PetsCareLab

Watching your puppy chow down on poop is enough to make you rethink just how warm and fuzzy those puppy kisses really are. While this behavior—known as coprophagy—is surprisingly common in puppies, it’s definitely not something we want to encourage.

By understanding why your puppy engages in this unpleasant habit and learning how to address it properly, you can help prevent it from sticking around for life. So, what drives puppies to eat poop?

Why Is My Puppy Eating Poop?

If your puppy habitually consumes stool, it’s important to consult your veterinarian. There are a variety of reasons behind this behavior, and understanding whether the root cause is medical, behavioral, or a mix of both will guide you to the most effective solution.

Puppies Eat Poop Because They Mimic Their Mothers

Before puppies transition to solid food, their mother often cleans up after them by eating their stool. This instinctive, evolutionary behavior helps keep the den tidy and shields the litter from disease, parasites, and potential predators. After all, the pungent scent of accumulating waste in a den would certainly attract unwanted attention!

Puppies learn about the world by imitating their mother, so it’s common for them to try eating their own or their siblings’ poop. One way to limit this is by promptly picking up any stool before your puppies get a chance to snack on it.

Poor Digestion May Lead Puppies to Eat Poop

Another explanation for coprophagy is that some puppies develop this habit because they don’t properly digest their food. When digestion is incomplete, parts of the stool can retain the smell and flavor of their meals, tempting puppies to eat it.

Causes of digestion problems include diet formulation issues, intestinal parasites, or abnormalities within the digestive tract. If you notice your puppy struggling with weight gain, vomiting, or occasional diarrhea, a deeper look into their digestive health and diet is warranted.

Boredom and Stress Can Trigger This Behavior

Puppies lacking consistent socialization and mental stimulation often pick up unpleasant habits as a way to entertain themselves or cope with stress. While chewing on furniture or crates is more common, some may resort to eating their own poop.

Regular, lively play sessions and interactive time are crucial to curb this behavior. If your schedule means your puppy spends long stretches alone, discuss age-appropriate toys with your veterinarian to keep them happily engaged and reduce stress.

Not Getting Enough Food May Cause Poop Eating

Though less common, puppies might eat poop because they aren’t receiving adequate nutrition.

Growing puppies need a calorie-rich diet tailored to their developmental stage. Feeding should be consistent—usually three to four times a day. If you’re unsure about how much or how often to feed your puppy, consult your veterinarian for guidance.

Intestinal parasites can also rob your puppy of vital nutrients, leading to symptoms mimicking hunger. Your veterinarian can perform fecal tests to check for parasites and recommend treatment accordingly.

Puppies May Eat Poop to Get Your Attention

A common parental reaction to seeing their puppy eat poop is frustration or yelling. The problem is, puppies often don’t differentiate between negative and positive attention, so scolding might unintentionally reward the behavior. Some puppies quickly learn that eating poop garners a reaction, prompting them to do it deliberately to get your attention.

Puppies Might Eat Poop to Avoid Punishment

Conversely, some puppies eat their poop to hide evidence of accidents during house training if they associate punishment with having accidents indoors. This is why punishment is never effective when dealing with house training or coprophagy.

Instead, focus on rewarding positive behaviors, like going to the bathroom outside. Ignore accidents indoors; simply clean them up thoroughly. Reward your puppy with praise or treats when they eliminate outdoors. This teaches them that good behavior—not poop eating—earns attention.

How To Stop a Puppy From Eating Poop

If your puppy has already developed the poop-eating habit and is otherwise healthy, the following strategies can help curb this unappealing behavior.

Always Feed Your Puppy Premium-Quality Food

Provide a nutritionally balanced diet formulated specifically for growing puppies. Remember, a large-breed puppy’s needs are different from those of a tiny toy breed.

Work with your veterinarian to determine the right amount and feeding schedule for your puppy’s age and size. Monitor for signs of digestive distress like vomiting, diarrhea, or undigested food in the stool, which could indicate digestive issues that need attention.

Ensure Your Puppy Gets Plenty of Exercise and Interaction

A well-exercised and mentally engaged puppy is less likely to develop unwanted habits. Make sure to offer regular chances for physical play and mental stimulation. When you’re away, provide safe chew toys or puzzle feeders that are suitable for your puppy’s age to keep boredom at bay.

Keep Your Puppy’s Environment Clean of Stool

Limiting access to feces is one of the most effective ways to stop poop eating. Clean up promptly after your puppy eliminates to reduce temptation.

After your puppy goes to the bathroom, call them away from the stool immediately. Reward your puppy when they respond and ignore the stool. If possible, bring them inside before removing the poop to prevent drawing their attention back to the spot.

Use a Leash for Better Control

For puppies who are determined to investigate their stool, keeping them on a leash can help redirect their attention and prevent snacking. It also helps keep them away from the feces of other animals.

While verbal commands and recall are best, gently tugging on the leash can initially break their focus. Remember to reward good response with treats and praise, reinforcing positive behaviors.

Why Do Adult Dogs Eat Poop?

Adult dogs eating poop might be carrying over this behavior from puppyhood, or it could emerge due to different reasons like anxiety or boredom. The exact causes remain somewhat of a mystery.

As with any sudden behavior change, it’s essential to rule out medical issues by consulting a veterinarian.

If no underlying health problems are identified, use the same approaches recommended for puppies to discourage adult dogs from eating poop.