Editor’s Note: Originally published in 2024. Updated in October 2026 to reflect current information and answer some of the common questions we hear from pet parents.
Let’s just say it: dogs eating poop is gross.
If you’ve ever watched your dog happily trot away with a mouthful of something they absolutely should not be eating, you’re definitely not alone.
The behaviour has a name, too: coprophagia, which simply means eating feces.
While it can be unpleasant for us, coprophagia isn’t always a sign that something is seriously wrong with your dog. There are several possible reasons dogs eat poop, ranging from normal instinctive behaviour to boredom, learned habits, diet, or an underlying health issue.
Let’s take a closer look at why it happens and what you can do about it.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
1. Instinct and Natural Behaviour
Mother dogs naturally clean up after their puppies by eating their feces. This helps keep the nesting area clean and may also help protect vulnerable puppies from predators.
Some dogs may retain an interest in feces even after puppyhood.
For other dogs, it can simply become a habit once they’ve discovered that poop is, apparently, a fascinating snack.
2. Boredom or Opportunity
Sometimes the explanation is much simpler.
Dogs are curious animals, and a dog who isn’t getting enough physical activity, mental stimulation, or enrichment may be more likely to investigate things they wouldn’t otherwise bother with.
If poop is readily available in the yard, it’s also an easy opportunity.
Regular exercise, training, enrichment, and keeping the yard clean can all help reduce the opportunity for the behaviour.
3. Diet and Digestion
Diet can be one piece of the puzzle, although eating poop doesn’t automatically mean your dog has a nutritional deficiency.
A balanced diet should provide the nutrients your dog needs. If you’re concerned that your dog’s current diet isn’t meeting their nutritional requirements, it’s worth reviewing the diet with your veterinarian or a qualified pet nutrition professional.
Digestive health may also be worth considering. Poor digestion or difficulty absorbing nutrients can sometimes contribute to unusual eating behaviours, particularly when accompanied by other signs such as weight loss, chronic loose stools, increased appetite, or changes in body condition.
4. Medical Conditions
Occasionally, coprophagia can occur alongside an underlying health problem.
Conditions that affect digestion or nutrient absorption, intestinal parasites, and some conditions that increase appetite may contribute to the behaviour.
If your dog has suddenly started eating feces, is doing it frequently, or has other symptoms, it’s worth talking with your veterinarian to rule out an underlying cause.
What Can You Do About It?
Clean It Up Quickly
This is probably the least glamorous solution, but it’s one of the most effective.
Pick up feces as soon as possible so your dog doesn’t have the opportunity to practise the behaviour.
The fewer chances they have to rehearse it, the easier it can be to break the habit.
Provide Plenty of Mental and Physical Enrichment
A fulfilled dog has better things to do than patrol the yard looking for snacks.
Regular walks, training sessions, scent games, food puzzles, play, and appropriate chews can all provide mental stimulation.
For dogs who love to chew, a suitable chew can also give them an outlet for that natural behaviour.
Teach a “Leave It”
A reliable “leave it” cue can be incredibly useful.
Start by rewarding your dog for leaving something low-value alone, then gradually work up to more distracting environments.
If your dog heads toward something they’d like to eat, calmly redirect them and reward them for choosing you instead.
Punishment isn’t necessary and may make the situation worse, particularly if your dog learns to eat the feces quickly before you can get to them.
Review Their Diet
If your dog eats poop regularly, it’s worth taking a closer look at their overall diet.
At Poochie Moochie, we like to look at the whole picture, including:
- Is the diet complete and balanced?
- Is your dog maintaining a healthy weight?
- How well are they digesting their food?
- Are their stools consistently healthy?
- Are they eating an appropriate amount?
- Are there other digestive symptoms?
For dogs eating a raw diet, rotating appropriate proteins can provide variety in the bowl while maintaining a nutritionally balanced feeding plan.
We can also help you look at appropriate toppers and nutritional additions, depending on your dog’s individual needs.
Support Digestive Health
A healthy digestive system is an important part of overall health.
Depending on the individual dog, pet parents may choose to incorporate products such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, fermented goat’s milk, bone broth, or other nutritional toppers.
These aren’t a guaranteed solution for coprophagia, but they can be part of a broader approach to supporting digestive health.
If you’d like to learn more about probiotics, check out our article Probiotics for Dogs and Cats: What Pet Parents Should Know.
What About Supplements?
You’ll find plenty of products marketed specifically to stop dogs from eating poop.
Some contain ingredients intended to make feces taste less appealing to dogs, while others focus on digestive support.
It’s important to remember that supplements aren’t a substitute for figuring out why your dog is doing it in the first place.
If your dog has a persistent problem, start by looking at diet, digestion, environment, behaviour, and possible medical causes rather than simply trying to mask the behaviour.
When Should You Talk to Your Veterinarian?
Occasional poop eating isn’t necessarily an emergency, but it’s worth discussing with your veterinarian if:
- The behaviour suddenly appears in an adult dog.
- Your dog is constantly hungry or eating unusual amounts.
- They’re losing weight.
- They have chronic diarrhea or loose stools.
- They’re vomiting.
- Their coat or body condition has changed.
- You suspect intestinal parasites.
- The behaviour is persistent or getting worse.
Your veterinarian can help determine whether further testing, such as a fecal examination or bloodwork, is appropriate.
How Poochie Moochie Can Help
If you’re trying to figure out why your dog is eating poop, we’re happy to help you look at the nutritional side of the puzzle.
We can talk through your dog’s current diet, protein variety, digestive health, and appropriate nutritional additions.
Depending on your dog’s needs, options may include:
- A complete and balanced raw diet.
- Rotating appropriate protein sources.
- Probiotics or digestive support.
- Digestive enzymes.
- Fermented goat’s milk.
- Bone broth.
- Appropriate organ meats and nutritional toppers.
- Natural chews and enrichment options.
We won’t promise that changing your dog’s food will magically make the poop disappear. But nutrition and digestive health can be an important piece of the bigger picture.
The Bottom Line
Coprophagia can be frustrating, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your dog is missing something from their diet or that there’s something seriously wrong.
Sometimes it’s instinct. Sometimes it’s habit. Sometimes it’s boredom. And sometimes there may be a medical or digestive issue worth investigating.
Start with the basics: keep the yard clean, provide plenty of enrichment, teach a solid “leave it”, and make sure your dog’s diet is appropriate and balanced.
And if the behaviour is persistent or accompanied by other changes, talk to your veterinarian.
Because while we love our dogs dearly, we’re perfectly happy if they leave the poop where it belongs.
Important: This article is for educational purposes and isn’t intended to diagnose or treat your pet. If your dog develops sudden or persistent coprophagia, particularly alongside other symptoms, speak with your veterinarian.