The correct term for a dog eating poop is coprophagia. Sounds more scientific, yes, but any less disgusting? No! Regardless, this is actually a natural behavior for some animal species. But from a person’s point of view, it’s disgusting! Let’s talk about how to get a dog to stop eating poop!
Why Does My Dog Eat Other Dogs Poop?
People have a hard time understanding why dogs eat poop, whether it’s their own, or poop from other dogs, cats, or rabbits. This habit is usually most prevalent in puppies, and certain breeds are prone to it as well.
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Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
There are many theories floating around about why dogs eat poop. The simplest
theory is that the dog is just hungry. Make sure you dog isn’t underweight and that he’s getting enough food. Another theory is that they have a vitamin deficiency, and the dog is trying to compensate by eating poop. Or perhaps it’s a dog who is suffering from malnutrition, starvation, or a parasite infestation. These are possibilities, but in reality, these causes are rare.
Puppies sometimes eat their poop during house training because some (forgive me, but STUPID) pet owner thinks they should rub the puppy’s nose in it when he makes a mess. This not only encourages the dog to eat poop, but can also make the puppy decide he better eat it (get rid of it) before the owner sees it.
Also, food is not always completely digested by puppies so they can actually see nutritional value in their poop. (Have you ever given your dog corn then have it show up in the poop in the back yard? Lovely…)
How to Get a Dog to Stop Eating Poop
The first and most important thing to do when facing this problem is to make sure your dog is kept in good health. Otherwise, he could develop illnesses that can result in his eating poop. In addition to that, here are several more tips to help you stop your dog from eating poop.
Have your veterinarian check your dog for parasites. Your dog may lack essential bacteria in his digestive system. And parasites are dangerous – they can compromise your dog’s immune system and put him at risk for serious illnesses.
Give your dog a daily multi-vitamin or stool eating deterrent. This will help ensure that your dog isn’t suffering from a vitamin deficiency causing him to eat poop. You can purchase in inexpensive, chewable multi-vitamin for your dog here.
On a similar topic, I had a mini dachshund years ago who began eating rocks from the driveway. The vet suggested she had a vitamin deficiency and suggested a daily multivitamin. It worked…she stopped eating rocks.
Keep your home and yard clean. Keep the dog’s bedding washed on a regular basis, along with his water and food dishes. I cannot express enough how important it is for you to keep your home and yard clean. Once your dog is housebroken, the chances of him eating poop inside the house are slim. However, he’s likely to start making messes in the house again if he smells old pee or poop odors in the house.
You can use an inexpensive product called Nature’s Miracle to get rid of old urine and feces odors. You can purchase it here.
Distract your dog when he tries to eat poop. When your dog is done pooping, lead or call him away from the area immediately (or if you see him approaching another animal’s poop). As soon as he leaves the area, give him praise.
Clean up the poop! Purchase a pooper-scooper and keep it handy so you can clean up the poop after you’ve called the dog away from the area. Make a point of walking around the yard daily to clean up any poop. You can purchase one here for less than $12. Or, you can use poop bags which you can find here.
Clean their teeth! If you’re dog has been eating poop then his breath is probably beyond disgusting, and his teeth are filthy. Here’s an article from PetMd on The Best Way To Clean a Dog’s Teeth.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Poop
The consistent cleanliness, training and maintenance described above should prevent and stop your dog from eating poop. Please comment below and let me know how you make out!
Need More Help?
If you’ve tried all these tips and still need help, I can suggest the dog training website, TheOnlineDogTrainer. They have more than 300 step-by-step dog training videos where you get to watch Professional Dog Trainer and Behavioral Specialist, Doggy Dan, train dogs on all sorts of behavior issues.
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I Donate to Animal CharitiesI donate 10% of my earnings from this website to animal charities. To see a list of charities I donate to, CLICK HERE. If you like this website, please share it with other pet owners. Thank you! Debra
Hi Debra, who would’ve thought a term for dog eating poop, and it sounds just as disgusting. LOL I think we all (dog owners) have had a pet or two that has eaten poop, (especially cat poop) at one time or another.
It does become a problem when they consistently do it, and you’re right about stupid people rubbing their dog’s nose in it, that just does more harm than good.
I found the video very informative, I think everyone that has had this problem should take a moment to watch it.
We have a cat that has decided to pee on the carpet rather than the litter box or outside, so I’m going to get the Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer, it sounds pretty good.
Sure am glad I came upon this article, thanks
Kim
Thanks so much for your comments, Kim. Glad you mentioned the cat peeing problem – here’s an article to help with that: How to Stop Your Cat from Peeing on the Carpet and How to Get a Cat to Use the Litter Box. I hope these help!
Thank you Debra, those two post were very helpful, I think our cat is peeing due to a chemical attraction, if I block the area so she can’t get to it, she will then use the litter box.
I will try cleaning it and using Nature’s miracle spray, hopefully that will work, I’m not ready to replace the carpet just yet 🙁
Kim
I almost lol when I first read the title, but this an issue that a lot of pet owners deal with and can be a disgusting nuisance at best, and dangerous for our pets’ health at worst. I think the steps you’ve outlined here are very practical and can be easily implemented. I’m looking forward to great results with my pet!
HAHA! The minute I clicked “Publish” I knew people would laugh when they saw it! Immediately followed by, “Eeeewwwww!” 🙂
Have a 15 week Weimaraner male puppy that eats his own poop and my othe dogs poop. We do pick up the poop in the yard however he is much faster than we are at times. Advise please! Also biting my other older dogs seems to be a issue with my puppy. Nor sure if it is puppy play or not advise also.
Hi Debbie! I know it’s a struggle, but read the article and watch the video in it and you’ll get help to get this solved. If you’re questioning the intent of the biting, your instincts are probably correct. You can get help with biting from Doggy Dan’s dog raining website. Here’s the link: https://peoplelovinganimals.com/TheOnlineDogTrainer Come back and let me know how you make out! Debra 🙂
After nearly 9years our lab ate her poop. It was icy and she couldn’t find exposed grass. Don’t know what possessed her. If she does it age in, guess I’ll call the vet.
Hi Susan. This is interesting. When you said she couldn’t find exposed grass…do you mean she normally eats grass? I’d be interested to know what your vet says about this. Please come back to report! Debra
Hi, I have recently rehomed two dogs. One is a pug who is 6 years old who has started (maybe always has) eating all of his poop and then vomiting it back up. Usually at night or when left alone.
Hi Jay, Other than the suggestions I give in this article/video, the only thing I can suggest is that you make sure the dog eats dinner early in the evening in time for him to have a bowel movement outside before bed. Eliminating his having to poop during the night when he’s alone will solve it. This might be caused by how the dog was treated when he was potty trained as a puppy. If people are harsh in punishing a dog for pooping in the house (rubbing their nose in it, hitting them, etc), the dog will literally eat their poop to get rid of it so they don’t get punished. Make sure you’re being kind to this little guy in every way. His trusting that he won’t be harshly punished for things will help him in general. Debra
Hi Debra, been feeding him earlier and it has made a big difference. They have been with us over a month now and seem to be settling it and the poop eating is becoming less frequent! Thanks for the advice!
Jay
You’re welcome Jay!
I have a 1yr old Dappled female Dachshund, I’ve had since she was weaned at 5 wks old. Her roomy is a 10yr old red male dachshund. They both use washable pee pads, as they stay indoors. She eats his poop only. I figure because he has only a few teeth & swallows most food whole, & it’s possibly not fully digested. Is this possible? Her main reason for poop eating? Does she need to see her Vet?
Hi Brian,
Yes, one of the reasons dogs eat poop is because they see it as a food source. Follow the guidelines in the article, starting with giving her a multivitamin if she doesn’t already take one. You might also set up different areas for each of their pee pads to keep her away from his poop. And yes, definitely ask the vet as he/she can probably be very helpful in getting this resolved. Poop eater or not, I bet she’s a cutie LOL Debra 🙂