Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? Causes and How to Stop It

Coprophagia — the technical term for eating feces — is one of the most disgusting behaviors dogs exhibit, and one of the most common questions veterinarians and dog trainers receive. If you've caught your dog eating their own poop, another dog's poop, or even cat feces from the litter box, you're far from alone. Studies suggest that approximately 16% of dogs eat feces frequently (more than 6 times), and 24% have been observed doing it at least once. Understanding why dogs do this is the first step to stopping it.

Why Dogs Eat Poop: The Scientific Explanations

A 2012 study by Dr. Benjamin Hart at UC Davis surveyed over 3,000 dog owners and found several interesting patterns: dogs that ate feces preferred fresh feces (less than 2 days old), the behavior was more common in multi-dog households, and greedy eaters were more likely to be coprophagic. The study concluded that coprophagia may be an ancestral behavior — wolves and wild dogs consume feces to keep their den area clean and to prevent the buildup of intestinal parasites.

Common Causes of Coprophagia

Cause	Description	Solution
Ancestral instinct	Den-cleaning behavior from wild ancestors	Management + deterrents
Nutritional deficiency	Missing nutrients, especially B vitamins	Improve diet, add supplements
Enzyme deficiency	Insufficient digestive enzymes	Digestive enzyme supplement
Attention-seeking	Gets a reaction from owner	Ignore, clean up immediately
Anxiety/stress	Compulsive behavior from stress	Address underlying anxiety
Medical condition	Malabsorption, parasites, Cushing's disease	Veterinary evaluation
Learned behavior	Puppies learn from mother	Interrupt and redirect
Cat feces attraction	High protein content of cat food	Secure litter box access

Medical Causes to Rule Out First

Before assuming coprophagia is purely behavioral, rule out medical causes with your vet. Conditions that can drive feces eating include: intestinal parasites (which cause malabsorption), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI, where the pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes), Cushing's disease (which increases appetite dramatically), and thyroid conditions. Blood work and a fecal exam can identify these issues. If your dog has recently started eating feces after previously not doing so, a vet visit is especially important.

How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop

Management first: The most effective approach is to prevent access to feces. Pick up your dog's waste immediately after elimination. Secure the cat's litter box so the dog can't access it (use a covered litter box, place it in a room with a cat door, or use a litter box enclosure). In multi-dog households, supervise outdoor time and pick up immediately.

Training: Teach a reliable "leave it" command. When your dog approaches feces, say "leave it" and reward generously when they turn away. Practice this consistently. The "leave it" command is one of the most valuable safety commands a dog can learn.

Products That Help

• Coprophagia Deterrent Supplement — Supplements containing ingredients like monosodium glutamate, yucca, or chamomile can make feces taste unpleasant to dogs. Added to the dog's food, they make the feces unappealing. Works for some dogs but not all.
• Dog Digestive Enzyme Supplement — If enzyme deficiency is contributing to the behavior, digestive enzyme supplements can help the dog better absorb nutrients from their food, reducing the drive to seek them from feces.
• Covered Cat Litter Box — A covered litter box prevents most dogs from accessing cat feces. For determined dogs, a litter box enclosure with a cat-sized entrance is more effective.
• Dog Training Treats — High-value treats are essential for teaching the "leave it" command reliably in the presence of highly motivating items like feces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Always consult your veterinarian for personalized advice. If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. This article is for informational purposes only.

Practical Tips for Every Pet Owner

Regardless of the specific topic covered in this guide, there are universal principles that apply to all pet ownership. The most fundamental is observation: the more closely you observe your pet's normal behavior, the more quickly you'll notice when something is wrong. Changes in appetite, energy level, elimination habits, and social behavior are often the first signs of illness or stress.

Establishing routines benefits both pets and owners. Regular feeding times, exercise schedules, and grooming routines create predictability that reduces stress for most pets. Dogs and cats are particularly sensitive to routine disruptions — changes in schedule can trigger anxiety and behavioral problems even when the underlying cause isn't obvious.

The Importance of Preventive Care

Preventive veterinary care is significantly more cost-effective than treating illness after it develops. Annual wellness exams, appropriate vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental care prevent conditions that are expensive and difficult to treat once established. Many pet owners are surprised to learn that dental disease — one of the most common preventable conditions in pets — can lead to heart, kidney, and liver disease when left untreated.

Pet insurance is worth considering for any pet, but especially for breeds prone to specific health conditions. The cost of unexpected veterinary care can be substantial — a single emergency visit can cost $1,000–$5,000 or more. Pet insurance provides peace of mind and ensures that financial constraints don't force difficult decisions about your pet's care.

Microchipping and proper identification are essential safety measures that every pet owner should prioritize. A microchip significantly increases the chance of being reunited with a lost pet. Keep your contact information updated in the microchip registry — an outdated address or phone number defeats the purpose of the chip.