Why do dogs eat their own poop?
Dogs can have some interesting and quirky habits, from chasing their tails, sniffing crotches and rolling in garbage to name a few. However, most dog owners will agree that one of the most disgusting habits dogs can have is coprophagia, also known as eating poop. You may be concerned that they are unwell, hungry, bored or worried that the poo may be bad for them.
You will be happy to know that eating their own poo is quite common and considered normal dog behaviour.
So why do dogs eat poo?
Instinct – dogs evolved as scavengers, eating whatever they could find to survive and prevent starvation. Eating their own waste also helped to eliminate their traces so predators couldn’t hunt them. These days domesticated dogs are part of a loving family that provides them with a complete and balanced diet and a home safe from predators. However, these natural instincts can remain.
Diet – if parts of your dog’s food remain undigested when it comes out the other end, they may eat it again. If this is the case, it is worth taking a closer look at your dog’s stools and their diet. A poor-quality diet will not be digested and can come out visible in their faeces. Please feel free to discuss how to offer your pet a complete and balanced diet in their next visit to the vet.
Because they are bored – it is not uncommon for an anxious or bored dog to start eating poo. If your dog is alone all day in the backyard, they may be eating poo as a form of entertainment. To prevent boredom, make sure your dog has plenty of toys to entertain them during the day. They also need plenty of regular exercise and supervised playtime.
Stress & anxiety – coprophagia may be a result of stress & anxiety in your dog. This can often develop in dogs that are being house trained. If they are punished for having accidents, it can cause stress and anxiety. They can then eat their bodily waste to hide the evidence of what they believe is naughty and to avoid getting in trouble.
Nursing mothers – after having a litter, nursing mothers will often lick their puppies to encourage them to poo and then clean up their faeces by eating it.
Is it bad for my dog to eat poo?
Whilst it is normal behaviour, eating faeces will not harm your dog. They only time you need to be concerned is:
When it becomes a regular habit – occasional poop eating isn’t a cause for concern. If they are compulsively eating their own poo on a regular basis, it is worth getting it checked out by one of our vets to identify and address any underlying health concerns or behavioural problems.
When eating poop of other animals – whilst eating their own faeces is harmless, eating poo from other animals may cause health problems. Especially if the stool is contaminated with parasites, viruses or toxins. It is best to discourage your dog from eating other animal’s faeces.
Tips to prevent your dog from eating poo
A common question by dog owners is how to get them to stop eating poo. Here are a few tips:
Prevent access – your dog can’t eat something that isn’t available to them. Clean up after them immediately and if you have a cat, restrict your dog’s access to the litter tray. Keep the litter tray clean by removing any faeces daily and change the litter regularly.
Training – work on the commands “leave it” and “come”. You can offer your dog a treat or ask them to “sit” after they eliminate to give you time to clean it up. Use positive re-enforcement during house training to prevent anxiety induced coprophagy in puppies.
Entertainment - make sure your backyard is an appealing place for your dog to be with plenty of toys. You can make your backyard more entertaining by offering puzzle toys or safe chew toys that take time and energy to play with.
Exercise & attention - your dog needs daily physical exercise to expend their energy. They also need quality time with you each day.
Diet – if you notice undigested food in your dog’s faeces, make sure they are getting a complete and balanced diet. Please feel free to talk about your dog’s diet in their next visit to the vet.
Whilst eating poop is normal dog behaviour, it can become a concern if it turns into a habit or if they are eating waste from other animals. If you would like to talk about your dog’s eating habits or health, please get in touch with us on 03 8784 4444.