Why does my dog eat poop? Causes and how to stop it

Few things are as baffling, or as gross, as watching your dog eat their own poop or another animal’s. If you’re wondering why your dog eats poop, you’re far from alone: it’s a much more common behavior than most owners realize, and it has a name, coprophagia.

A University of California, Davis study based on surveys of thousands of dog owners found that roughly 1 in 6 dogs eats poop frequently. Most of the time the cause is behavioral, but sometimes there’s a medical problem behind it. This guide shows you how to tell the difference, what the real risks are, and how to stop it without punishment.

Is it normal for dogs to eat poop?

From a dog’s point of view, sometimes it is:

• Nursing mothers. For the first few weeks, a mother dog licks her puppies and eats their waste to keep the den clean. This is completely normal and stops around weaning.
• Puppies. They explore the world with their mouths, and many try poop out of sheer curiosity. Most grow out of it as they mature, often before their first birthday.
• A possible ancestral habit. One hypothesis suggests that dogs’ ancestors removed fresh feces from resting areas before the eggs of some intestinal parasites became infective, which takes a few days. It fits a striking finding from the Davis study: the vast majority of poop-eating dogs prefer fresh stools, no more than two days old.

Having an explanation doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Coprophagia can spread parasites, and it’s unhygienic, especially in homes with kids.

Behavioral causes of coprophagia

These are the most common in healthy dogs, and they often overlap:

• Hunger or greediness. Dogs described as greedy eaters are more likely to do it, as are dogs on weight-loss diets or fed only once a day.
• Boredom and lack of stimulation. It’s typical in dogs left alone for hours in a yard or kennel run, where poop is the only “entertainment” around.
• Attention seeking. If the whole family yells and runs over every time your dog heads for a pile, it can turn into a thrilling game.
• Punishment during house training. It’s thought that dogs scolded for accidents may learn to “hide the evidence.” That’s one more reason to potty train a puppy with positive reinforcement only.
• Stress and anxiety. Long periods of confinement, changes at home, or trouble being left alone can trigger it.
• Copying other dogs. In the Davis study, poop eating was more common in multi-dog households.
• Small, dirty living spaces. Dogs kept in crates or kennels that aren’t cleaned often are more likely to eat their waste.

If your dog has several challenging behaviors, our guide to fixing dog behavior problems offers a broader approach.

Medical causes to rule out

Some conditions increase hunger or keep the body from absorbing food properly, and the dog tries to make up for it by eating whatever they find.

Is it dangerous? Risks by type of poop

Most dogs that occasionally eat poop don’t suffer serious consequences, but the risk depends a lot on whose poop it is.

Two details worth knowing. Cat poop is especially tempting to dogs, likely because it contains leftovers of a very high-protein diet; put the litter box up high or behind a baby gate your cat can hop over but your dog can’t. And with horses, dewormer residues in manure can be particularly dangerous for breeds that carry the MDR1 mutation, such as collies and Australian shepherds.

Some parasites spread this way, such as roundworms, can also infect people. Ask your vet how often to deworm your dog if this is a habit, and if you have a puppy who isn’t fully vaccinated, keep the risk of parvovirus in dogs in mind in busy dog areas.

How to stop your dog from eating poop: a step-by-step plan

1. Rule out medical problems first, especially if the behavior is new or comes with other symptoms.
2. Pick up poop right away, in the yard and on walks. Every time your dog manages to eat some, the behavior gets reinforced, because to them it’s rewarding.
3. Build a “poop equals treat” routine. As soon as your dog finishes going, call them in a happy voice and give a high-value treat right next to you. Within a few weeks, many dogs start turning toward you when they’re done instead of sniffing the pile.
4. Teach “leave it.” It’s the most useful tool on walks. Practice at home with food first, using our guide to teach your dog leave it and drop it.
5. Keep them leashed in high-risk areas, like busy parks or horse trails. A 15–30 ft (5–10 m) long line gives freedom without losing control.
6. Adjust feeding. Check with your vet that the amount is right, split it into 2–3 meals, and use puzzle feeders or slow-feeder bowls.
7. Meet their needs. Walks with plenty of sniffing time and indoor games to tire out your dog reduce boredom and anxiety.
8. Consider a basket muzzle in extreme cases. For dogs that eat everything on walks, a well-fitted basket muzzle, introduced gradually with treats, lets them pant and drink while preventing them from swallowing anything.

Remedies that don’t work and mistakes that make it worse

• Punishing, yelling, or pushing their nose toward the poop. It raises stress, which is one of the causes, and can make them eat it faster or in secret.
• Relying only on food additives that supposedly make poop taste bad. In the Davis study, owners rarely reported them as effective.
• Home remedies like pineapple, pumpkin, or meat tenderizer. There’s no good evidence they work.
• Putting hot sauce on poop. It irritates the mouth and teaches nothing: the dog simply learns which piles are “spicy.”
• Waiting for an adult dog to outgrow it. Without changes to the environment, the behavior usually becomes a habit.

With consistent management, most dogs improve within a few weeks, though dogs that have done it for years can take months and may always need some supervision.

Frequently asked questions

Does my dog eat poop because something is missing from their diet?

With a complete and balanced dog food fed in the right amount, nutritional deficiencies are an uncommon cause. It’s more likely that the dog is hungry because portions are too small, or isn’t absorbing nutrients well because of a digestive problem. Before switching foods or adding supplements, ask your vet to check your dog’s weight, body condition, and stool.

Will my puppy grow out of eating poop?

In many cases, yes: most puppies lose interest as they mature. In the meantime, don’t let it become a habit. Pick up their poop right away, reward them for coming to you after they go, and never punish accidents in the house. If they’re still doing it after their first birthday, talk to your vet about possible causes.

Is it dangerous if my dog licks me after eating poop?

It can pass on bacteria and parasite eggs, so it’s best not to let them lick anyone’s face, especially young children, older adults, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Wash your hands after touching your dog’s mouth, stay current on deworming, and skip the kisses while the habit lasts. The risk is low in a healthy, dewormed dog, but it isn’t zero.

Why does my dog only eat poop when left alone?

It usually points to boredom or distress about being alone, sometimes combined with an urge to “clean up” after an accident in the house. Look at how many hours they spend alone, leave stuffed toys or safe chews, and use a pet camera to check for other signs of anxiety, like destruction or nonstop barking. If you see them, work on the anxiety with a professional.

Sources

• Hart, B. L. et al. (2018). The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy. Veterinary Medicine and Science (University of California, Davis).
• American Kennel Club (AKC): why dogs eat poop and how to stop it.
• Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC): guidelines on intestinal parasites in dogs.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and behavior problems in dogs.