamins, minerals or digestive enzymes. Excessive supplementation can be harmful and will not correct an undiagnosed disease.

Step 7: Increase Enrichment

Give your dog appropriate alternatives for exploring, sniffing, chewing and foraging.

Useful options include:

• Sniff-focused walks

• Food puzzle toys

• Scatter feeding in clean areas

• Training games

• Safe chew items

• Nose-work activities

• Supervised play

• Regular social interaction

Dogs with full, interesting lives are less likely to manufacture their own entertainment from whatever the backyard provides.

Step 8: Manage Access to Cat Litterboxes

Try:

• A baby gate with a small cat access opening

• A cat door leading to the litterbox room

• An elevated litterbox that the cat can reach safely

• A properly positioned covered litterbox

• A door latch that leaves a cat-sized opening

Ensure the solution remains comfortable for the cat. A difficult-to-access litterbox can contribute to inappropriate toileting.

Step 9: Consider a Basket Muzzle When Necessary

A properly fitted basket muzzle may prevent scavenging during walks while allowing the dog to pant, drink and receive treats.

The muzzle must be introduced gradually using positive reinforcement. Never leave a muzzled dog unsupervised, and do not use a fabric or sleeve muzzle for exercise or extended wear.

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Do Pineapple and Stool Additives Work?

Pineapple, pumpkin, meat tenderiser, probiotics and commercial stool deterrents are frequently suggested online.

Evidence for these approaches is limited and results are inconsistent. A study evaluating multiple commercial products found very low reported success rates. Prevention and supervised training remain considerably more reliable. See the published coprophagia research.

Do not add meat tenderiser, supplements or other substances to your pet’s food without veterinary advice. Some products may contain excessive sodium or ingredients that are inappropriate for an individual animal.

If a veterinary-approved deterrent is tried, it generally needs to be given to the animal producing the faeces. It will not help if the dog is eating stools produced by untreated animals in parks or public spaces.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Punishing the Dog

Yelling, chasing, hitting or rubbing a dog’s nose near faeces can create fear without reducing the motivation to eat it.

Punishment may teach the dog to:

• Swallow the stool faster

• Run away with it

• Eat only when nobody is watching

• Hide indoor accidents

• Avoid toileting near people

Turning It Into a Chase

Running towards the dog can transform the situation into a highly rewarding game. Use your trained recall, move away from the stool and reward the dog for following.

Relying Only on a Supplement

No powder can compensate for accessible stools, inadequate supervision or an untreated medical condition.

Repeating the Cue Without Reinforcement

Calling “leave it” repeatedly when the dog has not learned the behaviour weakens the cue. Train the skill in easier situations first.

Allowing Occasional Success

One successful litterbox raid can be extremely rewarding. Consistent prevention is essential while new habits develop.

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Preventing Coprophagia

The best long-term prevention plan includes:

• Prompt faeces removal

• Routine parasite prevention

• Regular veterinary examinations

• A complete and balanced diet

• Appropriate daily calories

• Supervised outdoor access

• Secure litterbox management

• Consistent recall and “leave it” training

• Adequate physical and mental enrichment

• Reward-based housetraining without punishment

Your veterinarian can recommend parasite testing and prevention appropriate for your pet’s lifestyle and location.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my puppy grow out of eating poop?

Some puppies lose interest as they mature, but waiting alone allows the behaviour to become established. Begin management and training immediately.

Does coprophagia mean my dog has a vitamin deficiency?

Usually not. Most affected dogs do not have a simple vitamin deficiency. However, increased hunger, maldigestion, malabsorption or inadequate calorie intake should be investigated when other symptoms are present.

Why does my dog eat cat poop but not dog poop?

Cat faeces may retain appealing protein and fat odours. Easy access to the litterbox also allows the behaviour to become repeatedly reinforced.

Should I change my dog’s food?

Not automatically. Review the diet, portion size and stool quality with your veterinarian before changing foods. Frequent unnecessary diet changes can create gastrointestinal upset.

Can my dog become infected with worms?

Eating faeces or exploring faecally contaminated areas may expose dogs to parasites and other pathogens. Maintain veterinary-recommended parasite prevention and arrange faecal testing when indicated.

Should I let my dog lick my face after eating poop?

Avoid face licking and contact with the mouth until you have cleaned the dog’s muzzle area and washed your hands. Do not use human toothpaste or harsh disinfectants inside your dog’s mouth.

How long does treatment take?

Improvement may begin quickly when access is completely prevented, but established habits can take weeks or months to change. Consistency matters more than finding a quick fix.

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Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Coprophagia is revolting to us, but it does not mean your dog is dirty, spiteful or badly behaved. In many cases, it is a rewarding scavenging habit that has been allowed to repeat.

Start with medical assessment when appropriate, remove access, supervise toilet breaks and reward your dog generously for moving away from faeces. A practical prevention plan is usually far more effective than punishment, pineapple or miracle powders.

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Get Personalised Support With ASK A VET™

Not sure whether your pet’s faeces-eating is behavioural, nutritional or medical? ASK A VET™ can help you review your pet’s diet, symptoms, stool quality, routine and home environment to identify the most appropriate next step.

Visit AskAVet.com or download the ASK A VET™ app for personalised veterinary guidance, behaviour support and practical training strategies tailored to your pet.