Why does my dog eat his own poop?

Coprophagia is the name of the condition that compels dogs to eat feces. Why does the dog engage in this habit? A dog may ingest fecal matter for various reasons:

• He may be hungry and has no access to real food.


• You may be feeding a food lacking in sufficient nutrients and/or not appropriate for your particular dog.


• When dogs consume feces from other animals, they may be seeking minerals lacking in their regular dog food.


• The dog may be consuming feces out of boredom, loneliness, anxiety or stress.


• A dog who is confined to a kennel, chained, or restricted to a small yard or other space may eat his feces to occupy himself or clean his personal space. This dog needs to be exercised and played with several times a day.


• Some breeds instinctively like to carry things in their mouths. Picking up feces and carrying it around may signal that the dog needs more daily exercise, mental stimulation and interaction with his people.


• The emotional stress of being left alone or restricted to a small area for long periods of time without the companionship of the caregiver can result, for some dogs, in the eating of his own feces.


• A yard or kennel where stools are allowed to pile up may prompt a dog to 'clean up' his stools. Be sure to clean the dog's area every day, and preferably right after the dog eliminates.

Here are some safe, inexpensive ways to help solve the problem:

• Take the dog to your veterinarian for an examination for underlying medical and health problems, parasites and other problems that may be compelling him to eat feces. (it is best to start with an examination so you don't miss any underlying illness.)


• Change the dog's diet. Buy or prepare only nutritious, quality food that is formulated for the dog's age, breed and any medical issues.


• For the dog who may be hungry, try feeding him a little more, and make sure you feed a quality, nutritious food that is appropriate for the age and type of canine.


• Clean up after your pet, right after he goes - before he has a chance to eat his poop. Stopping access is one key to stopping this habit.


• There are products that you can apply to the stools that will discourage your dog from consuming them. Some are available from pet supply stores and others from veterinarians.

Some alternatives to drugs that work for some:

• Add two to four tablespoons of canned pumpkin to the food bowl each day. Pumpkin apparently tastes good in food, but repugnant when expelled in excrement.


• Add a spoon (teaspoon or tablespoon depending on the dog's size) of canned pineapple, pineapple juice or spinach to the dog's food.


• Add some meat tenderizer or MSG to the dog's food.


• Coat stools, following elimination, with hot sauce or lemon juice. Or booby trap sample stools by penetrating some left in the yard with hot sauce.