One of the more perplexing and often unpleasant behaviours that dogs can exhibit is coprophagia, which is the term for eating faeces — their own or sometimes that of other animals. While it can be a puzzling and unsettling habit for dog owners, it’s not as uncommon as it might seem. In fact, it’s a behaviour that many dogs engage in for various reasons, some of which are rooted in natural instincts, while others may indicate an underlying health issue or behavioral concern. Let’s explore the most common reasons Why Do Dogs Eat Poop and how you can address this behaviour.
1. Instinctual Behaviour
For puppies and certain dog breeds, eating faeces can be an instinctual behaviour. This habit is often observed in wild canines like wolves and coyotes, who may consume faeces to clean up their den area, avoid attracting predators, or simply to consume nutrients that were not fully digested. In the case of domesticated dogs, this behavior may be inherited from their wild ancestors.
Motherly Instinct
Puppies, in particular, may engage in coprophagia when they are very young. In the wild, mother dogs clean up after their puppies by eating their faeces to keep the den clean and to avoid attracting predators. It’s possible that puppies are mimicking this behaviour as they mature, especially if they were weaned early or didn’t get enough maternal care.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies
One of the most common explanations for coprophagia in dogs is nutritional deficiency. Dogs may eat faeces as an attempt to compensate for missing or insufficient nutrients in their diet. This could be due to several factors:
Poor Quality Food
If your dog is eating a low-quality food that lacks essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, or proteins, they may turn to faeces as an alternative source of nutrients. Some faeces, especially from other animals, can contain undigested food particles, which the dog may instinctively recognize as something they can “reconsume.”
Enzyme Deficiency
Dogs with digestive issues or enzyme deficiencies may not be able to break down their food properly, leaving undigested nutrients in their faeces. If this occurs, dogs may eat faeces to try and extract these nutrients.
Poor Absorption of Nutrients
Health conditions like malabsorption disorders (e.g., exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or intestinal parasites) can prevent a dog from properly absorbing nutrients from their food. In these cases, eating faeces might be an attempt to reclaim what they couldn’t digest.
3. Boredom or Anxiety
Another reason why dogs may eat poop is due to boredom, stress, or anxiety. Dogs are intelligent and energetic creatures that require both physical and mental stimulation. Without sufficient exercise, attention, or enrichment, a dog may resort to undesirable behaviours like eating faeces to entertain themselves or relieve anxiety.
Lack of Exercise and Mental Stimulation
If your dog isn’t getting enough physical exercise or mental stimulation, they may turn to odd behaviours like eating faeces. This is especially true for young, energetic dogs who are left alone for long periods or not given enough outlets for their energy.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety may engage in coprophagia as a way to cope with stress. They may feel anxious when left alone and may resort to eating faeces or other compulsive behaviours to self-soothe.
4. Attention-Seeking Behaviour
Dogs are incredibly social animals and often do things to get attention, even if it’s negative attention. If a dog notices that eating poop causes a reaction from their owner (whether it’s scolding or being laughed at), they may continue the behaviour as a way to seek attention.
5. Medical Conditions
In some cases, eating faeces can be a sign of an underlying medical issue. If your dog has suddenly started eating faeces, it’s important to rule out medical conditions that could be contributing to this behaviour. Some health issues that could lead to coprophagia include:
Parasites
Intestinal parasites, like worms, can cause digestive issues and nutrient malabsorption in dogs, potentially leading to coprophagia. If your dog is eating faeces, especially if they are also experiencing weight loss, vomiting, or diarrhoea, they could have a parasitic infection.
Diabetes
Dogs with diabetes may experience increased hunger and may eat faeces in an attempt to compensate for metabolic imbalances.
Cushing’s Disease
This hormonal disorder, which leads to excessive cortisol production, can cause increased appetite and poor digestion, which could result in faeces consumption.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
EPI is a condition where the pancreas fails to produce the necessary enzymes for digestion, leading to undigested food in the stool. Dogs with this condition may eat faeces to recover some of the nutrients that were not digested in their system.
Pica
Pica is a behavioral condition in which dogs (or other animals) compulsively eat non-food items. Faeces may become a target for dogs with pica, a condition that can sometimes be related to anxiety or nutritional deficiencies.
6. How to Stop a Dog From Eating Poop
While coprophagia may be a natural behaviour for some dogs, it’s generally an unpleasant habit that most dog owners want to prevent. Here are a few tips on how to stop a dog from eating poop:
Proper Diet and Nutrition
Ensure that your dog is eating a balanced, high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs. If you suspect that a nutrient deficiency is contributing to coprophagia, consult with your vet about adjusting their food or adding supplements.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups
Schedule a visit with your vet to rule out any underlying health conditions. If your dog has a medical issue like parasites, diabetes, or EPI, prompt treatment can resolve the behaviour.
Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Boredom and lack of exercise can contribute to poop-eating behaviour. Ensure your dog gets plenty of physical activity, mental stimulation, and interactive playtime. Toys, puzzles, and regular walks can help alleviate boredom.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog to avoid eating faeces. Reward them with treats and praise for ignoring faeces and focusing on other activities. You can also train them to “leave it” when they approach faeces.
Clean Up Immediately
One of the most effective ways to stop your dog from eating poop is to keep their environment clean. Pick up your dog’s poop immediately after they go to the bathroom, so they don’t have the chance to eat it.
Use a Deterrent
There are commercial products available that can be added to your dog’s food, which makes their faeces taste unpleasant. These products are often marketed as coprophagia deterrents and may help deter your dog from eating their own or other animals’ poop.
Conclusion
While eating poop (coprophagia) is certainly a behaviour that many dog owners find perplexing or off-putting, it’s not usually a sign of a major behavioral problem. Often, it can be attributed to natural instincts, nutritional deficiencies, or health issues. However, if the behaviour becomes persistent or problematic, it’s important to investigate the root cause, whether that be medical, behavioral, or environmental, and take the necessary steps to address it. With the right approach, you can help your dog break the habit and enjoy a healthier, happier life.
