Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? (And How to Finally Get Them to Stop)

Does your dog have a stomach of steel and a taste for…well, poop? As gross as it sounds (and smells), dogs eating their own feces—or even that of other animals—is surprisingly common. If you’ve ever caught your pup snacking on something straight out of the litter box, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve been there, too—one of my dogs used to think our cat’s poop was a gourmet treat. So why do they do it? Is it harmful? And most importantly, how do you get them to stop? Let’s dig in (not literally, thankfully).

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

When a dog consumes its own stool—or the droppings of another animal—it’s called coprophagia. And yes, while it’s absolutely cringe-worthy for us humans, it’s not all that unusual in the canine world. Dogs may eat poop for a variety of reasons, ranging from innocent curiosity to underlying medical issues. Let’s break down the most common explanations.

Curiosity (Especially in Puppies)

If you’ve ever raised a puppy, you know they explore the world with their mouths. Just like human babies, puppies are naturally curious and tend to chew—or swallow—just about anything. That includes poop. It’s often a short-lived behavior that fades as they grow and learn what’s acceptable to eat (and what’s definitely not).

Fear or Anxiety

Some dogs may eat their own stool as a way to “hide the evidence.” This is especially true if they’ve been punished for potty accidents in the past. A dog who defecates indoors and fears reprimand might consume their waste in an attempt to avoid your anger. In multi-dog households, submissive dogs may also eat the feces of a more dominant dog as a way to avoid conflict.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Malnourishment or an unbalanced diet can also lead to coprophagia. Dogs instinctively try to make up for missing nutrients—and sometimes that leads them to their poop (or another animal’s). Feces can contain undigested food particles, which might seem like a second chance at a meal for a nutrient-starved pup. Dogs with intestinal parasites are especially at risk, as the parasites rob them of key vitamins and minerals.

Confinement and Boredom

Dogs who are confined for long periods—whether in a crate, kennel, or on a chain—are more likely to engage in poop-eating behaviors. It’s often a combination of boredom, stress, and the lack of other forms of stimulation. For these pups, eating feces might be one of the few activities available to them.

Learned Behavior from Their Mother

Mother dogs instinctively clean up after their puppies to keep the den area sanitary and odor-free. This includes licking and consuming their pups’ waste—gross to us, but totally natural in the wild. Sometimes, puppies mimic this behavior after observing their mom do it. While most outgrow it, a few pups carry the habit into adulthood.

Scent Masking Instinct

In the wild, canines often cover their tracks to avoid detection by predators or rival packs. Some experts believe that domestic dogs may retain this instinct and eat feces to eliminate the scent. It’s especially common in more submissive or nervous dogs who may feel the need to “cover their trail.”

Attention-Seeking Behavior

Let’s be honest—when your dog eats poop, you probably react. Whether it’s yelling, gasping, or frantically trying to stop them, you’re giving them a whole lot of attention. Dogs quickly learn that this behavior gets a reaction, and if they’re feeling ignored or under-stimulated, they might do it just to get you to engage with them—even if it’s negative attention.

Cognitive Decline in Older Dogs

Senior dogs experiencing cognitive dysfunction (similar to dementia in humans) may develop unusual habits, including coprophagia. Confusion, disorientation, and changes in learned behavior patterns can cause older dogs to start eating feces, even if they never did it before.

Poor Digestion or Fast Eating

Dogs who scarf down their food without properly chewing it may pass partially digested food in their stool. If the feces still smells like food to them, it can become an appealing snack. Likewise, digestive enzyme deficiencies may lead to stool that’s richer in nutrients than it should be, attracting your dog’s attention.

Is It Harmful If My Dog Eats Poop?

Coprophagia might be revolting to us, but in many cases, it’s not immediately dangerous—especially if your dog is eating their own poop. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common and natural behavior in dogs, and most of the time, it won’t lead to serious health issues.

But here’s the catch: if your dog is eating feces from other animals, things get a lot riskier. Animal waste can carry a whole host of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that your dog definitely shouldn’t ingest. Even if the other animal looks healthy, their stool could be contaminated with harmful pathogens.

Here are a few diseases and parasites your dog could contract from eating another animal’s poop:

• Intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms

• Giardiasis – a parasite that causes diarrhea and weight loss

• Coccidia – another parasite, particularly dangerous for puppies and senior dogs

• Parvovirus – highly contagious and potentially deadly

• Salmonella and E. coli – common bacteria that can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues

• Canine coronavirus – not the same as COVID-19, but still causes tummy trouble

If your dog has gotten into someone else’s poop (dog, cat, or wildlife), keep an eye out for symptoms like:

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite

• Signs of abdominal pain

• General stomach upset

If you notice any of these symptoms, or if your dog is repeatedly eating feces, it’s worth calling your vet—especially if they’re snacking on unknown or wild animal waste. Even if the behavior seems harmless, your vet can rule out underlying medical issues and help you decide on the best course of action.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Poop!

So now that we know it’s sometimes harmless and sometimes dangerous…should you stop your dog from doing it?

Yes—absolutely. Even if your dog isn’t getting sick from it right now, poop-eating isn’t exactly a habit you want sticking around. Not only is it unsanitary (hello, doggy kisses), but there’s always the risk they’ll eventually ingest something harmful. Plus, let’s be honest—nobody wants their dog turning the litter box into a buffet.

Here’s how to help put a stop to the behavior:

Rule Out Medical Issues First

Before jumping to behavior training, I highly recommend that you take your dog to the veterinarian in order to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Nutrient deficiencies, enzyme imbalances, diabetes, thyroid issues, or intestinal parasites can all drive dogs to eat poop. A trip to the vet and a routine checkup can help rule these out or get them properly treated.

Improve Your Dog’s Diet

If your dog isn’t getting enough nutrients, they may try to make up for it in, well, disgusting ways. A high-quality, balanced diet can help reduce the urge. Talk to your vet about your dog’s current food and whether a dietary upgrade might help.

Some owners also find success adding digestive enzyme supplements or vitamin B to meals (especially B12), as some dogs lack the enzymes needed to fully digest their food.

You may also like: Best Dog Food Delivery Services

Clean It Up Immediately

One of the most effective ways to stop the behavior? Remove the temptation. Scoop poop from your yard or litter box as soon as possible. If you live with multiple dogs, be vigilant about cleaning up after each of them, not just your own.

If your dog has access to a cat’s litter box, consider moving it to an area your dog can’t reach—or get a covered, dog-proof litter box.

Use Taste Deterrents (With Caution)

Some pet parents swear by anti-coprophagia supplements that make stool taste (even more) unpleasant. These usually contain ingredients like yucca or MSG, which are safe in small quantities and can discourage poop-eating when used consistently.

That said, these are hit or miss—and they only work on your dog’s poop, not others’. They’re also not a standalone fix but might help when paired with training and clean-up efforts.

Reinforce Good Behavior

If your dog is eating poop to get attention, the key is to stop reacting dramatically. Instead, practice positive reinforcement. Praise and reward your dog for ignoring poop during walks or in the yard. Use commands like “leave it” or “drop it” consistently, and reward them with treats when they obey.

You can also redirect their focus with a toy or treat if they start sniffing around where they shouldn’t.

Beat Boredom

A bored dog is an unhappy dog! Mentally challenge your dog in order to combat boredom. This means you should do the following:

• Create a set schedule and routine for your pooch, as dogs are creatures of habit.
• Mentally stimulate your dog by exercising them daily
• Teach your dog some new tricks to keep him from getting too bored
• Provide challenging and fun toys
• Take him to the dog park

Now, if your dog eats poop to get your attention then you should simply correct this issue by saying “NO”. Sometimes, attention seeking and boredom can go hand-in-hand—A bored dog will either seek attention, or a bored dog will consume poop because he simply bored.

Manage Stress and Anxiety

If your dog is eating poop due to anxiety, work on the underlying cause. This might mean reducing stressful punishments, making their environment feel safer, or using calming tools like pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps. In some cases, your vet might even recommend anti-anxiety meds or working with a behaviorist.

Coprophagia As A Result of Submission

This is a tricky one to solve as it’s part of their evolutionary behavior to consume the stool of dominant pack members. The only real solution you could potentially try is:

• You can try boosting your dog’s confidence through an agility course, exercise, and trick training.
• You should work on training both dogs in the household. So that you remain as pack-leader!
• You could try using deterrents to keep your dog off stool! ( I will discuss this more in depth below)

The Conclusion…

As much as we wish we could chalk this up to just one of those “weird dog things,” poop-eating can sometimes point to a deeper issue—whether it’s medical, emotional, or behavioral. The good news? With a little detective work, consistency, and some solid clean-up routines, most dogs can kick the habit.

FAQs about Dogs Eating Poop

So, do you still have questions on why dogs eat poop? Got some hot tips for other pet owners? Share below!