Why Does My Dog Like to Eat Poop?

There are plenty of things that our dogs do that make us smile, but eating poop probably isn't one of them. You might catch your dog sniffing around the yard, investigating the litter box, or even turning around to eat his own poop. It's unpleasant, a little baffling, and often leaves pet parents wondering what on earth is going through their dog's mind.

The behavior, known as coprophagia, is more common in dogs than you might think. While it can seem extremely unpleasant to us, dogs don't necessarily view poop the same way we do. Sometimes, eating poop is simply a habit or an opportunity to investigate an interesting smell. In other cases, it can point to boredom, stress, dietary issues, or an underlying health problem.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

Dogs may eat their own poop, the poop of other dogs, cat poop, or even droppings from other animals. The reasons vary depending on the dog's age, diet, and individual behavior.

The trick is to try to understand what motivates your dog to eat his poop so you can address the problem.

1. It's a Natural Instinct

Although eating poop might seem completely unnatural to us, it isn't an unusual behavior in the canine world. Mother dogs naturally lick their puppies to stimulate elimination and clean up after them by eating their waste. This helps keep the puppies and their nesting area clean during the early weeks of life.

Puppies may observe this behavior and investigate poop themselves as they explore their surroundings. They also use their mouths to learn about the world, much as human babies do. While most puppies outgrow this behavior, some continue eating poop into adulthood.

2. Your Dog Likes the Smell or Taste

Dogs experience the world largely through their noses, and their sense of smell is far more powerful than ours. What smells yucky to us may be interesting to a dog, especially when it contains traces of undigested food.

Some dogs seem particularly attracted to cat poop. Cats digest their food differently from dogs, and their feces can contain appealing food-related odors. This may explain why your dog makes a beeline for the litter box whenever you turn your back.

Dogs may also eat the poop of other dogs or animals because of its smell, texture, or contents. Although we might never understand the appeal, dogs don't necessarily share our ideas about what makes something appetizing.

3. Your Dog Is Hungry or Looking for Food

Hunger can also contribute to poop eating, particularly in dogs that don't receive enough food for their energy needs. Dogs with a strong appetite may also investigate anything that seems edible, including feces.

However, eating poop doesn't automatically mean your dog is hungry or that you're not feeding him enough. Many dogs that eat feces receive complete, balanced diets and maintain healthy body weights.

4. Your Dog Is Bored or Unstimulated

Dogs need more than food, water, and a comfortable place to sleep. They also need physical exercise, mental stimulation, and opportunities to explore their surroundings.

When dogs don't get enough activity or feel bored, they may develop unwanted habits to entertain themselves. Eating poop can become one of those habits, particularly when a dog spends long periods alone in the yard.

Some dogs also discover that investigating feces provides an interesting activity when nothing else is happening.  The best way to combat this it to add more walks, interactive toys, scent games, and short training sessions to give your dog healthier ways to occupy his time.

5. Your Dog Is Stressed or Anxious

Stress and anxiety can contribute to repetitive or unusual behaviors, including coprophagia. Dogs experiencing changes in their environment, separation anxiety, or conflict with other pets may develop habits that help them cope with uncomfortable feelings.

Some dogs may also eat poop because they associate it with a negative reaction from their pet parents. For example, if a dog has been repeatedly scolded for pooping inside, he may begin eating his feces in an attempt to get rid of the evidence.

If your dog eats poop and also shows signs of anxiety, such as pacing, excessive licking, destructive behavior, or difficulty settling down, consider whether stress may be contributing to the problem. And try not to punish your dog, since this can make anxiety worse.

6. Your Dog Has Learned That It Gets Your Attention

Dogs are observant, and they quickly learn which behaviors get a reaction from their pet parents. If your dog grabs a piece of poop and you immediately rush over, shout, or chase him around the yard, he may find the interaction exciting.

For some dogs, the chase itself becomes part of the fun. Others may learn to swallow the poop quickly before you can take it away. The best thing you can do in this case is to calmly redirect your dog to an appropriate place and reward him for coming to you and leaving the poop alone.

7. Your Dog Has a Medical or Nutritional Problem

Although many dogs eat poop out of curiosity or habit, sometimes a medical issue contributes to the behavior. Conditions that interfere with digestion or nutrient absorption can leave dogs feeling unusually hungry or cause them to seek out additional food sources.

Potential contributors include intestinal parasites, digestive disorders, and conditions that affect the body's ability to regulate appetite, such as diabetes or Cushing's disease. Certain medications, including corticosteroids, can also increase appetite.

If your dog suddenly develops coprophagia, especially alongside weight loss, increased thirst, diarrhea, vomiting, or a noticeable change in appetite, have your veterinarian evaluate him.

Why Does My Dog Eat His Own Poop?

When your dog eats his own poop, it can be particularly confusing because your dog has already digested that food once. However, several of the reasons discussed above may explain why he does it.

Some dogs develop the habit during puppyhood and continue it as adults. Others may find feces appealing because of its odor or because they have learned that eating it provides an opportunity for exploration or attention.

In some cases, poorly digested food may leave feces with a more appealing smell. If your dog regularly eats his own poop and also seems unusually hungry or has changes in his stool, your veterinarian can help determine whether a digestive issue might be contributing.

The best approach is to pick up feces immediately after your dog goes to the bathroom, supervise him closely, and reward him for moving away from it. The less opportunity he has to practice the behavior, the easier it may be to break the habit.

Why Does My Dog Eat Cat Poop?

Cat poop seems to be a particular favorite for many dogs. Some dogs like cat poop because their feces contain food-related odors that they find appealing. Cats and dogs have different dietary needs and digestive processes, and some of the material in cat feces may still smell interesting to a dog.

Access also plays a role. Litter boxes are often located in convenient indoor spots, giving dogs plenty of opportunities to investigate when nobody is watching.

Eating cat poop can expose dogs to intestinal parasites and harmful bacteria. Dogs may also swallow cat litter along with the feces. Large amounts of litter, particularly clumping litter, can cause gastrointestinal problems and potentially contribute to an intestinal obstruction.

The easiest solution is to make the litter box inaccessible to your dog while ensuring your cat can still reach it comfortably. Consider using a cat-only room with a gate, a secure litter box enclosure, or a raised location that your cat can easily access but your dog can’t.

Is It Dangerous for Dogs to Eat Poop?

Eating poop isn't always followed by illness, but it isn't a habit you should ignore. The risks depend on whose feces your dog eats, how frequently he does it, and whether the feces contain infectious organisms or harmful substances.

Feces from other dogs, cats, and wildlife may contain intestinal parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Your dog may also encounter feces contaminated with medications or other substances that could be harmful if ingested.

Eating feces can also expose your dog to gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. Repeated poop eating may make it harder to identify and prevent exposure to parasites or other infectious agents.

If your dog eats poop, contact your veterinarian if he develops vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal discomfort, or other unusual symptoms.  And make sure to see your vet if your dog might have swallowed a substantial amount of cat litter or may have consumed feces contaminated with medication or a toxic substance.

Even if your dog seems perfectly fine, keep his parasite prevention and routine veterinary care up to date. Your veterinarian can recommend fecal testing based on his habits and exposure risks.

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop

The best way to break the poop-eating habit usually requires a combination of management, training, and patience. There isn't one solution that works for every dog, but a few practical changes can make a real difference.

1. Pick Up The Poop Immediately

One of the most effective ways to stop your dog from eating his own poop is remove the opportunity. Pick up poop as soon as your dog finishes and keep your yard free of waste as much as possible.

During walks, keep an eye on your dog's surroundings and steer him away from feces left by other animals. If your dog regularly searches for poop in the yard, supervise outdoor bathroom breaks rather than letting him roam unsupervised.

2. Teach Your Dog to Leave It

Teaching a reliable "leave it" command can help prevent your dog from approaching or eating poop. Start by practicing with low-value items in a quiet environment, rewarding him when he turns away from an object and focuses on you.

Gradually practice in more distracting settings. When your dog finishes eliminating, call him toward you and reward him with a tasty treat before he has a chance to turn around and investigate his stool.

Make sure to keep your training positive and consistent. Chasing, yelling, or punishing your dog can increase stress and may encourage him to swallow the poop more quickly.

3. Provide Enough Exercise and Mental Stimulation

If you think boredom contributes to your dog's behavior, increasing his daily activity may help. Regular walks, sniffing opportunities, puzzle feeders, food-dispensing toys, and short training sessions give him more appropriate ways to use his energy.

Mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercise. Even a few minutes of learning a new trick can give your dog a rewarding activity that doesn't involve searching for feces.

4. Feed Your Dog A Complete, Balanced Diet

Make sure your dog eats an appropriate amount of a complete and balanced diet for his age, size, and activity level. If he seems constantly hungry, talk with your veterinarian about his feeding schedule and nutritional needs rather than simply increasing his food.

Avoid adding supplements or changing his diet solely because he eats poop. Your veterinarian can help determine whether a dietary adjustment is appropriate, particularly if your dog has digestive symptoms or unexplained weight changes.

When Should You See Your Veterinarian?

Occasional poop eating in an otherwise healthy dog may be a behavioral issue, but a veterinary examination is a good idea if the behavior is new, frequent, or difficult to manage.

Contact your veterinarian if your dog eats poop regularly and also has increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, changes in thirst, or other unusual symptoms. These signs may point to a medical condition that needs attention.

Your veterinarian may recommend a physical examination, fecal testing for intestinal parasites, bloodwork, or other tests depending on your dog's symptoms and medical history. This can help rule out underlying causes before you focus entirely on behavior modification.

Final Thoughts

As unpleasant as it may be, poop eating is a relatively common behavior in dogs. Your dog might be following an instinct, investigating an interesting smell, looking for stimulation, or responding to a habit he developed as a puppy. Occasionally, a medical issue may also play a role.

The good news is that many dogs can learn to stop eating poop with consistent training and a few simple adjustments. Pick up the feces promptly, limit access to litter boxes and other animals' waste, reward your dog for leaving poop alone, and avoid punishment.

With patience and the right approach, you can help your dog leave this unpleasant behavior behind (pun intended!)