Let’s get this out of the way. Yes, your dog eats poop. No, you are not a bad owner. And no, your dog is not broken.
Coprophagia, the scientific term for poop eating, is one of the most common and most disgusting habits dogs have. But it is far more normal than you think, and in most cases, it is fixable.
Dogs eat poop, a behavior called coprophagia, for reasons ranging from instinct and hunger to boredom, anxiety, or nutritional gaps. About 16% of dogs are habitual poop eaters, and another 24% have done it at least once. While it is unpleasant, it is usually not a sign of a serious problem. In most cases it can be addressed with a few targeted changes.
How Common Is This?
Very. A study from the University of California, Davis found that about 16% of dogs are “serious” poop eaters, meaning they have been caught doing it at least five times. Another 24% have been caught at least once.
That means roughly 1 in 4 dogs has eaten poop at some point. You are not alone in this.
Why Dogs Eat Poop
It Is Instinct (The Most Likely Reason)
This is the explanation best supported by research. Dogs are natural scavengers, and eating poop is deeply wired into their biology. Mother dogs eat their puppies’ poop for the first few weeks of life to keep the den clean and protect the litter from predators. Puppies sometimes pick up this behavior by watching their mother.
The UC Davis study found that poop eaters were no more likely to be difficult to housetrain or have dietary deficiencies, suggesting the behavior is more about instinct than anything being “wrong” with the dog. Most puppies grow out of it. Some simply do not.
They Are Hungry or Nutrient Deficient
In some cases, a dog that is not getting enough food or whose diet is missing something might turn to poop as a supplement. This is possible but uncommon unless there is an underlying medical issue.
It can also happen with certain medical conditions that affect nutrient absorption, like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) or intestinal parasites. If your dog is eating poop AND losing weight, see your vet.
It Tastes Good (To Them)
Cat poop is basically a dog delicacy. If you have a cat, your dog has almost certainly raided the litter box. Cat food is higher in protein and fat than dog food, which means cat poop smells and tastes richer to dogs.
Other animal poop, like rabbit, deer, or goose droppings, can also be appealing. Your dog is not being disgusting on purpose. They are following their nose.
They Are Bored
Boredom can contribute to poop eating in some dogs. Dogs that are left alone for long stretches with nothing to do sometimes pick it up as a habit. It starts as exploration and becomes routine.
More exercise, more mental stimulation, and more interaction can help reduce this behavior.
They Learned It from Being Punished
Past punishment can contribute to this behavior. Dogs that were punished for having accidents indoors sometimes learn to eat the evidence. They are not being sneaky. They are stressed and trying to avoid getting in trouble.
If your dog was previously in a situation where they were punished for pooping, this could be a factor.
They Want Attention
Attention-seeking can also contribute. Even negative attention is attention. If your dog learned that eating poop makes you run over screaming, some dogs will keep doing it because the reaction is exciting.
Medical Reasons
Several medical conditions can cause or increase poop eating:
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
- Parasites
- Malabsorption disorders
- Medications that increase appetite (like steroids)
If the behavior is new, sudden, or accompanied by other symptoms, a vet visit is the right first step.
How to Stop It
Clean Up Immediately
The simplest solution. If there is no poop to eat, the problem is solved. Pick up after your dog right away on walks and keep your yard clean.
Improve Their Diet
A high-quality, complete diet reduces the likelihood of nutrient-seeking poop eating. If you are unsure about your dog’s food, talk to your vet about whether a change might help.
Some owners add digestive enzymes or probiotics to their dog’s food with the idea of improving nutrient absorption. Evidence for this is mixed, but it is safe to try and some owners report improvement.
One of the first additions we made was Nutramax Proviable-DC, since an imbalanced gut microbiome is one of the proposed contributors to coprophagia and giving beneficial bacteria a foothold can reduce some of the drive to seek out alternative sources.
The Daily Dog earns commissions from qualifying purchases through affiliate links. We only recommend products we have personally used with Hazel or Kaia and clearly note what has helped them.
Making sure your dog is getting proper nutrition from their food is one of the best ways to reduce this behavior. Check out our complete feeding guide to learn more about choosing the right food and portions for your pup.
Add a Deterrent
There are products you can add to your dog’s food that make their poop taste bad. Yes, worse than it already tastes. These work for some dogs and not others.
Pineapple is a popular home remedy. The theory is that enzymes in pineapple change the taste of poop after digestion, though this has not been scientifically studied. Results are anecdotal and vary, but it is safe to try.
Train “Leave It”
A “leave it” command can help in the moment, though research suggests it works for only a small percentage of dogs. Your most reliable tool is simply picking up poop before your dog gets to it. That said, “leave it” is still worth teaching. Practice with treats first, then gradually apply it to real-world situations. When your dog ignores poop on command, reward them generously.
Block Access to the Litter Box
If cat poop is the issue, move the litter box somewhere your dog cannot reach. A baby gate, a covered litter box, or placing it on a raised surface works for most dogs.
Do Not Punish
Punishment does not fix this. It usually makes it worse. Yelling at your dog for eating poop can increase their stress, which can increase the behavior.
Stay calm, redirect, reward the behavior you want.
More Exercise and Enrichment
A tired, mentally stimulated dog is less likely to eat poop out of boredom. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, and longer walks can make a real difference.
When to See the Vet
Make an appointment if:
- The behavior is new and sudden
- Your dog is losing weight
- You notice changes in appetite, energy, or stool quality
- Your dog eats poop from unknown animals (this significantly increases the risk of picking up parasites)
- Nothing you have tried is working
Your vet can run blood work, check for parasites, and rule out medical causes.
The Bottom Line
Your dog eating poop is gross but normal. It does not mean they are sick, poorly trained, or lacking something. For most dogs, it is a combination of instinct, opportunity, and bad taste in snacks.
The single most effective strategy is prevention: clean up quickly so the opportunity never arises. Improve the diet if needed, work on “leave it,” and do not make a big deal out of it. Most dogs reduce or stop the behavior with consistent management.
And maybe hold off on the face kisses for a while.
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Samantha Tilton
I catch the things that are easy to miss. The small changes, the quiet signs, the details hiding in plain sight. I co-founded The Daily Dog because the best thing you can do for your dog is pay attention, and I write to help you know what to pay attention to.
