Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Coprophagia Explained

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

It is one of the most distasteful dog behaviors, yet it is common and not always a sign of something wrong.

Types of coprophagia

• Eating their own stool
• Eating other dogs' stool
• Eating cat or wildlife droppings

Each may have different reasons.

Possible causes

• Normal puppy exploration: young dogs investigate with their mouths.
• Learned behavior: copying others or reacting to clean-up reactions.
• Boredom or lack of stimulation.
• Stress or anxiety. See dog stress signals checklist.
• Attention seeking: if dogs notice a strong reaction.
• Hunger or feeding issues: competition for food, or fast eating.
• Nutritional inadequacy or malabsorption: some dogs may seek nutrients.
• Parasites or digestive disease: which can affect absorption.
• Mother dog instincts: mothers clean up after pups.
• Palatability of cat feces, which can be high in protein.

Research has not established a single cause, and several theories exist.

Health risks

Stool can carry parasites, bacteria and viruses. Dogs eating stool may be exposed to intestinal parasites, or ingest medications from other animals. Cat feces can carry parasites.

Talk to your vet

Mention the behavior at your vet visit. Your vet may check for parasites, assess diet and recommend tests if needed. See how to read a dog food label for diet quality.

Prevention strategies

1. Pick up promptly, inside and outside.
2. Supervise on walks and keep dogs on leash.
3. Teach "leave it" and "come."
4. Reward coming away from stool.
5. Increase enrichment and exercise.
6. Keep litter boxes out of reach.
7. Feed regular meals in a calm environment.
8. Treat trainable triggers, such as stress.

Food additives

Some products claim to make stool taste bad. Evidence for their effectiveness is limited. Talk to your vet before using supplements or additives.

Puppies

Many puppies outgrow it with good management. Use gentle training and avoid scolding after the fact.

What not to do

• Do not punish after the fact.
• Do not rub the dog's nose in stool.
• Do not rely on gadgets alone.

When to seek help

If your dog suddenly begins eating stool, shows weight loss, has diarrhea or other symptoms, see your vet. If the behavior is compulsive, a behaviorist may help. See when to see a dog behaviorist.

Common mistakes

• Reacting dramatically, which can add attention.
• Ignoring parasites.
• Leaving stool in the yard.
• Expecting a quick fix.

Troubleshooting

• My dog eats cat poop: raise the litter box or use a covered, dog-proof model.
• My dog eats his own poop after meals: discuss diet and feeding schedule with your vet.
• My dog eats poop on walks: use a leash, recall training and treats.

A simple plan

1. Visit your vet.
2. Clean the yard daily.
3. Add leave it and recall training.
4. Provide enrichment.
5. Reassess in two weeks.

Real-life examples

A puppy tastes his own stool and loses interest after cleaning improves. An adult dog eats cat droppings, and a high litter box fixes it. A stressed rescue eats stool when alone and improves with routine and enrichment. Different causes need different solutions.

Eating poop and multi-dog homes

In homes with several dogs, one dog may eat the stool of others. Pick up promptly, feed dogs separately if competition seems involved and make sure each dog is checked by a vet. A parasite problem in one can affect all of them, so a household approach is wise.

Training an emergency cue

Teach a reliable recall and "leave it" using high-value treats, and practice often at home first. Reward every time your dog turns away from stool. This habit protects your dog from many risky finds, not only poop.

The takeaway

Poop eating is common and manageable. Prevent access, check with your vet and be patient.