Jim Gillies CAB, CDBC is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist based in Glasgow with over a decade of experience across a wide range of canine behaviour issues. He is an APBC Full Member, ABTC Registered, and IAABC Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant — and works across clinical consultations, veterinary collaboration, and expert witness instruction. His practice is welfare-led and evidence-based throughout. Jim runs CBT Dog Behaviour & Training and shares behaviour insights through his blog and podcast.
- Key Takeaways
- Understanding Coprophagia in Dogs
- Why Dogs Eat Poop
- Medical Reasons Dogs Eat Poop
- Behavioural Reasons Dogs Eat Poop
- Anxiety, Fear, and Stress
- Preventive Measures to Discourage Coprophagia
- Practical Solutions to Stop Coprophagia
- When to Consult a Veterinarian
- Exploring Food Intolerance Tests for Dogs
- Conclusion
- About me
- FAQs
Does your dog eat poop? You're not alone. Coprophagia, or dogs eating feces, is a common issue many pet owners face. This article will show you how to stop your dog from eating poop (coprophagia) with practical and effective strategies.
Keep reading to learn more!
Key Takeaways
- Balanced Diet and Nutrition: Provide a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Adding probiotics or multivitamins can help improve digestion.
- Environmental Management: Clean up faeces immediately to reduce access. Use barriers or supervise your dog during outdoor time.
- Training Techniques: Teach cues like "Leave it" using positive reinforcement. This helps prevent undesirable behaviours such as eating poop.
- Health Monitoring: Consult a vet if coprophagia persists, as it might indicate health issues like diabetes or nutrient deficiencies.
If you find this article interesting, you might want to check out our blog and podcast section. You might like this article on why do dogs eat poop and why dogs roll in fox poo.
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Understanding Coprophagia in Dogs
Dogs sometimes eat poop, a behaviour called coprophagia. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as instinctive behavior, dietary issues, stress, or boredom. For a more detailed look at why dogs engage in coprophagia, visit our comprehensive guide: Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?.
By understanding these root causes, you can take targeted action to address and eliminate this behaviour more effectively.
Why Dogs Eat Poop
Dogs often eat poop due to nutritional deficiencies. They might lack essential nutrients or enzymes, causing them to seek other sources. For example, a dog missing vitamin B1 may turn to eating faeces to fill this gap.
Some dogs also suffer from malabsorption issues which prevent proper digestion of food.
Another common reason involves health problems like diabetes or intestinal parasites. These conditions can trigger unusual eating habits in dogs as they attempt to soothe their gastrointestinal discomfort.
Puppies and young dogs may simply be curious and explore different tastes, while adult dogs could be mimicking behaviour learned from their mothers during housetraining.
Common Triggers for Coprophagia
Puppies often eat their own faeces because of instinctual behaviour. They mimic their mum, who keeps the den clean by consuming poop. This habit can also be a form of exploration as youngsters discover their surroundings.
Anxiety and stress serve as common triggers for coprophagia in adult dogs too. Dogs with separation anxiety might eat stools to soothe themselves when alone.
Nutritional deficiencies play a significant role in why some dogs consume faecal matter. A lack of certain nutrients like thiamine or vitamin B-complex may push them to search for what is missing from their diet elsewhere.
Underfeeding can lead to similar behaviours since they might feel constantly hungry and scavenging provides temporary relief.
Medical Reasons Dogs Eat Poop
Dogs sometimes eat poop due to underlying health issues. Conditions like malabsorption of nutrients can drive this behaviour.
Nutritional Deficiencies
A poor diet can lead to your dog eating poop. Lack of essential nutrients often causes this behaviour. Deficiency in enzymes means dogs don't properly digest food, leading them to seek out faecal matter for missing vitamins and minerals.
Feeding a well-balanced diet helps address these gaps.
Adding probiotics or multivitamins may stop your dog from eating its own poop. Try foods rich in fibre and B-vitamins to improve digestion and health. Monitoring their diet closely may reduce the need for such undesirable habits.
Underlying Health Issues
Dogs that eat poop may suffer from health problems. For example, diabetes can change a dog's appetite and behaviour. Parasites like hookworms and whipworms can irritate the intestines and make dogs eat poop.
Some health issues create deficiencies in essential nutrients. Vitamin B deficiency or disorders in the pancreas affect digestion, forcing dogs to seek nutrients elsewhere. Checking for these conditions helps prevent your dog from eating poop naturally.
Always consult a vet if you notice unusual behaviour or suspect underlying health issues.
Behavioural Reasons Dogs Eat Poop
Dogs might eat poop due to stress or anxiety. Sometimes, they do it out of boredom or to get attention from their owners.
Anxiety, Fear, and Stress
Anxiety in dogs often leads to coprophagia. Stress might cause your dog to eat poop as a coping mechanism. Loud noises, changes at home, or separation anxiety can be triggers. Fear of punishment for accidents inside is also a factor.
Boredom and Attention Seeking
Dogs may eat their own faeces to gain attention from their owners. This often occurs if they feel neglected or bored. Lack of mental stimulation can lead them to find activities that seem rewarding, even if those activities are undesirable.
To prevent this behaviour, keep your dog mentally engaged and provide plenty of physical exercise. Activities such as puzzle toys, training sessions, and regular walks can help reduce boredom.
Praise your dog when it engages in positive behaviours instead of eating excrement.
Preventive Measures to Discourage Coprophagia
Improve your dog's diet to ensure they get all necessary nutrients. Keep their environment clean and free from faeces to reduce temptation.
Improving Diet and Nutrition
Provide a balanced, nutritious diet to help your dog. Ensure food contains essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Feed good-quality dog food with high protein and fibre content.
Add fresh vegetables to meals for extra nutrition.
Sometimes, dogs eat poop due to nutritional deficiencies. Address vitamin-b deficiency by adding supplements as needed. Always consult with a vet before making changes to the dog's diet.
This can prevent unhealthy behaviours like eating fecal matter.
Managing the Environment
Supervise the dog during outdoor time to prevent it from eating poop. Keep a close eye on your pet, especially in areas where other animals defecate. Clean up promptly after the dog to remove any temptation.
Use barriers or fences to limit access to places where dogs might find feces. Consider using a leash while walking your dog in public spaces. This helps control every bowel movement and stop dogs from eating poop naturally.
Practical Solutions to Stop Coprophagia
Clean up your yard right away after your dog defecates. This limits their access to poop.
Add deterrents, such as certain supplements, to your dog's diet that make the taste of feces unappealing.
Immediate Cleanup of Feces
Pick up your dog's poop right after they defecate. This leaves less time for the dog to eat it. Immediate cleanup can prevent bad habits from forming.
Minimise access to faeces in areas where your dog roams. Use a leash during walks to control their movements better. Keep gardens and yards clean by checking frequently and disposing of any droppings promptly.
Training Cues like "Leave it"
Switching your dog's diet can help. But you also need to teach commands like "Leave it." Start with a treat in one hand. Let your dog sniff but not eat it. Say, "Leave it," and close your hand.
After the first step, wait for your dog to back off or look away. Then give a different treat from your other hand as a reward. Repeat this until they understand the command. Use positive reinforcement each time they follow through correctly.
When to Consult a Veterinarian
Sometimes, the cause of poop eating is medical. Consult a vet if your dog shows signs of illness or persistent coprophagia.
Persistent Coprophagia
Persistent coprophagia requires urgent attention. A consistent issue often indicates underlying health problems. Poor diet and diseases like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can drive this behaviour in dogs.
Consulting a veterinarian helps rule out medical causes such as nutritional deficiencies or gastrointestinal disease.
If no health issues exist, behavioural solutions become vital. Training commands like "Leave it" prove effective alongside immediate clean-up of dog faeces to prevent the behaviour.
Using safe supplements can deter dogs from eating poop naturally without causing harm. Spotting signs of anxiety or stress leads to tailored advice for your dog's specific needs next time you visit the vet.
Exploring Food Intolerance Tests for Dogs
For example, if a dog eats poop (coprophagia), it might have an underlying sensitivity.
Prescription Diet and Science Diet offer specialised food based on these test results. Early detection helps in adjusting diets suitably for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors. Tests simplify finding the best way to stop dogs from eating poop naturally by adjusting their nutrition.
Persistent coprophagia in dogs often points to gastrointestinal upset. To rule out food intolerances or deficiencies, consider an EasyDNA Intolerance Test. This simple test can help identify dietary issues that may be contributing to your dog's behavior. Learn more about the test here: EasyDNA Intolerance Test.
Conclusion
Stopping your dog from eating poop requires patience and consistency. Ensure your dog's diet is balanced and nutritious. Keep their environment clean and engaging. Train them with cues like "Leave it." Consult a vet for persistent issues or health concerns.
Your efforts will pay off with a healthier, happier pet!
Check Out Our Recommended Partner
Learn More About EasyDNA Dog Intolerance Test
About me
Jim Gillies, a Certified Dog Behaviourist and Trainer in Glasgow with over 10 years of experience, prioritises canine well-being through modern, science-backed methods. Handling 4000+ cases of 1-to-1 behaviour training, Jim is fully accredited, insured, and recognised for addressing various behavioural issues including aggression, separation anxiety, and more. Explore his insightful blog and podcast, sharing expert knowledge on dog training and behaviour. Certified by the IAABC, Jim’s expertise makes him a reliable choice for addressing your dog’s needs.
Contact information
Should you have any questions about this article, feel free to contact me on:
- Email: jim@cbtdogbehaviour.com
- Mobile: 07864029933
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some of the links in this blog are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the work I do in providing valuable content on dog behaviour and training. Rest assured, I only recommend products and services that I believe are helpful and relevant to your dog's well-being. Your support is appreciated!
FAQs
1. How can I stop my dog from eating poop?
To stop your dog from eating poop, try training methods like clicker training or using safe supplements. Increase mental stimulation and keep the yard clean to prevent access to faeces.
2. Why does my dog eat its own poop and how can I stop it?
Dogs may eat their own poop due to boredom, stress, or nutritional deficiencies. Provide a balanced diet with enough fibre and consider vitamin supplements. Regular veterinary care is also important.
3. What are some effective ways to prevent dogs from eating other dogs' poop on walks?
Keep your dog on a lead during walks and use commands for distraction. Training sessions focusing on obedience can help as well.
4. Can changing my dog's diet help stop them from eating poop?
Yes, sometimes adjusting the diet can help prevent coprophagia (eating poo). A high-fibre diet or feeding raw food might reduce this behaviour.
5. Are there natural methods to stop a puppy from eating faeces in the yard?
Natural methods include providing chew toys for distraction and ensuring regular bowel movements through proper feeding schedules.
6. How do I train my puppy not to eat cat dung from the litterbox?
Place the litterbox out of reach of your puppy and train them using positive reinforcement techniques such as treats when they avoid it.
