Why Is My Dog Eating Poop? 6 Reasons and How to Stop It

This pet health content "Why is My Dog Eating Poop" was reviewed for accuracy by a veterinarian, Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. It was last reviewed and updated on March 12, 2026

If you are asking why is my dog eating poop, you are not alone. Coprophagia is one of the most common behaviors dog owners report, and it is almost always manageable once you identify the cause.

Some triggers are medical. Others are behavioral. A few are completely instinctual.

What Is Coprophagia in Dogs?

Coprophagia is the technical term for eating feces, whether a dog’s own or that of another animal. It sounds alarming, but it is a recognized behavior that veterinarians and animal behaviorists encounter regularly. According to research by Dr. Benjamin Hart at the University of California, Davis, presented at the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior annual conference, roughly one in six dogs engages in the behavior frequently, and around one in four has done it at least once.

It is more common in puppies and young dogs, and many dogs grow out of it on their own. But for others, the behavior persists into adulthood and becomes a genuine management challenge. In most of those cases, there is a specific underlying reason that, once identified, points directly to the solution. A few things worth knowing upfront:

• Coprophagia is rarely dangerous to the dog: though it can expose them to parasites and bacteria, particularly if they are eating the feces of other animals
• It is almost never done out of spite: dogs do not think that way. There is always a reason rooted in instinct, need, or learned behavior
• Punishment alone does not work: shouting at a dog for eating poop without addressing the underlying cause almost never resolves it and can increase stress, which may make the behavior worse
• Most cases are manageable: once you identify the cause, the path to stopping it is usually straightforward

6 Reasons Your Dog Is Eating Poop

1. Poor Diet or Nutritional Deficiency

One of the most common medical explanations for coprophagia is that a dog is not getting adequate nutrition from their food. When a dog's diet is missing key nutrients, their body registers the deficiency and, driven by instinct, the dog may seek to compensate by consuming feces, which can contain partially digested nutrients.

This is particularly relevant if the behavior started suddenly or if you have recently changed your dog's food. Dogs at different life stages have significantly different nutritional requirements. A puppy fed adult food, a senior dog still on a standard adult formula, or any dog on a low-quality diet may be at higher risk. Signs this may be the cause: The behavior started after a food change Your dog seems hungry shortly after eating

• Your dog is eating the poop of other animals rather than their own, which may indicate they are seeking specific nutrients
• Your dog's coat, energy levels, or weight seem off

How to stop it: Talk to your vet about whether your dog’s current food is meeting their nutritional needs for their age, size, and health status. Switching to a higher-quality food or adding a veterinarian-recommended supplement is often enough to resolve the behavior. Our guide to choosing the best dog food walks through what to look for when evaluating your dog's diet

Two specific medical conditions are worth knowing about here. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes, meaning a dog cannot properly absorb the nutrients in their food even when eating a good diet. Dogs with EPI are often ravenously hungry despite eating normal or large portions, and coprophagia is a recognized symptom. Similarly, a broader digestive enzyme deficiency can impair nutrient absorption without a full EPI diagnosis. If your dog seems perpetually hungry, is losing weight despite eating well, or has chronic loose stools alongside poop eating, ask your vet specifically about EPI and enzyme absorption. Both conditions are diagnosable with bloodwork and highly manageable once identified.

2. Intestinal Parasites

Parasites such as tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms leach nutrients directly from your dog's gut. A dog with a heavy parasite burden may eat feces instinctively in an attempt to replace what is being taken from him.

This is worth considering if your dog has not been recently dewormed, has spent time in kennels or dog parks, or has been around other dogs of unknown health status. Signs this may be the cause:

• Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite.
• Visible worm segments or rice-like pieces near the tail or in feces.
• Scooting, diarrhea, or a pot-bellied appearance in puppies.

How to stop it: Ask your vet for a fecal exam. If parasites are confirmed, treatment is straightforward. It is important not to leave parasites untreated. See our overview of heartworm prevention and symptoms in dogs for more on why keeping up with parasite prevention matters.

In this video, Dr. Stephen Brammeier of Kingsbury Animal Hospital offers some additional explanations and solutions:

3. Stress, Boredom, or Anxiety

Dogs are social animals that need daily interaction, exercise, and mental stimulation. When those needs are not being met, they find outlets. Some dogs bark. Some chew furniture. Some develop the habit of eating poop.

This is particularly common in dogs that spend long stretches of time alone, dogs kept primarily outdoors without adequate company, and dogs whose exercise and enrichment needs are not being met. It can also develop in dogs experiencing anxiety related to changes in the household, like a new baby, a move, or the loss of a companion animal.

There is also a fear-related variant worth knowing about. Dogs that have been harshly punished for indoor accidents sometimes learn to eat their feces to hide the evidence and avoid punishment. If this pattern is driving the behavior, increasing punishment will make it worse, not better. The solution is to remove the fear association entirely by responding to accidents calmly, cleaning up without drama, and reinforcing outdoor elimination positively. Signs this may be the cause:

• The behavior is worse on days with less exercise or activity
• Your dog spends significant time alone each day
• The behavior started around a major household change
• Your dog also shows other signs of boredom or anxiety, like excessive barking, destructive chewing, or restlessness

How to stop it: Increase your dog's daily exercise, structured play, and mental enrichment. Even small changes, like an extra walk, a puzzle feeder at mealtimes, or a training session, can reduce the underlying anxiety that drives the behavior. Our guide to calming an energetic dog covers practical strategies for dogs who need more structured outlets for their energy.

4. Learned or Attention-Seeking Behavior

Dogs that have been scolded or strongly reacted to when eating poop sometimes repeat the behavior because of the response it generates. From the dog's perspective, negative attention is still attention.

This is especially common in dogs who are otherwise understimulated and have figured out that certain behaviors produce an immediate reaction from their owner. Signs this may be the cause: Your dog watches you while doing it.

• The behavior is more frequent when you are present than when you are away.
• Your dog has a pattern of performing "naughty" behaviors to get a reaction.

How to stop it: React as calmly and neutrally as possible. Call your dog to you in a cheerful tone, redirect him to a different activity, and reward the alternative behavior. Yelling or chasing tends to reinforce the pattern rather than break it.

5. Mothering Instinct

Mother dogs routinely eat the feces of their newborn puppies. This is entirely normal instinctual behavior.

In the wild, eliminating waste near the den attracts predators. Eating it removes the scent. Your living room is not a wolf den, but the instinct does not know that.

This behavior is largely self-limiting and typically fades as puppies grow older and become more mobile.

How to stop it: Keep the whelping area clean by removing feces promptly and frequently. This reduces the stimulus without requiring you to fight the instinct directly. Punishing a nursing mother for this behavior is counterproductive and stressful for both her and the puppies.

6. Scavenging Opportunity

Some dogs eat poop simply because it is there and accessible. Cat feces in particular is highly attractive. It is protein-rich and has a strong smell that many dogs find appealing. A litter box left in an accessible location is essentially an open invitation.

A yard that is not cleaned frequently provides the same problem. Dogs that are food-motivated or naturally prone to scavenging will take every opportunity. How to stop it:

• Clean the yard daily or as frequently as possible.
• Move the litter box somewhere your dog cannot access it.
• Options include behind a baby gate, inside a room with a cat door, or on an elevated surface.

Supervision and management are more effective for this cause than correction after the fact.

When Should You Call the Vet?

Quick Summary: 6 Reasons Dogs Eat Poop

• Poor diet or nutritional gaps: Upgrade food quality. Consult your vet.
• Intestinal parasites: Fecal exam and deworming treatment.
• Stress, boredom, or anxiety: More exercise, enrichment, and consistent routine.
• Learned attention-seeking: Calm redirection. Stop reinforcing with reactions.
• Mothering instinct: Keep whelping area clean. Behavior self-resolves.
• Scavenging opportunity: Remove access to litter boxes. Clean the yard regularly.

The Truth About Coprophagia: It Gets Better

Coprophagia is frustrating, but it is rarely a permanent problem. If you have been wondering why is my dog eating poop, identifying the cause points directly to the fix. That might mean a better diet, a vet visit for parasites, more daily exercise, or simply cleaning up the yard more often.

If the behavior is new, persistent, or paired with any physical symptoms, do not wait it out. A single vet appointment can rule out the medical causes and give you a clear path forward.

The most important thing is to address the root cause rather than just reacting to the behavior. Your dog is not doing this to be gross. He is doing it for a reason, and that reason is solvable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

References

• VCA Hospitals. "Dog Behavior Problems: Coprophagia." https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-problems-coprophagia
• Merck Veterinary Manual — Behavior Problems (Professional) Merck Veterinary Manual. "Behavior Problems of Dogs." https://www.merckvetmanual.com/behavior/behavior-of-dogs/behavior-problems-of-dogs
• Hart, B.L., Hart, L.A., Thigpen, A.P., Tran, A., & Bain, M.J. (2018). "The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy." Veterinary Medicine and Science, 4(2), 106–114. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29851313/