:quality(75))
:quality(75))
Dogs can surprise us. Sometimes, it's something nice, but other times it's rolling in something they shouldn't, getting messy or eating something they shouldn't (like poop).
A lot of the time, this is normal, instinctive l behaviour for dogs. But if you have an adult dog that loves to eat poop, you may want to rectify this behaviour.
Here, we discuss the reasons why dogs eat poop, the risks, and how to train your dog to stop it happening.
Types of poop eating
:quality(75))
There are different types of dog-poop eating (known as coprophagia in science circles).
It's important to recognise which type your dog falls into, as each has its own reasons for happening.
Eating their own poop (autocoprophagia)
Eating the poop of other animals or dogs(allocoprophagia)
Eating the poop of one specific dog
For example, if your dog is eating the poop of one specific dog, then it can indicate that the other dog is dealing with parasites or another health issue.
If you speak to your vet about this behaviour, they’ll need to know these details to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
The reasons for stool eating in dogs
:quality(75))
So, why do dogs eat faeces?
Behavioural causes
Anxiety and stress
Dogs who are suffering from separation anxiety or stress can engage in behaviours like stool eating. It may act as attention-seeking behaviour, particularly if the behaviour is mistakenly positively reinforced.
Boredom
Dogs who are isolated or crave attention may eat poop out of boredom or to seek attention. It's a sign that your dog may need mental health support, exercise or better mental enrichment.
Learned behaviour
Since mothers can eat their puppies' poop to keep them clean, a dog may see this as acceptable behaviour and mimic it.
Medical causes
Increased appetite might be caused by certain conditions that prevent your dog from absorbing all the nutrients from its food, such as a lack of digestive enzymes or parasites, as well as some metabolic and hormonal disorders.
Possible medical conditions that can cause poop eating include:
Anaemia - this can lead to pica (eating inappropriate things), but nobody is sure why this happens.
Cushing's disease - causes an increased appetite due to elevated cortisol, which stimulates hunger.
Dementia - this leads to dogs forgetting that they’ve recently eaten, meaning they can end up eating poop.
Diabetes - causes an increased appetite due to imbalances in a dog’s blood sugar.
Gastrointestinal disease - can cause malabsorption of essential nutrients, leading to a dog experiencing things like an appetite for faeces.
Hypothyroidism - leads to appetite changes due to dysfunction with the thyroid, a part of the body which controls hunger and energy.
Liver disease - can lead to pica as it messes up how a liver stores glycogen, leading to excessive hunger.
Pancreatic issues - can increase appetite as it disrupts blood sugar levels.
Vitamin deficiencies can lead to a dog seeking sustenance from strange places, like poop.
Nutritional causes
Common deficiencies that lead to a dog eating faeces are:
Vitamin B1 - This is essential for energy and keeping a dog's nervous system healthy. You can find this in things like eggs and salmon.
Enzymes - A lack of enzymes can impact your dog's digestion, and they can try to get these from poop. Your vet can help with this and will likely add enzyme supplementation or complex procedures like Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT).
Fibre - A lack of fibre can lead to gastrointestinal issues and symptoms like poop eating. You can chat to your vet about this, and they may consider adding food rich in things like sweet potato.
:quality(75))
Instinctive causes
Hunger
Eating poop can indicate hunger or an issue with your dog's appetite. Some medications can increase a dog's appetite, meaning if your dog has started eating poop, this may be why.
Instincts
There are instinctual reasons for dogs eating poop. For example, mothers may eat their puppies' poop to keep them clean.
Other dogs, especially those more closely related to wolves, may eat poop to "protect" the pack from parasites.
Smell or taste
Some dogs simply like the smell or taste.
If your dog has only recently started eating its poo and you think its appetite has increased dramatically, talk to your vet.
What does the science say about coprophagia in dogs?
:quality(75))
No one can say for certain why dogs develop a taste for faeces, but according to Benjamin Hart, director of the Center for Animal Behavior at Davis USA, who studied coprophagy in dogs, it might be an ancient instinct inherited from their wolf ancestors.
80% of dogs Hart studied preferred fresh poo, which he hypothesised is linked to the behaviour exhibited by an ill or lame wolf forced to go in its own den 15,000 years ago.
Because canine faeces contain intestinal parasite eggs, wolves would usually defecate away from their home.
An ill or lame wolf will protect itself from the infectious larvae that could hatch from eggs contained in the poo, and would instead digest the faeces before the larvae have had the chance to hatch.
Regardless of the reason, coprophagy is common among dogs. There doesn’t have to be anything wrong with your dog.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s a habit you’d like to keep.
How to stop your dog from eating poop - training methods
:quality(75))
Our positive reinforcement training guide covers more, but here are some examples if you need them:
"Leave it" command
Start by giving your dog low-value treats indoors. Hold them in a closed fist, let your dog sniff your hand and say "leave it" in a positive, firm tone.
When they back away, reward them with a treat.
Over time, make this harder, placing the treat on the floor, delaying rewards or using a higher-value treat with a more difficult challenge.
For later training, add distractions like toys and other food items.
Once they pass these steps, try it with poop when on walks. Make sure you reward your dog with a treat or positive affirmation if they successfully ignore the poop and look at you.
Be consistent, be positive and never punish or shout at your dog if they take time to get up to speed.
We cover this in our basic dog training guide.
Recall training
A dog who knows recall can be trained to run away from poop if you notice it first. It's a good tool to have on walks.
To teach recall, you'll need to:
Pick a cue: Words like "come" and "here" or using something like a whistle can work.
Practice a few steps at home nearby first, then increase the distance outside.
Try short, regular practice sessions - keep it consistent but don't overtrain your dog or stress them out
Reward your dog when they succeed - you can start with treats and food, then graduate to verbal praise
Over time, make it harder: add distractions like food and toys. When they succeed at this step, you're ready to practice it in the wild.
Our recall training guide covers more.
Leash and muzzle training
Should the above steps fail, keeping your dog on a leash or with a muzzle can stop them from eating faeces.
Our lead-training guide covers how to train a dog to walk on a leash properly
How to manage a dog eating poop
:quality(75))
Don’t leave any poo lying around. Try to clean up after your dog as soon as it’s gone. If you have cats, try to scoop their poo out of their litter trays as frequently as you can
Don’t respond emotionally as your dog might misinterpret your reaction and deduce that eating poo gets him or her attention.
Train your dog to respond to an appropriate command like "Don't eat that".
Use a leash: Keep your dog on a leash so you can quickly lead them away from the poop.
If the behaviour persists, speak to your vet or a qualified behavioural specialist.
Mental stimulation
If your dog eats faeces because they're bored, you may just need to freshen up their mental enrichment.
Always seek advice on training from a registered or qualified canine behaviourist.
When to worry about a dog eating poop (and when to see a vet)
:quality(75))
You should see a vet if your dog is eating poop regularly, the behaviour is sudden or you notice any other signs of illness.
Generally, look out for signs like:
Your dog is vomiting or has diarrhoea.
Coat changes, like the fur becoming oily.
Rapid or unexplained weight loss.
Declining or poor mental health, like anxiety or depression.
Eating poop from one particular dog (this may mean that dog has something wrong with them).
Generally, if you're worried, please see a vet. They're there to help, and regular vet visits are the foundation of good, preventative pet care.
How dog insurance can help
Our dog insurance can help dogs who are experiencing ill health (terms apply) with up to £15,000 vet fee cover on our Complete policy, 24/7 video call access to a professional with FirstVet and a host of ManyPets Perks.
:quality(75))
Frequently asked questions
Why do dogs eat cat poop?
Dogs eat cat poop for similar reasons as above, but it's more likely to point to:
Boredom or curiosity
Hunger for protein
Nutritional deficiency
The smell
Why do dogs eat fox poop?
Dogs eat fox poop for the same or similar reasons as the above too, but it's more likely to do with the smell. This is especially true if you own a breed like a Springer Spaniel which tends to roll in strong scents.
Is a dog eating poop always a sign of bad health?
No, it's not. In fact, around 25% of dogs just like to eat poop. But even if there's no sign of ill health, it's a good idea to stop it as it risks your dog developing health problems.
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))