It is one of the least glamorous things our dogs do, and one of the most common questions we hear at the salon: why on earth does my dog eat poo? If you have caught your dog tucking into their own droppings, another dog's, or a horse or rabbit's out on a walk, please do not panic and please do not feel your dog is broken or badly behaved. The habit even has a proper name, coprophagia, and it is surprisingly normal in dogs. In most cases it is a behaviour we can understand and gently manage.
Let's walk through the honest reasons behind it, the health checks worth doing, and the practical ways to put a stop to it.
It is often a normal, natural instinct
Before we blame ourselves, it helps to know that poo-eating is partly hardwired. Mother dogs clean up after their puppies by eating their droppings to keep the den tidy and safe, so pups grow up seeing it as ordinary. Many puppies go through a poo-eating phase and simply grow out of it. Dogs are also natural scavengers, and to a dog the smell of certain droppings (horse, rabbit, cow) can be genuinely appealing rather than revolting. It is a bit grim to us, but to them it is just foraging.
Boredom, stress and attention
Behaviour plays a big part too. A dog who is under-stimulated, left alone too long, or feeling anxious may eat poo simply because there is nothing better to do. Some dogs learn that it gets a big reaction from us (a shriek, a chase across the garden), and to an attention-seeking dog even a telling-off can feel like a reward. Dogs who have been punished for toileting accidents sometimes eat the evidence to avoid getting into trouble, which is why calm house-training always beats scolding.
Diet and hunger
Sometimes the answer is on the plate. A dog on a poor-quality or poorly-absorbed diet may still feel hungry, or may not be getting everything they need, and poo can seem like a top-up. Dogs fed one large meal a day, or those on very low-calorie plans, can be genuinely peckish between meals. If your dog eats their own droppings specifically, it is sometimes because undigested nutrients are passing straight through.
When eating poo is a health worry
Now the honest, careful bit. Sometimes coprophagia points to something medical, and this is when a vet check matters:
- Parasites or worms stealing nutrients, leaving your dog hungry or deficient.
- Poor absorption conditions, such as pancreatic or digestive problems, meaning food is not being used properly.
- A sudden increase in appetite or eating anything and everything, which can signal issues like diabetes, thyroid trouble or certain medications.
- A sudden new habit in an older dog who never did it before.
Vet note: If poo-eating appears out of nowhere, comes with weight loss, a big change in appetite, a dull coat or an upset tummy, please book a vet check before trying to train it away. There may be an underlying cause worth treating first. This is friendly guidance, not veterinary advice, so your own vet is the right person to examine and diagnose.
Eating other animals' droppings also carries a real risk of picking up worms and other bugs, so keeping worming up to date (as your vet advises) matters if your dog is a committed scavenger. The RSPCA's dog health guidance is a sensible starting point for routine health checks.
How to stop it: deterrents that actually help
Once your vet has ruled out a medical cause, most poo-eating responds well to management rather than telling-off:
- Clean up fast. The simplest fix by far. Poop-scoop the garden immediately and pick up on walks so there is nothing to eat.
- Keep walks moving. Reward your dog for coming away and keep the pace up past tempting horse or rabbit droppings. A rock-solid "leave it" and "come" are worth their weight in gold.
- Feed a good, complete diet in appropriate meals, and ask your vet whether splitting food into two servings suits your dog better.
- Beat boredom. More sniffy walks, puzzle feeders, chews and training games give that scavenging brain a proper job.
- Do not make a fuss. Calmly redirect rather than chasing or shouting, so the habit does not become an attention game.
- Commercial deterrents (powders added to food to make droppings taste unpleasant) work for some dogs, though they only help with your dog's own poo. Check with your vet before using one.
If your dog is fixated on it despite all this, or seems anxious more generally, a qualified behaviourist through the APBC or ABTC can help you get to the root of it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dog eat poo all of a sudden?
A brand-new habit is worth a vet check, as it can point to worms, a change in appetite or a digestive issue. Once health is ruled out, look at diet, boredom and whether it has become an attention game.
Is it dangerous for my dog to eat poo?
Their own poo is fairly low-risk, but eating other animals' droppings can pass on worms and bugs, so keep worming up to date. If your dog seems unwell afterwards, ring your vet.
Does my dog eat poo because of their diet?
Sometimes. A poor-quality or poorly-absorbed diet, or genuine hunger between meals, can drive it. A complete, good-quality food and sensible meal timing often help, so chat to your vet about what suits your dog.
Will my puppy grow out of eating poo?
Very often, yes. Many puppies try it and stop by adulthood, especially with quick clean-ups and no dramatic reactions. If it continues into adulthood, follow the steps above and check in with your vet.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. A grooming session is also a chance to spot a dull coat or condition change that can go hand in hand with tummy trouble. Book a coat and skin check groom.