We’ve all asked the question, incredulously, as we watch as our faithful friends stare us in the eye as they revisit last night’s dinner – but why do dogs actually eat their own poop, and is there anything we can do about it?
Here, we’ll explain why dogs are drawn to their own dung, and what you can do to try and stop it. It might be natural to them, but when they’re breathing on you afterwards with “foul” breath, it’s not exactly pleasant for us…
Why do dogs eat their own poo (and other animals’ poo)?
It might be a stomach-churning sight for us to witness, but many dogs like to eat poo – either their own or another dog’s. Supposedly, it’s behaviour seen in a quarter of all domesticated dogs, according to a study of over 1,500 dogs. There is a common misconception around this behaviour – known as coprophagia – that dogs do it because they have a nutritional deficiency. It turns out, this isn’t actually the case. It’s more likely that they actually just enjoy the taste, as disgusting as that sounds.
They might also eat their own poop because they need to eat more than you’re currently feeding them – or if the gaps between their meals is too long. If this is the case, chat to your vet about how much your dog is eating and how often, based on their weight, age and exercise.
They might also get some nutritional value from undigested foods within the poop. Their senses are much more acute than ours, so they might be able to detect undigested nutrients in the stool.
A dog’s behaviour is often an indicator of their mental stimulation. They might be eating faeces out of boredom, so keep your dog as mentally stimulated as possible.
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Is it common for dogs to eat poo?
A study of over 1,500 dogs found that 23 per cent of dogs were spotted eating poo at least once in their lifetime, with 16 per cent of dogs described as “frequent stool eaters”.
The dogs that were most commonly found to eat their own poo were:
- Described as greedy by their owners
- Living with other dogs
- A terrier or a hound (Shetland sheepdogs – a herding dog breed – were the most common dogs, while poodles (one of the best family dog breeds) were the least common)
Is it dangerous for dogs to eat poop?
While it’s often harmless – particularly with their own faeces, it’s best to avoid your dogs eating the stool of other animals.
There are some forms of livestock manure that might contain worming medication or infections and parasites that could be dangerous for your dog, so it’s best to try and avoid your dogs eating poop.
As with any new habits, it’s worth noticing if your dog starts eating poo for the first time, having never previously shown an interest. If this is the case, consider taking your dog to the vet for a check-up.
How to stop your dog eating its own poo
If you’re looking to deter your dog from eating its own poop, consider trying the following steps:
- Ensure your dog is fully housetrained and your home is free of dog poop
- Check your garden before your dog goes out, and clean up any poo
- Pick up poo as soon as your dog… produces it! And stick it straight in a dog poo bag
- Don’t make a big fuss if your dog looks like it might eat poo (or if they just have done). This excitement can actually encourage them, particularly if it’s repeated behaviour. You don’t want to encourage a habit!
- Train your dog to “leave it” or “drop it”. This is generally a great training tool for dogs, because you want them to be able to drop anything they might have in their mouth at any point – whether it’s a ball or a bit of food that might harm them
- Train your dog in good recall. If a dog is able to drop what they’re doing and come to you easily, this will help make this process a lot smoother. Try using a dog whistle in training practice
- If you’re looking to buck the habit, keep them on a lead during dog walks – or even use a basket-style muzzle to help deter them (while still allowing your dog to pant)
- Distract your dog by giving them something else to focus on, like throwing balls or toys (try a dog ball thrower if you want to tire them out, without tiring yourself out!)
- Feed them regularly, with a diet that fills them up. Always speak to a vet before changing your dog’s diet
- Encourage your dog with praise and dog treats if it resists eating its own poop
If you’re unable to stop your dog from eating the faeces of other animals, try and encourage them to drink water afterwards to rinse out their mouths – and don’t let them lick you. Always wash your hands thoroughly if you’re in contact with your dog’s mouth. You can also give them a dental stick to chew on.
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How to stop your dog eating cat poop
Dogs are a big fan of cat poo, so if you have a cat as well, keep its litter tray well out of reach for your dog. In homes with cats and dogs, any shift in litter tray positioning can encourage dogs to eat cat poo, so bear that in mind if you’re moving the litter tray to a new area of the home.
Clean the cats’ litter tray as often as you can and place it in an area of the house with a small space that only your cat can get into.
Some litter boxes come with lids, so that might be a good investment. Otherwise, you could place a cardboard box over the litter tray, and cut a hole in it that’s small enough for your cat but too small for your dog.
If none of this is possible, you could install a stair gate with a cat flap fitted into it, and keep the litter tray on a different floor of the house to the dog.
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Top image: credit: Getty Images
