We ’ve all seen our dogs do things that we find repugnant . They whiff rot animal carcasses , lick each other ’s butts , and eat their own vomit . But arguably the most distressing behavior observed in our canid fellow traveler is poop feeding , also known as coprophagy .

Coprophagia is not singular to dog and is respect as a natural or even necessary behavior in many animal . hare and rodent , for example , must eat their own poop for receive many all-important nutrients [ 1 ] . In other young animals , let in horses , eat their female parent ’s nincompoop helps to establish their normal intestine microbiome — the good bacterium that lives in the intestines and is essential for health [ 2 ] .

In this article , we will research why dogs eat up quarter , when to be disquieted about it , and what you may do about this gross behavior .

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Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

More often than not , rust poop is a normal behavior in dogs . After all , poop is unpleasant-smelling and dogs seem to be intimate lousy thing .

corrode stern also swear out a purpose in some cases . For example , female parent andiron need to stimulate newborn pup to crap and urinate by work them and will ingest their poop as a consequence . female parent dogs will also deplete their pup ’s after part in an attempt to keep their lair or living country clean . Most puppies will also go through a form of eating low-down .

Sometimes , coprophagia can be a foretoken of disease in dogs . Dogs with diseases that preclude their bodies from digesting and absorbing nutrient will sometimes feed their own dirt . This is likely the body ’s attempt to get more nutrients .

Beagle puppy playing in the garden

One such disease is called exocrine pancreatic deficiency ( EPI ) , which occurs most ordinarily inGerman Shepherds . In this disease the pancreas does not grow the enzymes that the body need to properly digest foods . Common symptoms include large , twisty soft faecal matter , excessive hunger , and weight exit .

Another more usually occurring digestive disease that may cause coprophagy is inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD ) . In IBD the intestines are abnormally inflamed and this lead to fall absorption of food from the dieting . Symptoms of IBD are standardised to those of EPI . Certain bacterial and leechlike infection can also lead to dogs eating poop .

bounder with disease or those receive medications that have excessive hunger may also be caught crunch on poo . Cushing ’s disease , a disease in which the physical structure develop too much hydrocortisone ( stress hormone ) will ordinarily make frump very athirst . likewise , domestic dog on sex hormone medications , such asprednisone , may also eat up poop due to increased hungriness . Phenobarbital , a coarse raptus medicament , will often increase appetence as well . Diabetes can also make domestic dog hungry enough to eat poop .

German Shepherd lying in the grass in evening light

Dogs that eat poop may also havea disorderliness called pica . Dogs with pica eat non - food items like dirt , spliff , rocks , and sometimes poop . Pica has a variety of causes including psychological and medical issues . Anemiawill usually cause pica so it is significant for dogs with pica to undergo blood tests . Pica and coprophagia can also be due to psychological upset such as obsessive compulsive upset andseparation anxiety .

In other cases , a deficiency of environmental stimulation can be to blame . Some dogs will eat poop because they are bored . If dog do not get enough physical and genial exercise , they may evolve inappropriate behaviors , such as ingesting their own dejection . This can be easily addressed by providing them with more fundamental interaction , toy , and physical exercise .

Similarly , some dogs will corrode feces because they can . ordure depart in their yard may be the most interesting thing they get to reek all solar day , so they eat it .

Dog eating from bowl outside

Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?

Some frump are notorious for foray into the computerized axial tomography litter box and , much to our disgust , feasting on cat poop . For after part - eat whelp , it seems that Caterpillar poop is extra delicious .

computerized tomography are obligate carnivores whereas dogs are omnivores . For this understanding , cat food typically contains more meat and protein than dog food . This is likely why kat food is pretty tasty to most dogs and their poop may have interchangeable gustatory perception .

computerized tomography poop is also readily accessible inside the family so it may be soft to get to than dog poop outside .

Two corgis sitting on couch with cat

Why Do Puppies Eat Poop?

pup research their new and exciting worldly concern with their mouths . When puppies deplete poop it is likely just a part of this normal explorative behavior . It has also been hypothesized that puppies may eat their own and other animals ’ poop in rescript to establish healthy intestine microbiomes [ 3 ] .

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop

Remove Access

The first measure is to remove your dog ’s access to poop as much as potential . As soon as your blackguard poops make indisputable to pick it up . If you are crate - training your dog , make indisputable the crateful is only large enough for your dog to endure up and turn around . If the crate is too large , he may poop in it and eat the evidence .

If you have a cat at home , consider come in litter boxes on a countertop that your cat can achieve but your wiener ca n’t , or habituate a child logic gate to preclude your hotdog access to the litter box .

Redirect Attention

Next , as soon as you notice that your frump is sniffle or picture interest in poop , airt his tending to a toy dog or treat and repay your dog as soon as he leaves the poop alone . you’re able to also work on training your dog to perform a command such asleave it , lookorsitevery time he depart for poop . Make certain to instantly reward your dog with a very tasty treat as soon as he performs the bid .

Don’t Punish Your Dog

It is important never to scold your dog or chase him when he is eating poop . This will likely just make him scarf down the poop more quickly . It may also lead to fear and anxiety , or may unknowingly reward the behavior . He may associate feed poop with a playfulness game of chase !

Check Your Dog’s Diet and Activity Level

If your dog is eating poop , ensure that he is eating a food that is nutritionally complete and balanced as malnutrition may be a factor . It is also important to verify that your dog receivesplenty of daily exerciseand mental stimulation with toys . Dogs that are bored or unstimulated are more likely to be coprophagic .

Try Supplements or Powders

There are certain chews , treats , powder , and supplements that you may give dogs that are designed to better digestive health or are supposed to make their poop predilection bad . These will only act if all the pets in the household are given these products until the firedog stops eating poop consistently . However , these products wo n’t work for all andiron .

Talk to Your Veterinarian

If eat poop has become an on-going issue for your cad , especially if he has any other abnormal symptoms or behavior , it is very important to have him valuate by your veterinarian .

Your veterinarian will prevail out aesculapian causes of coprophagy by perform a strong-arm examination , faecal tests and bloodline tests .

If aesculapian issues have been excluded , you have tried training proficiency , and you still can not stop your dog from eat after part , your vet may name you to a veterinary behaviourist to help treat a surmise behavioural disorder .

Puppy sniffing outdoors

Dog looking to owner outdoors with tongue hanging out of mouth

Owner giving puppy a toy outside

Dog playing with intelligence toy

Woman holding dog talking to vet