Why Do Some Dogs Eat Poop — and How Do You Get Them to Stop?

You know that moment. You're having a great day at the dog park, your furry buddy is running around having the time of their life, and then... CRUNCH. Your sweet, lovable dog just grabbed a pile of poop like it was a gourmet snack.

Your stomach flips, other dog owners stare, and you're left wondering: "What is WRONG with my dog?!"

Take a deep breath. You're not alone, and your dog isn't weird or broken. Believe it or not, poop eating (called coprophagia by vets) happens to about 1 out of every 6 dogs. That's millions of dogs around the world who think poop is perfectly fine dining.

The good news? This gross habit can be stopped. You just need to know why it happens and what really works to fix it. Let's dive in and solve this stinky problem once and for all.

Why Dogs Think Poop is a Tasty Treat

Before you can stop this behavior, you need to understand why dogs do it in the first place. Here are the main reasons vets see every day:

They Learned it From Mom

When puppies are tiny babies, their moms lick them clean after they poop. This keeps the puppies healthy and teaches them about staying clean. Some puppies watch mom do this and think, "Hey, that looks normal!" They start copying her and never stop.

This happens a lot in homes with multiple dogs. One dog sees another eating poop and thinks, "If Buddy does it, it must be okay!" Dogs are great at copying each other.

Their Food Isn't Good Enough

Think about it like this: if you ate junk food every day, your body would crave real nutrients. Dogs work the same way. When their food is cheap or hard to digest, their body tells them to find nutrients somewhere else.

Poop still has some undigested food in it. To a hungry dog with poor nutrition, that poop smells like a second chance at getting the good stuff their regular food is missing.

They're Bored or Stressed Out

Dogs need things to do with their brains and bodies. When they don't get enough exercise, playtime, or mental challenges, they look for entertainment anywhere they can find it. Unfortunately, sometimes that entertainment is eating poop.

Some dogs also figure out that eating poop gets a HUGE reaction from their humans. They might not understand that you're upset — they just know you suddenly pay lots of attention to them. To a lonely dog, even negative attention feels good.

They're Scared of Getting in Trouble

If your dog was yelled at or punished for having accidents in the house, they might eat their poop to hide the evidence. In their mind, they're thinking, "If I clean this up, maybe mom or dad won't be mad at me."

This is super common when people use harsh methods to house train their dogs. The dog learns that poop = trouble, so they try to make the poop disappear.

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop

Now for the part you really want to know — how to make this gross behavior stop! Here are the methods that actually work:

Clean Up Poop Right Away

This is the number one rule, and it's simple: no poop available = no poop eating. Whether you're in your backyard, on a walk, or dealing with an indoor accident, clean it up fast.

Yes, it means you have to pay more attention and carry poop bags everywhere. But if your dog never gets the chance to eat poop, they'll forget about the habit.

Feed Your Dog Better Food

Good food makes less tempting poop. When dogs can digest their food properly, their poop doesn't smell like leftover dinner.

Look for dog food that has:

• Real meat as the first ingredient (not "meat by-products")
• No cheap fillers like corn or wheat
• Probiotics or digestive enzymes to help their stomach work better

Better food costs more upfront, but it can solve the poop-eating problem completely.

Try a Poop Deterrent

Some special products make poop taste terrible to dogs. You sprinkle them on your dog's food, and when they poop later, it tastes awful.

Ask your vet about safe options like:

• For-Bid powder
• NaturVet Coprophagia tablets
• Solid Gold Stop Eating Poop chews

These work for many dogs, but not all. It's worth trying if other methods aren't working.

Teach a Strong "Leave It" Command

You need a way to stop your dog when they're heading toward poop. The "leave it" command is perfect for this.

Here's how to teach it:

1. Hold a treat in your closed hand
2. Let your dog sniff but don't let them have it
3. When they stop trying and look at you, say "YES!" and give them a different treat
4. Practice this every day until they understand
5. Start using it when you see poop on walks

When your dog listens and walks away from poop, celebrate like they just won a prize! This builds a good habit.

Keep Your Dog Busy and Happy

A tired, mentally stimulated dog doesn't have time to think about eating poop. Make sure your dog gets:

• Daily walks or runs
• Playtime with toys
• Puzzle feeders that make them work for food
• Training sessions (even 5 minutes counts!)
• Social time with other dogs

When dogs are busy and content, they're less likely to look for gross entertainment.

Never Punish Your Dog

Yelling, hitting, or punishing your dog for eating poop will make the problem worse, not better. Dogs don't understand punishment that happens after they've done something. They just get scared and confused.

Instead, focus on preventing the behavior and rewarding good choices. Stay calm, clean up the mess, and work on training.

When You Should Call Your Vet

Sometimes poop eating means there's a health problem. Call your vet if:

• Your dog suddenly starts eating poop when they never did before
• They're eating other animals' poop regularly
• Nothing you try seems to help
• Your dog seems sick or is losing weight

Health issues like parasites, diabetes, or digestive problems can cause poop eating. Your vet can run tests to make sure everything is okay.

You Can Fix This Gross Habit

Here's the truth: poop eating is disgusting to us, but it's pretty normal for dogs. It doesn't mean you're a bad dog parent or that your dog has serious problems.

Most dogs stop this behavior when you use the right approach. The key is being patient and consistent. Don't expect changes overnight — it might take a few weeks or even months.

Remember these important points:

• Clean up poop immediately so your dog can't reach it
• Feed high-quality food that digests well
• Keep your dog busy with exercise and mental activities
• Train a solid "leave it" command for emergencies
• Stay calm and never punish your dog

With time and effort, you can enjoy walks and playtime without worrying about your dog's next gross snack. Your dog can learn better habits, and you can stop feeling embarrassed at the dog park.

Be patient with yourself and your dog. This problem can be solved, and soon you'll have many more happy memories together — without any poop eating involved!