Dogs are all cute until they start eating their poop, which is quite disgusting.
Do you have a dog that eats his own poop?
And do you often question that why he does that?
Well, you are not alone in that because many dog owners face this issue. This article will cover why dogs eat poop and what you should do about it.
Coprophagia – Poop Eating
When your dog is eating poop, it’s not a disease, but there can be some underlying trouble behind that. The phenomenon of poop eating, whether it’s your dog’s or some other animal, is termed Coprophagia.
And that is because of both physiological and behavioral reasons. So, let’s discuss all of those reasons in detail.
Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?
We have tried to lay out all the causes behind the dogs poop eating issue.
Remember that in adult dogs, poop eating is more common than in young puppies. Some adult dogs tend to eat their own poop, while some of the dogs prefer eating the poop of other animals as well. This varies breed per breed.
10 Reasons Why Do Dogs Eat Poop
Dogs are curious animals, and they love to sniff and smell literally everything they pass on.
There are infinite reasons why your dog eats poop or pee, and it’s hard to find the root of the problem. They can start eating poop because of boredom, or diet deficiencies, or any XYZ reason.
Again, this varies breed per breed.
However, we have listed down the 10 most popular and possible reasons behind their poop-eating problem. So here you go:
1. To Seek Attention
Your dog might be eating poop as a game in the beginning. But when you see your dog doing that nasty activity, you must rush towards him to stop it.
And your dog has developed this habit of making you attentive, and lowkey enjoys this because probably you don’t spend that much time with your pet.
So, attention-seeking is the topmost cause why your dog is eating poop.
2. Poops Tastes/Smells Better Than Food
We, humans, hate the smell of poop, but most of the dogs do not. They like poop’s smell, whether it’s other animals or theirs, and they lowkey love the taste of it as well.
Now, there can be multiple reasons behind this weird habit. One can be because of the food you give your dog to eat. You might be giving your pooch stale or the same food every day.
So, for a change, he/she develops the habit of poop eating.
Related: How To Get Rid Of Dog Smell?
3. Nursing Time
The purpose of eating stool is more significant than the taste and smell sometimes. Mostly the mother of young pups eats their stool to keep them and the den clean where she nurses them.
This habit is visualized by the newly-born pups and they also start eating their poop at a grown-up age.
4. Deficiency of Digestive Enzymes
The presence of digestive enzymes in dogs is super essential for the proper functioning of the digestive system. And when you give your dog only canned or processed foods, he is unable to digest them because the presence of natural digestive enzymes in his body is not enough.
So, your dog’s stool will be an amalgamation of highly undigested food, which will cause a low blow in his health and invite poop eating.
5. Parasites
Are you aware of the intestinal worms that are also present in humans?
The concept here is the same as us: the food your dog eats gets consumed by the worms present in his body. And in a result, he feels hungry, weak, and less energetic. So, to cope with this, he starts eating poop.
This is a highly possible reason behind poop eating if you’ve a skinny pet.
6. Diseases Induce Poop Eating
Several diseases induce poop eating in dogs.
You must be thinking about how that is possible.
Well, a lot of diseases kill appetite, and many of them increase it by two folds. Such diseases include diabetes, thyroid problem, excess of steroids in the body, and Cushing’s disease (stress causing).
7. Cleanliness – OCD
Remember how our parents used to tell us that dogs clean the area where they sleep or reside.
Well, dogs’ OCD is real, guys, especially in female dogs.
In simple words, female dogs eat poop to clean the area for their pups. And that’s not limited to female dogs only; male dogs do the exact same.
8. Curiosity
Most dogs, especially puppies, touch and taste things out of curiosity.
So, poop eating can also be because of that, and they do that when there are no toys or objects to play with. And you know that exploration and adventure are what every animal likes and enjoys.
So count this reason as well in your puppy’s poop eating habit.
9. Stress/Anxiety
Poop eating is a very common behavior that gets triggered by anxiety or stress that either you are causing or the environment is creating for your dog. And anxiety can also be because of some physical pain or disease in your dog.
10. Boredom
Yes, dogs do get bored. And the fact is, they don’t have Instagram and YouTube subscriptions like us to cope up with boredom.
Your dog must be eating poop because he has no toys to play with or you are too busy for him.
So, poop becomes his toy that he touches, smells, and tastes. You better get your dog something better to play with; otherwise, he will keep doing that.
The idea is to improve their behavior so they never get bored off.
Related: 7 Steps To Potty Train Your Dog
What Should You do to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop?
Now that you have read the possible causes of dogs eating poop, you must be thinking about the action you need to take. Well, hang in there because we have got your back as we have listed all the possible ways to sort the poop-eating issue in dogs.
5 Sure-Shot Ways To Stop Dogs From Eating Poop
Before you read further, here’s a recommendation from our team. It’s important to visit your nearby vet if your dog/puppy shows medical issues after eating poop. Do not depend on online strategies if your beloved pet is in serious condition.
Having said that, let’s move on to the ways to stop your dog from eating poop:
1. Proper Hygiene
If you regularly clean the den of your dog, the poop eating activity will stop. Make sure that you give your dog a regular bath and keep his area, toys, and eating bowl clean.
Hygiene is the key to success, and the results of your effort will show in no time. A good owner always keeps his pet’s place hygienic in order to avoid any serious side-effects because of dirt and smell.
2. Yummy and Nutritious Food
Another thing you can do is to provide your dog with healthy, nutritious, and yummy food. So, that he never shifts his attention to eating poop and stays healthy.
Because in poop, there are so many germs that are not good for health.
Think about it yourself, why does a new born human baby always end up sucking his/her thumb?
3. Take Care of the Supplement Requirement
You also have to take care of the supplement requirement of your dog. Make sure that he is getting all the probiotics, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy body functioning.
Supplements do not mean that you have to give your dog a high dosage of steroids or drugs like that because that adds fuel to the fire. You can try apple cider vinegar and kelp to the diet. And try not to be repetitive with the food if you want quick results.
4. Keep Your Dog Busy in Fun Activities
You can try gifting your dog new toys and try spending more time with him.
Playing with your dog will work like magic because pets are hungry for love, care, and attention, just like children. And when you set a time in the day to play with them, they keep running around you and following you instead of eating poop or doing some other nasty activity.
5. Take Your Dog to the Vet for Parasites Screening
If all the tricks mentioned above don’t work, please take your dog to the veterinary specialist because he needs it.
The doctor will do some parasite screening tests, or he might do some other tests that can help your dog. You can then follow the instructions of the vet and give your dog medication to get done with their poop eating habit.
Related: How Often Should I Take My Dog To The Vet?
Why Do Puppies Eat Their Poop?
Well, many puppy owners are also concerned about their newly adopted puppy on poop eating issue.
Puppies are young and undeveloped as compared to adult dogs and their behavior and eating habits are also different.
Now the reasons behind puppy-eating poop can be the same as that of an adult dog but we have to be extra cautious while treating this bad habit in them.
So, here are 5 ways to stop young puppies from eating poop:
- Start their potty training early
- Create a housetraining schedule for them
- Teach them commands to ignore dirty things like poop, mud, etc.
- Reward and praise them for eating healthy food
- Never ever miss monthly, bi-monthly vet checkups
By following the above methods and techniques, your puppy will start developing the mindset that poop is not a good thing to consume and eventually start ignoring it.
Final Words
Here we would like to conclude our article about why do dogs eat poop and the possible measures to stop your dog from doing that.
We hope you understood the whole concept and you will take the necessary steps.
Please let us know in the comments section if your dog is also a creature who loves nasty poop and the steps you’re considering to tackle this issue.
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