Do dogs really eat poop? Yes, and not for the reasons you might think. Here are the reasons why dogs eat poop, how to tell if your dog is sick, and the truth about natural remedies to stop your dog eating poop.
Is it normal for dogs to eat poop?
When dogs eat poop, it’s actually a common behavior, especially in puppies and young dogs, according to Dr. Alex Yeager, emergency veterinarian at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She says the behavior, called coprophagy, which can seem repulsive to humans, is similar to toddlers putting everything in their mouths – it’s a way of learning about the world around them. But with dogs, there may be deeper underlying medical issues. Let’s take a closer look at some of these reasons.
Why do dogs eat poop?
Dogs eat poop because they’re following another dog’s lead, because it’s attention-seeking behavior, or because they’re anxious. female dogs usually eat poop after giving birth. The new mother may eat her puppies’ poop to keep the den clean. And she often licks her puppies to stimulate their need to poop. Sometimes her pups just follow her lead and start the habit.
But for other dogs, eating poop can be a behavioral issue that draws attention, even when the seemingly dirty habit triggers negative reinforcement from their parent, Dr. Yeager says.
Anxiety or stress can also be factors. Researchers have found links between coprophagia and dogs exposed to harsh toilet training methods. The idea is that some dogs try to eat their poo before their parent finds out and punishes them. They try to hide the evidence, and eating it is their way of getting rid of it. It can even happen inside a crate, where it can become a learned behavior. Dogs kept in isolation may eat their poo because they feel very stressed and neglected.
My dog eats his poop, is he sick?
There are several medical conditions that could be linked to dogs eating poop – coprophagia. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to check or eliminate these problems:
Some of these conditions have simple treatment, such as deworming. Other times it’s a temporary problem – dogs on steroids are extremely prone to coprophagia and will snack on anything they can find, including poop.
Is there research on why dogs eat poop?
There isn’t a ton of research on this habit. If only we knew exactly what dogs are thinking!
But researchers from the University of California, Davis surveyed thousands of dog owners in a 2018 study, which used data from previous studies to shed some light on the matter. During the study, they found that around a quarter of the dogs ate poop at least once over a six-month period. Meanwhile, about 16% of dogs were obsessive poop eaters, eating more than six times. And they formed a tentative theory that the habit may trace back to the ancestors of our canine companions – wolves.
Other results indicate that coprophagia is more common in bitches, multi-dog households, dogs diagnosed with anxiety, dogs living in crowded or high-volume shelters, and among dogs labeled greedy – those who steal food from their fellow doggos.
How to stop a dog from eating poop
For anxious dogs, anti-anxiety medications prescribed by your veterinarian can be a big help, says Dr. Yeager, in helping your dog stop eating poop. If the problem is behavioral, it may take time and patience, but experts agree that dogs can unlearn to eat poop.
Rhonda Renwick, a certified dog trainer with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), volunteers her training services to the non-profit Great Dog Program of Harrisburg, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is used to helping other pet owners with their dogs’ behavioral issues.
So when one of Rhonda’s own dogs, Bella, started eating poop, Rhonda did two things: she taught Bella the “let it go” signal, and she became a stalker in her backyard. In other words, she watched Bella go about her business, as often as she could. And if Bella went near her poop, as if to eat it, Rhonda tried to be consistent in telling her to leave it. And here’s the most important part: When Bella listened to Rhonda and walked away from the poo, Rhonda gave the praise.
Bella thrived on this positive reinforcement, which eventually helped her kick the habit. Rhonda encourages other pet parents to develop an emotional bank account with their dogs. Investing in the relationship with your dog will pay dividends, if ever training is needed. It’s a way of acknowledging that you love your dog, even if you don’t like one of his behaviors like eating poop.
Do home remedies prevent dogs from eating poop?
There are several products on the market that claim, when given to dogs, will make their poop taste bad, but Dr. Yeager says these products don’t actually help dogs kick the habit. Additionally, she warns pet owners to check ingredients, as some of these products contain garlic and onion, which are toxic to dogs. Although often touted as a quick fix, these products could do more harm than good.
Will diet changes help?
Sometimes your dog’s food does not satisfy him or does not provide him with enough nutrients. Find out if your dog might have a nutritional deficiency by talking to your veterinarian about high-quality, well-formulated dietary recommendations. Changing your dog’s food could end his poop days.
What should I do if my dog eats cat poop?
To prevent this, Dr. Yeager advises keeping litter boxes clean and collected. Also, placing litter boxes in protective boxes could solve the problem. Trash cans simply prevent dogs from accessing cat poop.
How do I stop my dog from eating poop in the crate?
This habit could have developed when your dog was a housekeeper or a behavior he learned under stress in a crowded shelter. Shelter dogs should have access to indoor and outdoor spaces, but unfortunately not all shelters operate this way. That’s according to IAABC Certified Associate Member Natahnee Miller, who previously worked as a behavioral care director for a large shelter.
Natahnee offers the following tips for ending poo eating habits:
- Try to manage the problem by keeping the yard clean.
- Go out with your dog, pick up the poop as soon as possible and take it away.
- If you catch your dog trying to eat his poop, interrupt and redirect him in the moment until you have the next tip going.
- Train them to a strong “leave it” signal.
Keep a clean space for your dog
Keep your dog’s living area as clean as possible, including the yard. According to Dr. Yeager, dogs are more likely to attack old, hard poop that has baked in the sun than fresh poop. She also encourages pet parents to take frequent, supervised walks with their dogs, as walking-induced poop captured in doggie bags will keep the yard cleaner, reduce the risk of future nibbling, and you’ll also benefit from healthy exercise together for a win. win-win.
In conclusion, while there’s still a lot we don’t understand about why dogs eat poop, there are plenty of solutions for pet owners. Patience and consistency are essential, as well as a reminder of how much you ultimately love your dog.
