Dogs Who Eat Feces (Yuck!)

Coprophagy and coprophagia are interchangeable terms used to describe the consumption of feces (eating poop). Approximately 10-16 percent of dogs engage in this behavior at some point during their lives. Some ingest only their own feces while others sample whatever they can get hold of.

Photo by James Barker on Unsplash

Yes, this is an unsavory topic, but if your dog has this habit, I bet you want to understand it and figure out how to deal with it.

Why would dogs do such a thing?

The most innocuous and transient version of coprophagy occurs when mama dogs care for their puppies. It’s a normal part of the cleaning process.

Other causes include:

• Learned behavior from the mama or other dogs in the household.

• Exploratory behavior in puppies.

• Boredom/lack of stimulation or enrichment in the environment.

• Malnutrition caused by inadequate calories or an unbalanced diet.

• An underlying medical issue that increases appetite, such as hormonal imbalances (diabetes, Cushing’s disease) or gastrointestinal diseases that interfere with normal digestion or absorption of food.

• As a side effect of medications that stimulate appetite: phenoxybenzamines (Ativan, Valium), some anti-seizure medications, steroids (prednisone, cortisone).

• High-fat cat feces (Kitty Roca) is a delectable treat for many dogs.

Make it go away!

Unfortunately, there’s no magic wand that resolves coprophagy. The first step in getting a handle on coprophagy is visiting your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues. If your dog receives a clean bill of health, here are some things to try.

1. Behavior modification (your dog’s behavior): In case boredom is the underlying problem, try enriching your dog’s environment and lifestyle (toys, games, walks, obedience training, play, treats, time spent with you).

2. Behavior modification (your behavior): This involves keeping your dog on leash, avoiding dog parks, and being hyper-vigilant about picking up bowel movements in the yard the minute they’re deposited.

3. Response substitution: Teach your dog an alternative behavior, such as sitting down or making eye contact with you when he discovers feces. In response, he receives a high-value reward such as a yummy treat or a game of tug of war. Consider working one-on-one with a professional trainer to accomplish this.

4. Taste aversion options: Specific products exist that, when mixed in with the dog’s food, render a terrible taste to the feces. Unfortunately, none have a stellar track record, but are worthy of trying. Ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendations.

Is it really necessary to prevent coprophagia?

Beyond the yuck factor (who wants kisses from dogs that eat poop), coprophagia can result in intestinal parasites, gastrointestinal upset, transmission of infectious diseases, and exposure to medications that are eliminated in the feces.

Have you had to manage a dog who eats poop? If so, what did you try? What worked and what didn’t?

Best wishes for abundant good health to you and your four-legged family members,

Dr. Nancy