Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

Why do dogs eat their own poop?

The leading theory from veterinary behaviorists is that this goes way back to wolves. Mother wolves eat their puppies' feces to keep the den clean and free of parasites. That instinct didn't disappear just because your dog sleeps on a memory foam bed now. A large-scale study from the University of California, Davis surveyed over 1,500 dog owners and found that about 16% of dogs are "serious" poop eaters, meaning they've been caught doing it at least five times. Another 24% had done it at least once. The study also found that 85% of poop-eating dogs prefer fresh stool, which supports the parasite-prevention theory since parasites become more infectious over time.

Why does my dog eat other dogs' poop?

This is actually more common than dogs eating their own. The UC Davis study found that coprophagia is significantly more common in multi-dog households; about 33% of dogs in homes with three or more dogs did it, compared to around 20% in single-dog homes. Dogs are scavengers by nature, and to them, another dog's poop is just another potential food source. Cats' poop is especially attractive to dogs because cat food is protein-rich, which makes their stool smell appealing (to dogs, at least). If you have a cat, keeping the litter box out of your dog's reach is one of the most effective things you can do.

Could it be a medical issue?

In some cases, yes. If a dog suddenly starts eating poop when they never have before, it could signal a nutrient absorption problem, enzyme deficiency, or a condition like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Dogs on certain medications (like steroids) can also develop an increased appetite that leads to scavenging behavior. If the poop eating came out of nowhere and your dog is also losing weight, having diarrhea, or seems unusually hungry, it's worth a vet visit to rule out something medical.

What actually works to stop it?

Here's the frustrating part: most of the products marketed for coprophagia don't work. The UC Davis study tested 11 commercially available products and found success rates between 0% and 2%. Behavior modification techniques like "leave it" training scored only slightly better at around 4%. The single most effective strategy is boring but reliable: pick up the poop immediately. If there's nothing to eat, the behavior can't happen. Combine that with making sure your dog is on a solid, balanced diet, getting enough exercise, and isn't bored out of their mind, and most dogs will either stop or significantly reduce the behavior over time.