Dog Eating Poop: How to Prevent This Behavior

It’s not uncommon for dog owners to feel a mix of confusion and disgust when they catch their dog eating poop. While this behavior might seem strange or even alarming, it’s important to understand why dogs engage in this act and how to address it. Known as coprophagia, this habit can stem from various reasons, including behavioral patterns, dietary influences, or even health concerns. Whether your dog is eating its own stool or that of another animal, it’s essential to identify the cause and take appropriate steps to manage or prevent this behavior. If you’re concerned about your dog’s health, call LePar Animal Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL, at (708) 423-3200 or book an appointment online.

Why Is Your Dog Eating Feces?

Some dogs eat poop, or feces, as a natural or compulsive behavior, while others may do so out of desperation or habit. Other times, it may be in response to punishment or an attraction to animal feces. Knowing the cause is the first step to addressing the issue.

Natural Behavior or Desperation?

Eating the feces of another animal can be either a normal behavior or one of desperation. Dogs that have been starved will eat the feces of others. Puppies in pet stores or puppy mills/farms that may not have been fed enough are conditioned to eat feces out of desperation. This is typically due to inadequate amounts of available food.

Behavioral Responses to Punishment

Dogs who are inappropriately punished for elimination may become incredibly fastidious to avoid the pain and anxiety they might associate with eliminating. In extreme cases, some dogs have been observed ingesting their own urine as soon as they have eliminated. These behaviors may have been reinforced prior to an owner adopting said pet.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Dogs

Some dogs eat feces as a symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), often triggered by stress, anxiety, or a lack of mental stimulation. This compulsive behavior can become a deeply ingrained habit, requiring specialized care. Treatment typically involves behavioral modification, environmental enrichment, and sometimes medication. Consulting a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist is essential for developing strategies to manage OCD and improve your dog’s quality of life.

Attraction to Animal Feces

Many dogs enjoy eating the feces of other animals. For example, they may enjoy cat feces due to their high protein diet and the animal muscle that is not fully digested. Dogs often eat rabbit feces. Rabbits and other herbivores have bacteria and some researchers have suggested that this bacteria form a source of protein. Additionally, ingestion of herbivore feces can be an effective way to get partially digested herbs and grains, such as oats.

Ways to Help Prevent This Behavior

Ingestion of feces is a challenging behavior to change because it is normal. There are a few key ideas to controlling the eating of feces: prevent the behavior from ever starting, monitor the environment so that you can spot the feces before your dog, or train your dog to redirect their attention.

Prevent Access to Feces

If your dog eats dog feces, the solution can be easy: clean up all the dog feces found, including feces deposited by other dogs. When wild life is involved, cleanup is more difficult. The best solution to avoid the consumption of feces is avoidance, which is not always easy. This may mean supervising your dog in the yard until you are certain the pet has eliminated and there are no feces in the environment.

Training Positive Behaviors

Using positive reinforcement to train a “Leave It” command and a good recall will allow you to call your dog to you when you see that he or she is about to gulp down feces. These commands need to be trained initially in a controlled environment before expecting them to work when temptation is great. Use a really high value food reward and a lot of praise to teach your pet that coming to you is the best thing in the world. These foundational behaviors will be useful in many situations beside feces eating and will give you a better quality relationship with your pet. Not sure how to get started? Here are some great, short videos to show you what to do: Training Your Dog to Leave It or Training Your Dog to Come When Called.

Consulting Your Veterinarian

If your dog’s poop-eating habit persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to involve your veterinarian. In some cases, coprophagia can be linked to underlying health issues such as nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal disorders, or even behavioral conditions. A professional evaluation can help identify these potential causes and guide the best course of action. If you’re noticing this habit becoming a consistent issue, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian at LePar Animal Hospital so we can help address this problem. Call us at (708) 423-3200.

Health Risks to Dogs Eating Poop

Any dog who ingests feces, whether their own or from another animal, should have fecal samples checked every six months. Using year-round heartworm prevention to help prevent parasite infection is also recommended. A word of caution as well: several intestinal parasites can be contagious to people. Always be sure to wash hands any time after handling feces.

Taking Steps to Address Poop-Eating Behavior

Managing a dog eating poop can feel overwhelming, but understanding the reasons behind this behavior and implementing consistent strategies can make a difference. By addressing potential health issues, modifying the environment, and reinforcing positive behaviors, you can help your dog break this habit. Regular veterinary check-ups, a healthy diet, and proper training are key to ensuring your dog stays healthy and happy. With patience and the right approach, you can tackle this challenge and strengthen the bond with your canine companion.