Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? Veterinarians Offer Potential Reasons and How to Stop It

Have you ever felt the impending doom of watching your dog find poop in the yard? It almost happens in slow motion: you see the dog spot the poop, they even look at you as if to say “Yes, I’m going to do it,” and before you can stop your pup, they’re darting toward the feces and picking it up with their mouth. What are you supposed to do? Get poop all over your hands by trying to get it out of your dog’s mouth? Yuck! Despite these animals drinking from the toilet and sniffing each other’s butts, this is arguably the grossest dog behavior. So, if you’ve ever defeatedly thought to yourself: “Why does my dog eat poop?” you’re not alone.  

“Is it normal for dogs to eat poop? Well, yes and no,” says Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, Veterinary Medical Advisor for Rover. “Some dogs, regardless of how well we feed them, will have an inherent interest in eating poop. The scent and taste apparently appeal to them. Ingestion of feces, also known as coprophagia, can be seen with digestive diseases (when extreme), behavioral problems, but can also be a normal (albeit gross!) phenomenon.” 

Why does my dog eat poop?

There are a few reasons your dog might eat poop, and spoiler alert: in most cases, it’s nothing to be worried about. 

1. Basic instinct 

It might seem like an obvious answer, but the history behind a dog’s instinct to eat poop is interesting. In a study performed by scientists at the University of California, Davis, the habit was found to be an expression of an adaptive behavior inherited from ancestral wolves. This was used as a defense against parasites of wolves living in nature where feces of injured or sick pack members might be deposited in the in and around the den and posing widespread health risks.  

If wolves were to remove the feces from rest areas where infective larvae from intestinal parasites would become more numerous over time, consumption would be the only method available, the study says.  

“Dogs are scavengers by nature, and this behavior can stem from their ancestral roots when they had to fend for themselves in the wild,” says Alex Crow, MRCVS, UK-based veterinary surgeon. “Additionally, puppies might mimic their mother’s behavior during their early weeks, as mother dogs naturally clean their den by eating their puppies’ feces to keep the environment hygienic.” 

Dr. Greenstein adds that this is a normal behavior in puppies who eat feces to establish their gut microbiome. 

2. Health issues 

Coprophagia can be a side effect of a serious digestive problem. Gastrointestinal issues or pancreatic insufficiency can lead to poor nutrient absorption, prompting the dog to seek out other sources of nourishment, says Dr. Crow. Dr. Greenstein notes that certain drugs like steroids and anti-seizure medications can increase the likelihood of poop eating as well. It’s important to point out, she says, that perfectly healthy dogs do this as well. 

3. Behavioral motivations 

In addition to copying the behavior of their mothers who are acting on protective instincts, puppies also tend to simply investigate and play with anything that smells intriguing to them — poop included.  

“Coprophagia is often associated with long periods of under stimulation and access to feces,” says Dr. Greenstein. “It can be a learned behavior from other dogs in the home and can be self-reinforcing. It can arise from separation anxiety and attention-seeking behavior as well.” 

Is it dangerous for dogs to eat poop?

There are health risks that can be posed by coprophagia. It can cause GI upset, intestinal parasites, transmit certain infectious diseases, and even lead to second-hand ingestion of toxins or medications, says Dr. Greenstein. This is because feces can contain roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, which can infect the dog upon ingestion, Dr. Crow explains. He adds that these parasites can cause significant health issues including weight loss, diarrhea and anemia. 

“Secondly, bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella are prevalent in fecal matter,” Dr. Crow says. “Ingesting these can lead to gastrointestinal infections, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Moreover, some of these bacteria can be zoonotic, meaning they can transfer from dogs to humans, posing a risk to pet owners as well.” 

How to get your dog to stop eating poop 

Experts say that since this is a naturally driven behavior, patience and a multifaceted strategy is best. Dr. Greenstein suggests starting with consistent supervision of their bathroom breaks, picking up poop immediately and distracting them to limit opportunity. For cases driven by boredom and anxiety, environmental enrichment, increased exercise and play are helpful, she says. Additionally, you should use positive reinforcement to ensure you’ve laid the foundation of basic obedience training, so your dog has a strong foundational understanding of commands including “give” and “drop.”  

You can also investigate potential tablets or powders that can alter the taste of your dog’s feces and make it unappetizing for them, but you should always talk with your vet first. 

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For more stories on canine health:

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