How To Stop Your Dog From Eating His Own Poop

One of the more unappetizing habits of dogs is when they start to eat their own poop. It is a relatively common issue, called coprophagia, and it is a behavior that all pet parents want to stop.  There are a few reasons why your dog might be eating his poop and there are ways to stop this behavior from continuing.

As always, if your dog is eating poop on a regular basis, make sure to take your dog to your veterinarian to see if there is a medical condition that is causing him to eat the poop.

Why Do Dogs Eat Their Own Poop?

1. Dogs Like the Taste

While it’s hard to believe, many dogs will begin to eat their own feces at a young age (puppyhood). Some pups grow out of this normal behavior while others continue this into adulthood.

Eating the feces of other species is also considered natural behavior in the dog world.  In fact, most dogs love the taste of cat poop. This could be due to the high-protein diets of cats.

2. Illness or Certain Diseases

Certain diseases and illnesses can cause a dog to eat his own feces. One of the symptoms of some medical conditions is increased appetite or ingestion of inappropriate items (called pica). Even an illness that changes the consistency or smell of the stool of your dog might make a dog want to eat his own stool.

3. Anxiety, Fear, and Stress

A dog in fear or under a great deal of stress may eat his own stool. This may be a kind of self-soothing mechanism in some cases. However, if a dog is punished for inappropriate pooping, he may associate the punishment with the presence of feces. By eating the feces, he is removing the "evidence" to avoid punishment.

4. Nutritional Deficiency

If your dog’s diet is lacking in essential nutrients, your pup might resort to eating his stool in an attempt to fulfill those deficiencies. This could happen if your dog’s food isn’t as well-balanced as it should be or of lower quality or poorly balanced. A lack of enzymes or vitamins might drive the behavior.

5. Curiosity

Some dogs, especially puppies, may eat poop out of sheer curiosity. They explore the world with their mouths, and this behavior can sometimes linger into adulthood if not addressed early.

Is It Dangerous for a Dog to Eat His Own Poop?

In general, it isn’t dangerous—just unpleasant. But, if your pooch ingests the poop of a sick dog, he could get very ill himself. Parasites such as worms can also be transmitted through the ingestion of feces, which is clearly not something you want for your dog. Additionally, consuming poop that contains harmful bacteria can cause digestive upset or infections.

And, if the behavior of poop eating is ongoing, it can definitely cause digestive issues or worse which is why it’s important to get it under control.

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop:

1. Feed Your Dog a High-Quality Dog Food

Make sure that you’re feeding your dog a high-quality, nutritious diet. A good dog food is highly digestible and results in fewer stools. The poop will also be less attractive as potential snacks because it won’t be full of undigested fillers and junk that cheaper, lower-quality foods contain.

2. Provide Plenty of Enrichment and Exercise

It can help your dog’s poop eating habit by ensuring that your dog is getting enough mental and physical stimulation. Boredom can sometimes lead to undesirable behaviors like coprophagia. Engage your dog with toys, puzzles, and regular exercise to keep his mind and body active.

3. Make Sure to Scoop the Poop Up Quickly

As soon as your dog eliminates, pick up the poop right away. If you are on a walk, grab it. If it is on your grass at home, again, pick it up immediately. Don’t leave it (if you can help it) and give your pup a chance to eat it.

4. Train Your Dog to Stop Eating the Poop

Training can be an effective tool in curbing coprophagia. Teach your dog the "leave it" command and reward him when he listens. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to breaking the habit. It is the same kind of training that you would try with your dog if he is eating items on his or her walk.

 5. Use a Leash When You Take Your Dog Out

Keep your dog on a leash when you take him out. If he’s a dedicated stool eater, use the leash even if he’s just going potty in the backyard. If he tries to nibble on his stool, tell him “no” firmly and tug his leash as a correction. Redirect his interest right away with a treat or a game.

6. Try Placing Something Spicy on Your Pup’s Stools

You can try pouring hot sauce (or something similar) onto the stool piles. It will make them a lot less appetizing to your puppy. The hot stuff will hopefully associate eating poop with an unpleasant hot taste. Be sure to monitor your dog to make sure that this method is safe and effective for him.

7. Use Coprophagia Remedies

You can ask your vet to recommend some products that could help deter the condition. Usually, these are supplements added to your dog’s food that make the poop taste less appealing. Once this type of food passes through your dog’s digestive system, your dog will be less interested in eating his poop!

8. Keep Your Dog’s Environment Clean

In multi-pet households, make sure that litter boxes or other pets’ poop are not accessible to your dog. Consider using a covered litter box or placing it in a location your dog cannot reach.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your veterinarian rules out a medical condition and none of the above strategies work, it might be time for a pet behavioral specialist. They can assess your dog’s environment and behavior and develop a customized plan to address the issue effectively.

By addressing the root causes of coprophagia and implementing these strategies, you can help your dog overcome this unpleasant habit.