What Is Coprophagia in Dogs?
Coprophagia — the consumption of feces — is one of the most upsetting behaviors for dog owners to witness, yet it is remarkably common. Studies suggest that roughly 16% of dogs are frequent coprophagic (eat feces more than 10 times), and up to 24% have done it at least once. Despite being repulsive to humans, it is a behavior with deep biological roots.
Dogs may eat their own feces (autocoprophagia), the feces of other dogs (intraspecific), or feces from other species — cats, rabbits, horses, deer, and others (interspecific coprophagia). The motivations differ across these categories, as do the approaches to stopping the behavior.
While unpleasant, coprophagia is rarely dangerous for the dog (though it does create a transmission risk for intestinal parasites). Understanding why dogs engage in this behavior is the first step to managing it effectively.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
There is no single explanation for coprophagia — research suggests multiple overlapping reasons:
- Evolutionary behavior: Mother dogs instinctively consume the feces of puppies to keep the den clean and mask the scent from predators. This is completely normal and expected behavior in nursing mothers. Many puppies observe this and learn to imitate it.
- Curiosity and exploration: Young puppies explore the world with their mouths, and feces — with its strong scent — are naturally interesting. Most puppies who engage in coprophagia outgrow it as they mature.
- Boredom and understimulation: Dogs confined without adequate exercise, toys, or mental stimulation may develop coprophagia as a self-stimulating behavior.
- Attention-seeking: If eating poop reliably results in a big reaction from the owner — even negative — a dog may continue the behavior for the attention it generates.
- Anxiety and stress: Dogs with separation anxiety or those punished harshly for in-home accidents sometimes eat feces as an anxiety-related coping behavior, or to hide the evidence of an accident they fear will trigger punishment.
- Nutritional deficiency or malabsorption: Some dogs eat feces because of an underlying gastrointestinal condition that leaves nutrients incompletely absorbed — essentially, partially digested nutrients remain in the feces. Conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) or intestinal parasites can cause this.
- Steroid medication: Dogs on corticosteroids experience increased hunger and sometimes turn to coprophagia as a result.
- Learned behavior: Dogs who grew up in environments with poor sanitation (e.g., puppy mills) sometimes develop coprophagia through habituation.
Identifying Whether It’s a Medical or Behavioral Issue
Before assuming coprophagia is behavioral, rule out medical causes. A vet visit is worthwhile if your dog:
- Has recently started eating poop (especially if the behavior is new in an older dog)
- Shows signs of weight loss, poor coat, or chronic soft stools despite eating normally
- Has excessive gas, gurgling stomach, or yellow, greasy feces
- Is losing weight despite a ravenous appetite
These signs suggest exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), intestinal parasites, or other malabsorption disorders. A fecal exam and possibly serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) test can evaluate for EPI. Treating the underlying condition typically resolves the coprophagia.
If your dog is healthy and well-nourished but still eating poop, the cause is almost certainly behavioral, stress-related, or habitual.
How to Stop a Dog from Eating Poop
There’s no guaranteed, universal solution to coprophagia, but a combination of approaches is typically effective:
- Supervision and immediate cleanup: The most reliable strategy. Remove feces immediately after your dog defecates — every single time — so there is no opportunity to consume it.
- Keep your dog on leash during bathroom time and redirect with a treat or toy immediately after elimination. Build a positive association with finishing their business and moving on.
- Teach a solid “leave it” cue — essential training for any dog. Practice regularly so the command is reliable under distraction.
- Increase enrichment and exercise — a tired, mentally stimulated dog is less likely to engage in problematic scavenging behaviors. Add food puzzles, nose work, and longer daily walks.
- Avoid punishment for coprophagia — scolding often worsens anxiety-related coprophagia and can make dogs practice the behavior more covertly.
- Dietary and supplement approaches: Some dogs respond to enzyme supplements (protease-based) added to food. Products containing deterrent compounds (like “For-Bid” containing monosodium glutamate, or products with vegetable-based bitter compounds) can make feces taste unpleasant. These work variably — some dogs are undeterred.
- Feed a high-quality, digestible diet appropriate for your dog’s life stage and health condition.
Cat feces is a particularly common target because the high protein content of cat food makes cat poop smell and taste appealing to dogs. Using a covered, dog-proof litter box or placing the litter box in a location the dog cannot access is the most reliable fix.
Is Eating Poop Dangerous for Dogs?
Eating their own fresh feces carries relatively low risk for healthy dogs. Eating another dog’s or animal’s feces carries higher risk:
- Intestinal parasites — roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium can all be transmitted through feces
- Bacterial pathogens — Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli
- Viral diseases — parvovirus is shed in feces of infected dogs
Regular deworming and keeping your dog’s vaccination and flea/tick prevention up to date is especially important if your dog engages in coprophagia. Wash your hands after handling your dog and discourage face-licking until the behavior is resolved.