Why Dogs Eat Poop — And What You Should Do About It

Dog eating poop is one of the grossest aspects of owning a dog. My friend’s black labrador loves to get into the litter box of the family cat for a snack and sometimes nibbles on other dogs’ poop. Why do dogs engage in this seemingly odd behavior, and how can you stop them from doing it?

The scientific term for dog eating poop is canine feces, and, it’s actually quite common. Research shows that as many as 15 percent of dogs eat poop on a regular basis, and nearly 25 percent eat poop at least once in their lives.

Eating poop may be more common if you have multiple dogs. Research shows that more than 30% of dogs that live with other dogs like to eat poop. Female dogs are most likely to eat poop, while intact male dogs are least likely to. Most dogs that eat poop will only eat poop that is one to two days old. Most people also don’t like to eat their own poop — in one study, 85 percent of dogs would only eat other dogs’ poop.

Dogs who have been confined for a period of time in a small space or isolated are also more likely to eat poop. So if you’ve just brought a dog home from a crowded shelter, don’t be surprised if they start eating poop at first.

So, why do dogs eat poop?

there are many reasons Dogs eat poop. Veterinary experts believe the habit may be due to anxiety, fear, or living in a state of isolation or confinement.

Dogs are scavengers. They have evolved to eat leftovers and whatever they can find. So eating poop may have evolved into a survival instinct in times of economic downturn. With this reasoning, it makes sense that dogs that beg for food at the table and are very food motivated tend to be the most likely to enjoy eating poop. However, there are other reasons your dog might be eating poop.

It could also be a protective instinct. When a young dog lives with an older or sick dog, there is a good chance that the younger dog will eat the older dog’s poop. Some experts believe this is a survival tactic that prevents predators from learning that a particular member of a wolf pack may be more vulnerable.

clean up

After giving birth, the bitch often eats the pup’s poop to clean up the litter. Once the puppies are out of milk, she usually stops eating their poop. Usually bitches stop eating poop 3-4 weeks after delivery.

In some cases, eating poop is actually a behavior that is passed from the mother to the puppy. If a puppy smells mommy’s breath, it may learn this behavior.

they want your attention

Smart dogs know how to get your attention, even negative attention. Some dogs will misbehave just to get you to look in their direction. If you’ve reacted strongly to their poop-eating in the past, they’ll know you’ll reprimand them. If you suspect that your dog is doing this for attention, don’t overreact, simply redirect their attention to something else, such as a dog toy or dog treat, and the behavior may stop on its own.

Insufficient diet

If your dog suddenly starts eating poop, it could be a sign of an inadequate diet. They may not be getting all the nutrients or calories they need from dog food. If you notice this is a sudden behavior change, consult your veterinarian. They may recommend a nutrient-dense dog food or supplements to help improve this behavior.

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training anxiety

Being too harsh on your dog during home training can lead to poop-eating behavior. If the dog accidentally gets second in the house, they will eat it to try and cover it up. However, if you catch them and reprimand them further, their anxiety may cause them to shit more often around the house. This can lead to a vicious cycle. That’s why experts agree that positive reinforcement is the best way to train most dogs. Reward your dog for good behavior instead of punishing them for bad behavior.

mishandled

If your dog is fed too close to their droppings, they may get confused and associate the food with the droppings. Make sure your dog’s food bowl is far enough away from their favorite pooping spot, and if they’re in the same area, be sure to clean up their poo before feeding.

malabsorption of nutrients

Certain diseases that dogs can suffer from, such as parasites, can cause them to absorb less nutrients from their food. Other times, part of the digestive system malfunctions, such as part of the intestine or pancreas. If your dog’s system isn’t absorbing nutrients, it may instinctively eat feces and other things like sand, dirt, and even drywall in an attempt to correct the imbalance. If you notice that your dog is eating a lot of non-food items, take them to the vet to find out what’s going on.

Sometimes there is also undigested food in the poop and the dog wants to give it a second chance. If your dog is regularly not fully digesting their food, you also need to check with your vet to find out what’s going on.

Disorders or medications that cause increased appetite

Certain conditions, such as Cushing’s disease or diabetes, can cause dogs to want to eat more. Increased appetite can also be a side effect of certain medications, including steroids. If your dog feels they’re not getting the calories they need, they’ll try to fix the problem the best way they know how. The easiest food to come by might just be some poo.

Make sure your dog is getting the right food for his health condition, like this food formulated for dogs with allergies:

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Is Eating Poop Dangerous For Dogs?

For humans, eating poop is a big taboo. But is dog poop really that bad? The answer is: it depends. If they eat their own poo, that’s perfectly fine. However, the droppings of other dogs or other animals can be contaminated with parasites, bacteria or viruses that can harm your dog. So, in general, it’s best to stop your dog eating poop.

How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop

Preventing your dog from eating poop starts with good training and a good home environment. Keep your dog’s indoor and outdoor areas away from poop so they don’t lick off poop treats when they’re in a bad mood. If you have a multi-animal household, also keep away from other pets’ droppings. Put the litter box out of reach, or find one that is difficult for dogs to break into. Your cat might appreciate the privacy!

behavioral prevention

On walks, carefully supervise your dog. Don’t let it eat anything on the street. Always make sure you have a dog bag with you and clean it up right after your dog poops. Throw the puppy bag in a closed trash can to keep the poop away from your furry friend and other dogs in the area.

When training your dog, practice the “leave it” and “come” commands. You can use “leave it” when your dog starts eating something disgusting, and you can use “come” to quickly get them away from the potential chew item. One way to train your dog not to eat poop is to give them a treat right after they poop outside. By doing this, you can train your dog to come back to you as soon as he poops.

When all else fails, there are some taste aversion products you can try. They either have a smell that dogs hate, such as garlic or chamomile, or they have a bitter taste. Spray it on poop and let your dog eat it. They soon discover that poop tastes just as disgusting as their owners think it does.

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solve health problems

If your dog eats poop stemming from a medical problem, behavioral deterrents are of little value. Try giving your dog a multivitamin. This may help if your dog’s love for poop treats stems from a vitamin deficiency.

Another supplement that can help is digestive enzymes. Modern puppy diets are a bit different than what their canine ancestors ate in the wild. Because of this, some dogs may not be able to properly or fully digest their dog food. Digestive enzymes help them get all the nutrients from their food.

You should contact your veterinarian any time your dog exhibits a worrisome new behavior. Taking care of your dog will only help! However, if your dog has always enjoyed eating poop, you don’t need to worry too much about this rude behavior.

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