Why Do Dogs Eat Poo?
Eating poo is common behaviour in dogs, but it is one of the characteristics that owners find, well, rather disgusting. The act of a dog eating its own, or another animal's poo actually has a scientific name – coprophagia. Usually, the poo that dogs will eat will often be from another species, with horse manure, cat poo, and fox poo all being favourites. Unfortunately, some dogs may actually eat their own poo or the poo of another dog, which is, for some reason, more disgusting. But why do they do it? What happens in a dog's brain that makes them want to do something which humans would never consider? In this article, we have attempted to provide explanations for some of the common theories for this behaviour in order to give you a better understanding of why your dog may be tucking into a lovely pile of poop.
It is a habit.
Many poo-eaters will simply divulge in the brown stuff as it forms part of their daily routine, and no association with ill health has ever been proven. Poo eating can certainly become a learned behaviour. If your dog starts to eat poo when they never have done it before then it is a good idea to discourage it so that it does not become a learned behaviour, and so that it does not become part of their day-to-day routine.
You may be concerned that your dog is eating poo because they are unwell. The majority of dogs that eat poo will not actually show any signs that they are ill before or after eating it. However, you should keep an eye out for any signs of ill health such as vomiting, diarrhoea or weight loss. If you have any concerns, or if they have suddenly started eating poo when they have never shown signs of doing so before then please seek veterinary advice.
They have a nutrient deficiency.
There is no evidence of this. Your dog will not try and eat poo when its body tells them that they have a nutrient deficiency. It is very unlikely given that many dogs that eat poo regularly are fed a commercially prepared complete diet which contains all of the nutrients that they need in the correct quantities. Again, it is more likely that your dog is only eating poo because it has become a part of their day-to-day routine. If your dog begins acting differently or showing signs that they are under the weather then you may want to seek advice from a vet.
They’re hungry.
This is definitely possible. You should make sure that you are feeding their diet in the correct quantity and that you are ideally feeding them twice a day. You should make sure that your dog is having a well-balanced commercially prepared diet as this will include all of the vitamins and nutrients that they require. If you require advice on the best food to give your dog then you should speak to your vet if you’re not sure. There are however some medications that can cause an increase in appetite, and this increase can occasionally lead to an increase in poo-eating behaviour. Let your vet know if this has started after the introduction of a new medication.
They are nursing puppies.
When a new mother is nursing her puppies it is completely normal for the bitch to eat her puppies’ poo. You should make sure that this is never discouraged as it is completely usual behaviour. Puppies will sometimes also eat poo as they explore their new environment, however, this behaviour should pass quite quickly.
They have intestinal worms.
Dogs that eat poo are at a much greater risk of picking up intestinal worms. This is even the case if they didn’t have them to begin with. It is a good idea to keep your dog regularly wormed if they are prone to chowing down on some poop. PocketVet offer a subscription service for flea and worming treatment. Once this is set up your pet’s medication will automatically arrive when it is next due. It’s just one less thing to remember.
They are bored or anxious.
This may be the case for some dogs as poo-eating can become a habit, much in the same way as some people will bite their nails when they feel anxious. You should ensure your dog is always stimulated and that they have plenty of enrichment through play and exercise. You can also use toys and aids such as puzzle feeders to keep them occupied!
Is there any risk to my dog eating poo?
The sensible thing to do is to try and discourage your dog from eating poo as it may be bad for their health. For example, some poo, such as horse manure, could contain traces of worming medication that could be dangerous for your dog.
Also, some poo may contain worms, and when your dogs eat it they may become infected. This is why it's a good idea to worm your dog regularly if they are a poo-muncher.
How can you stop your dog from eating poo?
There are many different ways that you can deter your dog from indulging in their favourite disgusting habit:
Regularly clear up after your dog in the garden to reduce their access to their favourite snack.
Try not to punish them or tell them off too harshly if they do eat poop – this can sometimes inadvertently make the behaviour more likely to occur again or can make them anxious or frightened to the point where they will not eat their actual food.
If they only tend to eat their own poo, then you can purchase special supplements that make their poop less enticing. Feeding your dog pineapple or courgette can also have the same effect, so you can try adding a little to their normal diet.
If your dog tends to eat poo when they’re off lead you should make it worth their while to come back to you instead of feasting on some faeces. You should also look to reinforce the ‘leave it’ command to get your dog to leave any poo they’re near alone.
Your dog may also treat your cat’s litter tray like an all-you-can-eat buffet if you have both animals in the house. Make sure the litter tray is out of their reach, for example behind a child gate with an in-built cat flap for instance, or a tray that is built into a cupboard. Make sure to also clear it out regularly.
If your dog’s habit is getting out of control then you should speak to your vet. They will be able to give your dog a thorough physical examination and may then suggest referral to a behaviourist for further help and advice.
Sources
https://pocket.vet/blog/why-does-my-dog-eat-poo
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-dogs-eat-poop/
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/why-does-my-dog-eat-poop#1
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/why-does-my-dog-eat-poop
https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/why-do-dogs-eat-poop
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/16-reasons-dogs-eat-poop-and-what-to-do-about-it/
