The consumption of feces, scientifically termed coprophagia, is a behavior that many dog owners find deeply unpleasant and concerning. While distasteful from a human perspective, it is a relatively common occurrence in canines, with nearly one-quarter of dogs observed engaging in the act at least once and approximately 12% doing so consistently. The behavior can pose a risk of transmitting intestinal parasites and bacteria, making intervention important for the dog’s health and household hygiene. Addressing this habit requires understanding its complex motivations and implementing a consistent, multi-faceted approach.
Understanding the Causes
The underlying reasons for coprophagia are typically divided into two main categories: medical/nutritional and behavioral/environmental. It is recommended to consult with a veterinarian first to rule out any physical causes, as these often require specific treatments.
Nutritionally, a dog may resort to eating feces to “recycle” undigested food materials if its body is not properly absorbing nutrients. Conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), where the pancreas fails to produce adequate digestive enzymes, can result in malabsorption, leaving partially digested food in the stool. Other medical issues that increase appetite, such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or thyroid imbalances, may also lead a dog to seek additional sustenance by consuming feces. Intestinal parasites are another common cause, as they deplete the dog’s nutrients, causing a deficiency the dog attempts to remedy.
Behavioral motivations are numerous and can begin in puppyhood, where the behavior is often normal and temporary. Mother dogs instinctively consume their puppies’ waste to keep the den clean and avoid attracting predators, a behavior puppies may mimic. In adult dogs, coprophagia is often linked to boredom, anxiety, or a lack of mental stimulation. Dogs that have been punished for indoor accidents may learn to consume their waste in an attempt to hide the evidence and avoid confrontation.
Environmental and Management Strategies
The most immediate and effective step to interrupt the habit is to eliminate the dog’s access to the feces entirely. This management strategy prevents the dog from practicing the behavior, which is essential to breaking the cycle. The property must be cleaned promptly and thoroughly, removing all waste before the dog has a chance to ingest it.
Supervising the dog during outdoor elimination is a necessary measure. Using a leash during all potty breaks, even in a fenced yard, ensures the owner can physically intervene immediately after the dog eliminates. Once the dog finishes, the owner should use the leash to gently guide the dog away from the waste while the waste is retrieved and disposed of.
Management also extends to cleaning up waste from other animals, as dogs frequently consume cat feces or the waste of other dogs. Cat litter boxes should be inaccessible, perhaps by placing them behind a gate that only the cat can pass through or by using a top-entry box. In a multi-dog household, the supplement-based aversion strategy should be applied to all dogs to ensure the waste is unappealing regardless of which dog produced it.
Behavioral Training and Correction
Training focuses on teaching an alternative behavior that is incompatible with coprophagia, using positive reinforcement. The goal is to condition the dog to view eliminating as an opportunity for a high-value reward. This process begins by rewarding the dog immediately after they finish eliminating and before they show any interest in the stool.
The dog should be called away from the waste immediately upon completion and given a highly desirable treat, such as a piece of chicken or cheese. This redirection reinforces the desired sequence of “poop, move away, get a treat,” making the reward more appealing than the feces. Simultaneously, teaching the “Leave It” command to a high degree of fluency provides a reliable tool for intervention when the dog is near any feces. This command should be practiced frequently in a low-distraction environment before being applied to the actual situation.
Avoid scolding, yelling, or any form of punishment if the dog is caught in the act or if an accident occurs. Punishment typically increases anxiety and can inadvertently motivate the dog to consume the feces more quickly to hide the evidence, worsening the problem. Consistency in rewarding the correct behavior and maintaining a neutral reaction to the undesirable behavior will yield the best long-term results.
Dietary Adjustments and Supplements
Reviewing the dog’s current diet is often a helpful step, ensuring the food is highly digestible and provides adequate nutrients. A veterinarian may recommend switching to a formula with higher fiber or protein content, which can improve satiety and nutrient absorption. Changing the feeding schedule to smaller, more frequent meals can also assist with absorption, which may reduce the appeal of the stool.
A variety of over-the-counter supplements are available that are designed to make the feces taste unpleasant. These commercial deterrents often contain ingredients like Yucca schidigera, glutamic acid, or proprietary enzyme blends. The mechanism is based on compounds that are inert during digestion but create a foul taste or odor in the resultant stool.
While some owners report success, the effectiveness of taste aversion supplements is not guaranteed. They should be administered to the dog whose feces is being consumed. Digestive enzyme supplements, which contain lipases, proteases, and amylases, are another approach, aiming to improve the breakdown and absorption of food. This ensures fewer undigested nutrients remain in the feces, reducing its appeal as a food source.