It’s a beautiful day outdoors, and you’re playing with your dog. After a bit, they decide to do their usual business. Then you notice something unusual about them. They’re eating poop, and it causes you to react quickly with a “No! Don’t do that.”
This may be their own poop or from a different animal. You’ve seen your dog engaging in what is known as “coprophagia.” In plain English, it’s the act of eating poop. Believe it or not, it’s a common thing that dogs do at times. The question now becomes: How to stop your dog from eating poop?
This guide will cover the cause of this behavior, prevention tips, and when it may be time for vet intervention. Even if your dog already does it, it’s never too late to reverse the issue.
Why Dogs Eat Poop: What Is It About This Behavior?
When we witness a dog exhibiting some kind of behavior that seems out of place, we ask this one question: Why do they do it? Dogs may engage in coprophagia for numerous reasons, including:
- Instinctual Behavior: One thing that may seem insane is that dogs may do this instinctively. Wild mother dogs will often eat their puppies’ poop regularly as a way to keep their den clean while also avoiding predators. As a result, dogs may retain this behavior for instinctual purposes. Don't be surprised that this is also common behavior for nursing dogs.
- Poor Digestion: Food that is undigested in the dog’s stool may smell like the same food they eat. As such, a poor diet or digestive issues may be to blame for this. You may discuss this concern with your vet, and they’ll provide you with dietary adjustments for your dog. If you’re asking how to stop your dog from eating poop, adjusting the diet is one solution.
- Nutritional Deficiency: There is the possibility that your dog might be lacking key nutrients like B vitamins, digestive enzymes, and other minerals. Once again, dietary adjustments could be the best solution here, especially if it’s to make up for those lost nutrients. In the meantime, dogs may resort to eating fresh stools for that purpose.
- Attention-Seeking: Dogs might just eat poop to get that reaction from their owners, whether it’s negative or otherwise. They might repeat it to engage with you. You’d be surprised what dogs can do when it comes to getting attention.
- Boredom or Isolation: Not surprisingly, what’s a dog to do when they have a lack of physical or mental stimulation? Eating poop may be one thing. The lesson here is that if a dog is bored or isolated, they’ll find something to keep them occupied, even if it means eating poop, doing some kind of damage, or some other behavior that may seem out of the norm.
- Anxiety or Stress: Of course, anxiety and stress are two other reasons why your dog might be eating poop as compulsive behavior. If you punish your dog for indoor accidents, this may be a common behavior. Otherwise, it may be a good idea to pinpoint why they are anxious or stressed. In situations such as car rides where they need to go places like the vet, Under the Weather’s Calming Chews just might be what they need to alleviate that anxiety or stress.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Stop a Dog from Eating Poop
Knowing the causes is key. As for how to stop your dog from eating poop, it’s time to know what action steps you need to take. With this in mind, we know what may be the cause. Let’s take a look at the necessary steps that are in line with them:
Improve Their Diet
As mentioned, improving your dog’s diet will be crucial. Dogs that are eating high-quality foods with balanced nutrients will have fewer issues with deficiency. This may solve the poop-eating problem over time since they are getting those nutrients regularly. It’s also important to consider the following:
- Feed your dog foods with whole ingredients. Avoid any byproducts or filters
- A digestive supplement that aids in nutrient absorption can also be included
- A bland diet might help with dogs, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
Consider a Digestive Supplement
If there is one thing you might want to consider, it’s a digestive supplement such as probiotics. What this can do is support digestive health while balancing gut bacteria that can improve stool quality and reduce their interests in eating poop. Digestive enzyme supplements can also be useful for correcting digestive issues, allowing the body to break down food and absorb nutrients more effectively.
Clean Up Immediately
This may be the quickest solution. After your dog poops, pick it up immediately. If they go on walks, make sure you have waste bags handy and dispose of it as soon as possible. For pet parents with multiple pets, be sure to clean litter boxes and shared areas frequently. While it may seem like a lot of work, it may be a solution to get a dog to stop eating poop. However, there are other ways, even if you do have multiple pets (so you don’t have to suffer with the tedious and sometimes physically taxing tasks).
Create a Safe and Engaging Environment
If you have a dog that is prone to boredom or anxiety, one thing you can do is redirect their energy, meaning you’ll want to engage in activities that can be done in a safe and engaging environment. This includes things like offering puzzle toys or slow feeders. It never hurts to do daily walks, training sessions, or play with them. The more active they are, the less bored they feel.
Also, consider what may be causing their anxiety (if it seems like a normal behavior for them). They may feel anxious when you leave home or during situations that may trigger it. Under the Weather’s Calming Chews may be one of the things you can give them to help them stay calm and feel safe. It could also curb the behavior of eating poop.
Train with Positive Reinforcement
Don’t punish your dog when they eat poop. Instead, it may be a good idea to reinforce the behavior you want to see. For example, if you see them approaching feces, use commands such as “leave it.” If they obey, reward them accordingly. Make sure you have treats on you if you are outdoors or during walks. They are the perfect thing to have on hand as a way to redirect their attention.
Rule Out Medical Conditions
At some point, there may be a time when vet intervention might be necessary. The only time you should ever consider this is if your dog’s pooping behavior is sudden or severe. Other indications to look out for are weight loss, vomiting, or lethargy. This could be an indicator of a possible medical issue, including:
- Diabetes
- Intestinal parasites
- Cushing’s disease
- Malabsorption disorder
As such, your vet may perform a stool test or blood work as a way to rule out any potential health problems. However, if there is a medical diagnosis, you’ll want to follow the recommended treatment plans as outlined by your veterinarian. If something seems off, investigating it further is something you should do as soon as possible.
Preventing Poop Eating in Puppies
Dogs eating poop can begin as early as their puppy stage. Yes, puppies have a habit of exploring the world around them. As such, they may discover certain behaviors, such as eating poop. They can grow out of it most of the time, but it never hurts to provide them with early training. Here are some steps that you need to take:
- Supervise them during potty training
- Use positive reinforcement each time they exhibit appropriate bathroom behavior
- Begin obedience training as early as possible. Use commands like “come” or “leave it.” Behavior modification training can certainly work wonders, especially when eating poop is a challenging behavior that dogs can overcome with proper training.
While training puppies can be exciting, it can come with its own set of challenges. As the old saying goes, the sooner, the better. In this context, you can teach a puppy not to eat poop at their early age. That way, they reinforce the “what not to do” aspect of not eating poop when they are adults.
Give Your Dog the Best with Under the Weather
Your dog eating poop shouldn’t be something they do normally. If necessary, there may be a solution where they stop doing it completely. It can be dietary adjustments, creating a safe and comfortable environment that makes them less stressed, or something else. If your dog needs the best dietary supplements or foods, Under the Weather has plenty of options available to dog parents like you.
We do our part to make sure that your dog lives a happy and healthy life. Of course, we’ll try to do what we can to ensure they stop eating poop, especially when it comes to possible dietary adjustments. See what Under the Weather has in stock for your dog today.
