Most dogs that eat poop are not sick or starving. It usually comes from instinct, scavenging, boredom or a habit that grew out of puppyhood, though a vet should rule out medical causes first. To help stop the habit, clean up straight away, supervise yard time, teach boundaries and never punish your dog after the fact.
Few dog habits horrify owners more. You let your dog into the yard, glance away for a moment, and come back to a dog with a very guilty look and terrible breath – who suddenly wants to give you all the kisses! Yuck! If this sounds familiar, you are far from alone, and it is very fixable.
How common is it?
More common than most people think. A 2018 study from the University of California, Davis surveyed the owners of more than 1,500 dogs and found that about one dog in six ate stools frequently, meaning their owners had seen it at least six times. The researchers found no link to diet or age. The dogs most likely to do it were “greedy eaters”, and almost all of them went for fresh stools no more than two days old.
The vet term for eating poop is coprophagia. It looks disgusting to us, but to a dog it is normal animal behaviour that simply needs managing.
Why dogs eat poop
1. Instinct. Mother dogs clean up after their puppies for the first few weeks, and the UC Davis team suggests a wider instinct inherited from wolves: removing fresh droppings kept the den clean before parasite eggs in them could become infectious. That would explain why dogs prefer fresh stools.
2. Scavenging. Dogs evolved as scavengers, and to a dog’s nose, poop still smells of food, especially poop from cats, geese or a dog on a rich diet. The cat litter box and the goose droppings along the waterfront are two of the most common targets we hear about.
3. Puppy exploration. Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Many grow out of poop eating, but if nobody interrupts it, the habit can stick into adulthood.
4. Boredom and too much time alone. A dog that spends long hours alone in a yard or a crate with nothing to do will find its own entertainment. Poop is always available.
5. Attention. If eating poop gets a big reaction, with shouting, chasing and everyone running into the yard, some dogs learn that it is a reliable way to make things exciting.
6. Fear of punishment during toilet training. Dogs punished for accidents in the house sometimes learn that poop itself means trouble. Eating the evidence makes the problem disappear before anyone sees it. This is one of the strongest reasons never to punish toilet training mistakes.
7. Medical causes. Less often, a health problem drives it. Intestinal parasites, poor absorption of nutrients, some digestive and pancreatic conditions, certain medications and an underfed diet can all increase appetite for strange things. A sudden start in an adult dog, weight loss, diarrhea or a change in appetite all mean a vet visit comes first.
Is it harmful?
Usually not in the short term, but any poop eating does carry risks. Feces from other dogs, cats and wildlife can pass on intestinal parasites such as roundworm, hookworm and giardia, along with bacteria. Stools from an animal on a deworming product or other medication can also upset your dog’s stomach. Ask your vet whether your dog needs more frequent fecal checks, and keep up with regular deworming.
The bigger issue for most families is hygiene. A dog that eats poop and then licks faces is not a pleasant combination, especially with young children in the house.
How to stop your dog eating poop
Check with your vet first. Rule out parasites and digestive/ nutritional problems. Confirm that your dog gets enough food for their size and activity level. If a medical issue exists, training alone will not fix it.
Clean up straight away. The simplest fix is no opportunity. Walk the yard daily, pick up right after your dog goes, and keep a scoop by the back door so it takes ten seconds. Typically – the fresher the stool, the more tempting it is, so speed matters.
Supervise yard time. Go out with your dog for toilet breaks instead of opening the door and walking away. You can interrupt the moment your dog sniffs toward the spot, and you can praise the toilet itself.
Move the litter box. If the issue is with the cat – tut the cat’s box somewhere your cat can reach and your dog cannot, such as behind a baby gate or on a raised surface.
Stay calm. Shouting and chasing can turn poop eating into a game or make your dog gulp it down faster. Calmly interrupt, call your dog away and move on.
Never punish after the fact. Your dog cannot connect a scolding with something that happened even a minute earlier. Punishment only teaches your dog to be sneakier, or to eat the evidence.
Give your dog more to do. Exercise, chew toys and simple games use up the energy and curiosity that often drive scavenging. A tired, occupied dog spends less time patrolling the yard for snacks.
Do not rely on additives alone. Pet stores sell plenty of products that claim to make stools taste bad, but in the UC Davis survey owners reported almost no success with them. Management and training work far better.
Poop is not the only thing dogs eat that puzzles their owners. See our post on why dogs eat grass, and if your yard brings out other bad habits, our guide to stopping digging humanely may help too. For puppies, the complete guide to puppy toilet training explains how to toilet train without punishment.
When to call a trainer
If you have ruled out medical causes, cleaned up the yard and your dog still hunts for poop at every chance, a trainer can help you find what drives it in your home and build a plan the whole family can follow. Bark Busters trainers come to you, watch what happens in your own yard and teach you how to communicate with your dog, so they understand what you want, and what you don’t want!
Every program includes our Life Of Dog Support Guarantee. Use find a trainer to reach your local Bark Busters trainer.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dog eat poop?
Most often it comes from instinct, scavenging, boredom, attention seeking or a habit left over from puppyhood. Some dogs learn it after punishment during toilet training. Less often, parasites, digestive problems or not enough food play a part, so check with your vet.
Will my dog grow out of eating poop?
Many puppies do, especially if you clean up quickly and interrupt the behaviour. Adult dogs rarely stop without changes to management and training.
Is it dangerous if a dog eats poop?
It can pass on intestinal parasites and bacteria, particularly from other dogs, cats and wildlife. Regular vet checks and deworming lower the risk.
Does pineapple or a food additive stop dogs eating poop?
There is little evidence that they do. Owners in the 2018 UC Davis survey reported almost no success with commercial products. Diet changes can often help, but speak with your vet about what is appropriate for your dog.
Study details from Hart B.L. et al., “The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy”, Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2018. This post gives general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about any change in your dog’s eating habits or health.
Free guide: Want a yard that keeps your dog safe and out of trouble? Download our How to Create a Dog-Friendly Backyard guide (PDF) for practical ideas to make your yard safer and more interesting for your dog. You can find more handouts on our Free Dog Training Resources page.
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