My Dog Eats Poop—And the Hilarious Way I Finally Got Him to Stop!
So, you adore your furry friend, but there’s one disgusting habit you just can’t ignore—eating poop. But why do dogs eat poop in the first place? Dog owner Kayla Winrow knows this struggle all too well, as her Frenchie/Chihuahua mix has turned this unsavory behavior into a full-blown habit.
In a hilarious video posted on her TikTok account @salvage.souls, Kayla revealed she’s forced to fit her pup with a muzzle whenever they’re outdoors to stop him from snacking on poop. Surprisingly, this tactic works! While many who come across her muzzled pup may conclude he has aggressive tendencies, it’s far from that.
@salvage.souls Whatever works! #dogsoftiktok #rescue #foster #adopt ♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi
“People probably see this and assume he’s vicious. In reality, he’s just a sh*t eater and this is the only way to stop him from eating turds,” Kayla wrote.
Since its uploading, the video has racked up 2.7 million views and thousands of hilarious comments from dog owners who can relate to this pop-eating behavior.
“My German won’t even wait for my Corgi’s droppings to hit the grass. Straight up forbidden soft serve,” one user wrote.
“Mine too! He will eat his own so we’re in a constant war to see if I can grab it in a bag before he gets it. I hate my life,” another added.
“My dog loves kitty treats from the litter box,” a third comment reads.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Expert Reveals 6 Common Reasons
Whether it’s their own poop or another animal’s, watching your canine friend feast on feces like it’s no big deal likely leaves one huge question mark in your mind: Why?!
Scientifically known as Coprophagia, poop-eating behavior in dogs could be due to different reasons. For some dogs, it’s simply a habit they indulge in out of curiosity, while others act out of instinct, particularly mother dogs.
“Well for some dogs, it’s out of pure curiosity. They explore the world with their noses and mouths, and sometimes, well, they’re just checking things out, and poop happens to be right there. But it’s not just curiosity. Some dogs do it because of instinct. It’s common for mom dogs to lick up their puppy’s poop to keep the den clean and avoid attracting predators. So some puppies naturally pick up that habit and take it through to adulthood,” explains veterinarian Dr. Alex Crow of Pooch & Mutt.
But there’s more….
Here are other potential reasons why your dog eats poop at any chance they get:
1. Underlying medical issues
Medical problems such as malabsorption, Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), intestinal parasites, and gastrointestinal disorders can trigger a dog’s urge to eat stool.
2. Nutritional deficiencies
If your dog isn’t getting enough of a particular nutrient in their diet, they may eat feces in response to their body’s nutrient cravings. “Dogs with nutrient deficiencies might eat poop because they are looking for vitamins or minerals that they are not getting in their diet,” says Dr. Crow.
3. Behavioral issues such as stress or anxiety
A dog experiencing stress, anxiety, or boredom may resort to eating poop for comfort.
“Poop eating can be a stress thing. Boredom, anxiety, or separation issues can drive some dogs to eat poop just to relieve stress. Kind of like when some people stress eat, only a lot grosser,” explains Dr. Crow.
4. Undigested food pieces in poop
A dog may also be attracted to eat feces if they notice any undigested food pieces in the poop. They simply enjoy the taste of these undigested pieces.
5. Lack of proper training/ Easy access to poop
If your furry friend isn’t properly trained to keep off poop or has easy access to this forbidden delicacy, they might carry on with this nauseating behavior.
How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop: 5 Remedies to Consider
If your dog is a poop eater, they could be at risk of contracting parasites, bacteria, or even viruses. It’s therefore, best to discourage this behavior for the sake of your their health. Here are a few remedies that can help your dog stop eating poop:
1. First Things First, See the Vet
If your furry friend has suddenly turned into a poop snacker, it’s best to see your vet so they can determine if there’s an underlying health issue or nutritional deficiency triggering the coprophagia. Your vet will also be able to determine if your dog’s current diet may be causing the poop-eating habit and offer the necessary dietary guidance.
“Have the vet check him. My older dog started this and it was a symptom of Cushing’s disease. His body could not absorb nutrients from the food so he was always hungry,” commented user @majikrat69 in a Reddit discussion post on how to stop a dog from eating poop.
2. Restrict Access to Poop
It’s simple — if they can’t access it, they won’t eat it.
You’d be surprised to learn that a study on coprophagia in dogs published in the Veterinary Medicine and Science journal found that 92% of dogs who eat poop prefer fresh stool. That is, poop that’s only a day or two old. In other words, the fresher the poop is, the tastier it could be to your furry friend. So, be sure to restrict access by clearing their poop immediately after they defecate.
“My Lab did this her whole life, and we tried all tricks….The only thing that worked was removing access. That meant no unsupervised yard time and picking up after her immediately,” shared Reddit user @waytoomanyponies.
3. Positive Reinforcement Training
Training can go a long way in breaking your dog’s poop-eating habit. Consider using firm commands like “leave it” and “no” when you catch your dog eating poop and diverting their attention away from the feces by offering them a treat or toy.
“The best method, at least for my Berner, was to steer her attention away right after pooping. Not necessarily negative reinforcement, just distraction. If you catch her in the act say a firm “no” and get her going on a toy or something. There are products and stuff out there, but good ol’ fashion training works best, I found,” commented one user in a Reddit discussion on how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies.
4. Try Pineapples
Pineapples contain a group of enzymes known as bromelain that gives poop an appalling taste and smell. So, by adding a few bite-sized pieces of this dog-safe fruit to your dog’s food, this might deter them from eating their own poop.
“Small amounts of pineapples work! I gave mine a couple of chunks with her food and within a couple of days she stopped the nasty habit,” Reddit user @gottabekittensme shared.
“Mine is slowly growing out of it, still does it occasionally but I found pineapple with her food has helped to decrease it by a huge amount. I just get some frozen pineapple and put a few pieces in her food in the morning and night. She loves the texture of the frozen pineapple and it’s helped decrease her eating of poop,” commented user @minionoftheionternet wrote in another Reddit discussion.
5. Use a Stool-Eating Deterrent
There are various poop-eating deterrent chews and supplements in the market designed to address coprophagia in dogs. In this case, we highly advise that you first consult your vet on the most effective stool-eating deterrent product.
“My puppy is the same way. I try to pick it up asap but sometimes she is quicker than I am. One thing that helped was those anti-poop-eating pills that you get on Chewy. She eats those pills easily and then doesn’t touch her poop that day,” user @uneasyquestions wrote in a Reddit discussion on curbing coprophagia in dogs.
6. Keep Your Dog Busy
To prevent your dog from eating poop out of boredom, ensure they get enough physical activity and mental stimulation every day.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop FAQs
Why Is My Dog Eating Poop?
There are various reasons why a dog may eat poop. As stated earlier, it could be that they have an underlying medical issue, have nutritional deficiencies due to lacking a well-balanced diet, have easy access to poop, or are dealing with stress.
Why Do Dogs Eat Their Own Poop?
Dogs with poop-eating behavior may have an underlying medical condition, nutritional deficiencies, are suffering from behavioral issues like stress or anxiety, and have easy access to poop, among other reasons.
What is coprophagia, and why do dogs eat poop?
Coprophagia meaning refers to the act of eating feces, and coprophagia in dogs can occur for several reasons. Dogs may eat poop due to curiosity, boredom, or behavioral issues. In some cases, they are drawn to food items present in the feces or suffer from a nutritional deficiency or underlying medical condition.
How can I stop my dog from eating their own poop?
The best way to cure coprophagia in dogs includes removing access to feces, using a coprophagia deterrent, and addressing possible underlying causes like digestive enzymes deficiency, pancreatic insufficiency, or intestinal parasites. Training and vet consultations are also highly recommended.
What causes coprophagia in adult dogs?
Coprophagia in dogs, including adult dogs, can be caused by boredom, stress, nutritional deficiency, or the presence of undigested food in dog stool. Other triggers include living in multi dog households or copying the behavior of other dogs.
Can a dog eating their own poop be a sign of a medical condition?
Yes, dogs that eat their own or others’ feces might have an underlying medical condition, such as pancreatic insufficiency or intestinal parasites. These issues prevent them from absorbing nutrients, causing them to eat feces in search of those missing nutrients.
Why do some dogs eat cat feces from the litter box?
Dogs may eat cat feces because they are attracted to the smell of undigested food in the litter. This behavior is common in multi dog households or among dogs with digestive enzymes issues. Regular cleaning of the litter box can help prevent this.
What is a coprophagia deterrent, and does it work?
A coprophagia deterrent is a product designed to make feces taste unappealing to the dog. These products often include ingredients like natural herbs or digestive enzymes that help reduce the appeal of dog stool and prevent the habit of eating their own poop.
What should a dog owner do if they catch their dog eating poop?
If you catch your dog eating poop, firmly say “no” and redirect them with a toy or treat. A dog owner should also clean up feces immediately, consider dietary adjustments, and consult a vet to rule out nutritional deficiency or medical condition.
Why do some dogs eat stools from other dogs?
When a dog eats other dogs‘ feces, it could be due to imitation, a lack of training, or seeking nutrients they are missing in their dog’s food. This behavior is also more common in puppies or dogs with pancreatic insufficiency.
Can nutritional deficiencies cause dogs to eat poop?
Yes, a nutritional deficiency is a common reason why dogs eat stools. If a dog’s food lacks essential vitamins or nutrients, they may seek those nutrients by eating their own poop or the feces of other animals.
What steps can I take to prevent coprophagia in multi dog households?
In multi dog households, ensure all dogs have balanced diets to prevent nutritional deficiency and reduce competition for food. Remove poop promptly, provide plenty of stimulation to prevent boredom, and use a coprophagia deterrent to discourage dogs that eat feces
