This article is written by Pet Circle Veterinarian, Is your dog eating poop? Faeces ingestion, or coprophagia, is quite a common behaviour in dogs and puppies. This phenomenon has been making dog owners retch in disgust for years. It may involve eating their own poo, eating another animal's poo, or even eating human poo - particularly babies or young children in nappies. But why do some dogs start this grotty habit? Does it indicate a medical or dietary issue? And what can we do at home to stop it? Skip to a Section: Why do dogs eat poo? There may be a few reasons why your dog is indulging in this gag-worthy habit. Not every dog eats poop for the same reason, so it's important to seek veterinary attention if you can't find a solution at home. 1. Dietary insufficiency A diet lacking in nutrients may be the cause for your dog's coprophagia. If your dog is not getting the nutrients they need from their diet, they may instinctively turn to poop or even soil to get what they need. Dietary insufficiency and malnourishment may be caused by feeding a cheap, poor quality pet food. Cheaper foods tend to use protein sources with lower digestibility and bioavailability, so your pet may struggle to absorb nutrients efficiently. For this reason, we always recommend sticking with a premium, trusted, quality pet food brand. It may cost you a little more in the short term, but it may save you big time in vet bills! Dietary insufficiency is also commonly seen in dogs who eat a home cooked diet. Cooking your dog's food at home may have some benefits, but it does risk being unbalanced nutritionally. If you wish to home cook for your dog, always seek the advice of a veterinary nutritionist. Read more on the topic of dog nutrition with our helpful guides:
See Our Top Recommended Diets For Reducing Coprophagia Certain gastrointestinal problems may lead to hunger, malnourishment, and consequential coprophagia. These issues include intestinal worms, pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal malabsorption, and viruses. If your dog is older and has never elicited poo-eating behaviour before, your vet may suspect a gastrointestinal problem. As gross as it may be to think about, your dog may be attracted to the smell or taste of the poop due to a strong or appealing aroma. Whether it is related to their diet's salt content, fat content, or another nutrient, some food seems to be so good on the way in that it's still tempting on the 'way out'! This occurs in a number of situations:
Some causes of abnormal hunger in pets include:
If your pup is under 1 year of age, they may just be a mischievous puppy up to no good. Even in cases where plenty of toys and mental stimulation are provided, some puppies just continue to eat poo. Just like children eating mud (or even poop in some cases!) we don't always know the exact motivation inside a puppy's head. However, it's important to keep in mind that puppy food is very rich in nutrients (as discussed earlier). It follows therefore that sometimes puppy poo can contain undigested 'nutrients', and as dogs have a keen sense of smell they might be able to tell! A swap to a different diet can help in some cases. See below for more about this. 1. The right diet Regardless of the cause, any poop-eating dog that is not already eating a premium pet food should be transitioned onto a top quality diet ASAP. If you're concerned about the cost, there are a number of simple ways you can save money on pet food - without compromising on quality.
TIPS - how to save money on pet food without compromising on quality:
Our Top Premium Dog Diets:
Advance Dog Food Advance's super premium, Australian made dog food is complete and balanced. Advance is also one of our best value premium diets, with extra large 40kg bulk value bags to ensure families on every budget can afford premium quality.
Hill's Science Diet Dog Food Hills Science Diet creates complete and balanced wet food in tins and sachets, as well as dry kibble. As one of our most trusted and vet-recommended brands, Hills food is tasty, nutritious, and made with high quality ingredients.
Ivory Coat Dog Food An Australian made all natural dog food. This grain free diet is rich in antioxidants, omega fatty acids and a natural probiotic to support healthy, thriving dogs.
Royal Canin Dog Food A premium range that contains optimal levels of energy and minerals to support healthy bone and joint development. Royal Canin is particularly known for their breed specific formulas.
Many people find that their dog seems less tempted by their own poop after ingesting pineapple juice. Others report success with paw paw, yoghurt or cottage cheese. (Note: if giving your dog yoghurt, make sure it doesn't have any artificial sweeteners in it! And also be aware that dairy products can give your dog the runs if you aren't careful...) When eaten, these ingredients seem to give a altered odour to the faeces, making it less enticing to poop-eating furry friends. What about pills or powder to stop your dog eating their own poop? Generally we don't recommend giving your dog any pills or powder without checking with your vet first. If you have a product in mind and would like some guidance, feel free to Ask a Pet Circle Vet. Another way to help stop poop-eating in dogs is to keep their mind busy and prevent boredom. Many dogs eat faeces simply due to lack of environmental enrichment, so providing plenty of toys - particularly puzzles and interactive toys - can help a great deal. Long-lasting treats such as bully sticks or veggie ears can also help keep some dogs occupied and happy. You might even like to consider finding a playmate for your furry friend to keep them entertained during the day. Plenty of "puppy playdate" websites and facebook groups exist these days. Plus, some vet clinics or puppy preschools may even be able to help you out by finding a pup of a similar age in your area. Read more about preventing boredom with our helpful guides: Choose the Perfect Toy for Your Pet, Boredom Busters for Dogs, and What Are The Best Dog Toys? Our Top Boredom-Busting Toys:
KONG Extreme Got a serious chewer on your hands? Designed for tough chewers, this KONG can be stuffed with treats, kibble, or peanut butter, and helps to satisfy your dog's instinctual need to chew.
iFetch Original Ball Launcher Suitable for small to medium dog breeds, the iFetch shoots its miniature tennis balls three, six or nine meters, and will continue to shoot balls so long as your dog fetches them and returns them to the top of the chute.
Paws for Life Snuffle Mat This Snuffle Mat is perfect for dogs who guzzle their meal too quickly, or who need a bit of extra puzzle-solving fun. The handy drawstring design means you can bring your snuffle mat on the go, or pack it away when not in use.
Tasty Bone These durable nylon bones are designed to keep even the most powerful of chewers satisfied. They may be washed in soap and water if needed and the delicious range of flavours are designed to last.
Another great way to prevent boredom is to ensure your dog receives plenty of exercise each day. Try to really tire them out with plenty of huffy puffy, particularly if you have a working breed or a particularly active young dog. Simply leaving them alone in a back yard is not sufficient, no matter how big your yard is. Proper long walks as well as running, swimming, and ball-chasing are all great ways to exercise your dog. Read more about exercising your dog with our 5 Essential Dog Walking Tips Last but not least, excessive poop consumption could be an obsessive compulsive behaviour stemming from anxiety or stress. Monitor your dog to see if they are experiencing other symptoms of anxiety such as hyperactivity, barking, paw-chewing, panting, hole-digging, or restlessness. If you think your pup may be stressed, proper training is always indicated as the first treatment. You may require the input of a professional dog trainer or your veterinarian. Aids and products to help reduce anxiety in dogs include the pheromone product Adaptil, supplements containing tryptophan such as PAW Complete Calm Chews, or an anxiety wrap like the Thunder Shirt. Read more about anxiety management with our articles: Above all, if you are worried about your dog's health, always consult your vet. Aside from the reasons listed above, excessive poop-feasting could be an indicator of an underlying health issue. At the end of the day, eating a little bit of poo is not generally dangerous. If it's becoming an excessive habit, try following our tips above and hopefully your pup's diet will be 'poop'-free in no time! For more information on dog behaviour, nutrition and more, take a look at some of our other articles: Biting, Chewing and Pooping: A Puppy Training Guide Natural Foods for Dogs What are the best dog treats? Dental Care for Puppies Your guide to fleas, ticks and worms Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy. |
How to keep dogs from eating poop
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