Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? How Can This Behavior Be Stopped?

While the behavior may appear gross, poop eating is actually a natural dog behavior.

Why Dogs Eat Poop

According to a 2018 study, 23% of dogs ate poop at least once, while 16% were consistent poop eaters who consumed poop at least six times throughout the study. This study covered 1,400 dog owners.

The poop-eating behavior of dogs is a condition known as coprophagia. It is a natural behavior for these canines. Poop eating is not a way for them to seek attention, nor does it result from any nutritional deficiencies. Rather, vets believe that the condition in dogs stems from their evolutionary link to wolves.

Mother wolves consume the poop of their puppies to prevent them from getting exposed to intestinal parasites. They eat these feces during the first three years of their pups' lives, as noted by Dr. Nicholas Dodma, the president of the Canine Behavior Studies and a professor emeritus at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. For fresh feces, the eggs of different parasites have not yet been infected. However, if they are left alone, the parasites can grow and infect the pups if they get ingested.

The American Kennel Club also notes that, in certain cases, the behavior could start due to some environmental stressors or other behavioral triggers. These may include isolation, anxiety, restrictive confinement, attention-seeking, scenting it on their mothers, an inappropriate link with actual food, or living with an elderly or sick dog.

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Stopping Poop Eating Behavior

The poop-eating behavior of dogs can be repulsive to some, so how exactly can this behavior be stopped?

The internet offers several home remedies to stop the conditions. These include adding pineapples or breath mints to dog food. However, there is no evidence that such remedies work for most dogs.

Nevertheless, dog owners and veterinarians have seen dog behavior improvements with certain strategies. These include enzyme supplementation, vitamin supplementation, and taste-aversion products.

The behavior can also be managed through training and methods of managing the environment. These include having proper equipment for dog feeding, training, and walking; keeping the living area of the dog clean; supervising walks and immediately picking up their poop; and training the canine.

Dr. Dodman has also looked into diet changes that could change the consistency of dog feces and stop the condition. Certain brands, such as Purina OM and Hills RD, contain around 14% to 16% of fiber (based on their websites). Such levels are significantly higher compared to commercial dog kibble. This could make the dog's stool more cardboard-like.

Melissa Bain, a veterinary behaviorist from the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine and a co-author of the study from 2018, also explains that cleaning the feces up could work, as this would give the dog no time to munch on the poop. Some owners can also try adding cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce to the poop to prevent the canine from eating it.