Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop (Coprophagia) : New Remedies
Why Dogs Eat Poop and 3 New Remedies That May Help
Dogs eat poop.
Yes, it is gross.
And yes, it is also very common.
The medical name is coprophagia, which simply means stool eating. I heard this complaint often in practice. Pet parents would come in and say, “Doc, please do whatever you can to stop my dog from eating poop.”
Fair request.
Because no one wants kisses from a dog who just had a fresh snack from the backyard.
So why does this happen, and more importantly, what can you do about it?
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Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
There are a few possible reasons.
Some dogs may eat poop because of instinct. Dr. Benjamin Hart, a researcher at UC Davis, published a study on coprophagia in dogs. He suggested that ancestral canids may have eaten fresh feces around denning areas to reduce parasite spread.
In other words, this odd little habit may be wired into some dogs.
Not exactly charming, but it may have had a purpose.
Interesting Poop Eating Facts
Here are a few things that study found:
- About 20% of dogs show serious poop eating behavior at some point
- Coprophagia is more common in multi-dog households
- Female dogs are more likely to be poop eaters than male dogs
- About 92% of dogs who eat poop prefer fresh stool, usually one to two days old
- About 85% prefer eating another dog’s stool, not their own
- “Greedy eaters,” or dogs who steal food, are more likely to eat poop
So if your dog is a fast eater, food thief, and backyard poop hunter, well, apparently she is following a pattern.
Looking at you, Tula.
When to Look Deeper
Most poop eating is behavioral, but not always.
Sometimes it can be linked to:
- Digestive enzyme deficiency
- Poor nutrient absorption
- Vitamin deficiency
- Parasites
- Poor diet quality
- Chronic digestive issues
- Excess hunger
- Stress or boredom
If your dog suddenly starts eating poop, or if there is weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, increased appetite, or poor coat quality, I would have your dog checked.
You want to rule out parasites, digestive disease, and malabsorption.
Stop dog eating poop: the 3-step plan
Remedy 1: Add a Good Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
One possible reason some dogs eat poop is a vitamin deficiency, especially a B vitamin called thiamine.
Fecal microbes can produce thiamine. So if a dog is lacking this B vitamin, she may be trying to get it from stool.
Lovely, right?
One simple solution is to add a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement.
This is where a complete formula, such as Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula, may be helpful.
A complete supplement can support:
- Daily vitamin and mineral needs
- Gut health
- Immune function
- Skin and coat health
- Overall nutrition
If the poop eating is partly driven by a nutritional gap, this is one of the first places I would start.
Remedy 2: Try Digestive Enzymes
The second option is digestive enzymes.
Why enzymes?
Your dog was originally designed to digest animal protein. But many commercial diets are high in carbohydrates, including potatoes, grains, and starches.
Some dogs do not digest these foods well.
Poor digestion may leave partially digested nutrients in the stool, making it smell and taste more interesting to your dog.
Not interesting to us, obviously.
A digestive enzyme supplement may help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins more effectively.
Look for enzymes such as:
- Amylase
- Lipase
- Protease
A typical starting amount is about:
1/4 capsule per 20 pounds of body weight daily
Mix it into food.
This may be especially useful for dogs with soft stool, gas, bloating, or chronic digestive issues.
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Remedy 3: Make the Stool Taste Bad
The third option is making the stool taste unpleasant.
There is a veterinary product called Forbid that has been used for this purpose. The main active ingredient is similar to MSG.
Now, I am not a big fan of feeding MSG long term.
But for short-term poop eating, this can help.
You can buy a similar over-the-counter product at the grocery store, often sold as a flavor enhancer, such as Accent. The active ingredient is MSG.
The idea is simple.
You lightly sprinkle a tiny amount onto your dog’s food. Your dog eats it. It changes the taste of the stool. The stool becomes metallic or unpleasant, and many dogs stop eating it.
A practical amount is about:
1/8 teaspoon sprinkled on food daily
Use it for a few days to one week.
Most dogs who respond will respond quickly.
Again, this is not something I would use long term. But if your dog is eating her own stool, it can be a reasonable short-term tool.
Other Simple Steps That Help
Do not overlook the basics.
- Pick up stool quickly.
- Keep the yard clean.
- Walk your dog after meals.
- Feed a higher quality diet.
- Add more protein if the diet is too high in carbs.
- Increase exercise and mental stimulation.
- Do not punish your dog after the fact.
Punishment usually does not help.
It may just make your dog sneakier.
And trust me, dogs can be very committed to their hobbies.
My Takeaway
Poop eating is common, but that does not mean you have to live with it forever.
Start with the simple things:
- Improve nutrition.
- Add a complete vitamin and mineral supplement.
- Try digestive enzymes.
- Pick up stool quickly.
If needed, use the short-term taste-deterrent approach.
For many dogs, one of these options can make a real difference.
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P.S. If your dog suddenly starts eating poop, especially with diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, or increased appetite, get her checked for parasites or digestive disease.
P.P.S. If I had to start somewhere, I would begin with better nutrition, a good complete supplement, and digestive enzymes. Those are safe, simple, and can help the gut do what it is supposed to do.
Thank you!!!!!!