Why Does My Dog Eat Poo? How to Stop Coprophagia

If your dog eats poo, you are not alone. It is one of those dog behaviour problems that makes owners panic, gag, Google things at speed, and wonder whether their dog has missed several important meetings about basic manners.

The proper name for eating poo is coprophagia. It can involve a dog eating their own poo, another dog’s poo, cat poo, fox poo, horse manure, sheep poo, rabbit droppings, cow pats, or pretty much anything they find on a walk that makes you question their life choices.

The good news is that dogs eating poo is usually manageable. The best solution depends on why your dog is doing it, what type of poo they are eating, and how strongly rehearsed the behaviour has become.

And yes, if your dog also likes licking your face, this is one of those moments where hygiene suddenly feels very relevant.

Quick Answer: Why Does My Dog Eat Poo?

Dogs usually eat poo because of habit, hunger, boredom, stress, curiosity, scavenging, learned behaviour, taste, gut issues, or simply because certain poo smells interesting to them. In puppies, it is especially common and often improves with age, supervision and better management.

If your dog suddenly starts eating poo when they never did before, or if they also have symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, increased hunger, poor coat condition or low energy, speak to your vet.

If your dog is otherwise well, the most useful first step is usually simple: prevent access, clean up quickly, supervise toileting, reward them for coming away, and give them better outlets for sniffing, searching and chewing.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Eat Poo?

It is common, especially in puppies. Common does not mean ideal, but it does mean you do not need to assume your dog is broken, naughty, filthy or plotting against you personally.

Mother dogs naturally clean up after young puppies. Puppies may then investigate or copy this behaviour. Some grow out of it as they mature, especially if owners prevent rehearsal and avoid accidentally turning it into an exciting game.

In adult dogs, poo eating can still happen for lots of reasons. Some dogs are opportunistic. Some are scavengers. Some are bored. Some are hungry. Some are stressed. Some simply find certain types of poo very appealing.

That last bit matters. Dogs do not necessarily view poo the way we do. Helpful? No. Reassuring? Slightly.

What Does the Research Say About Coprophagia in Dogs?

Research into coprophagia is still limited, but one useful study found that many dogs who ate poo seemed to prefer fresh stools rather than older ones. The same study did not find a simple link with diet, age, house training or compulsive behaviour, which is important because it reminds us not to assume one single cause.

In other words, “change the food” may help some dogs, but it is not the whole answer for every dog. The better question is:

• What type of poo is your dog eating?
• When does it happen?
• Where does it happen?
• How quickly do they seek it out?
• Can they come away from it?
• Has this started suddenly?
• Are there any health, stress, diet or routine changes?

That gives us a much better starting point than just muttering “why are you like this?” while reaching for another poo bag.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poo?

There is rarely one simple answer. Coprophagia is often a combination of biology, learning, opportunity and reinforcement.

1. Habit and Rehearsal

The more a dog practises eating poo, the more established the behaviour can become. This is why management matters so much. If your dog gets to eat poo every morning in the garden, every walk in the park, or every time another dog toilets, the habit is being reinforced.

Every successful repetition teaches the dog, “That worked. Do it again.”

2. Hunger or Food Motivation

Some dogs eat poo because they are hungry, greedy, underfed, going too long between meals, or highly motivated by food. This can be more noticeable in puppies, adolescent dogs, dogs on restricted diets, or dogs whose activity levels have recently increased.

If your dog seems constantly hungry, is losing weight, or has suddenly become much more food obsessed, speak to your vet.

3. Boredom, Stress or Anxiety

Some dogs eat poo because they are under-stimulated, stressed or looking for something to do. This can happen in gardens, kennels, multi-dog homes, or when puppies are left unsupervised for too long.

If a dog has very few appropriate outlets for sniffing, licking, chewing and searching, they may invent their own hobby. Sadly, their hobby choices are not always suitable for polite company.

This is where simple activities like scatter feeding can be useful. Scatter feeding gives dogs a safe way to sniff, search and forage, instead of turning the garden into a buffet with terrible hygiene standards.

4. Learned Behaviour

Puppies can learn by watching their mother, littermates or other dogs. If they grow up in an environment where poo eating happens regularly, it can become familiar and normal to them.

Dogs can also learn from us. If eating poo causes the human to run over, shout, panic, chase, grab or suddenly become wildly interesting, the behaviour can become part snack, part entertainment, part attention button.

5. Scavenging and Searching

Dogs are natural scavengers. Sniffing out interesting smells is a very normal part of being a dog. Some poo, especially from other species, may contain undigested material that smells appealing.

This is why some dogs seem quite selective. They may ignore one pile of poo and carefully choose another. I have known working-type dogs who appeared to pick through herbivore poo rather than randomly eat everything available. That does not mean we should encourage it, but it does show that the behaviour can be more purposeful than owners sometimes realise.

If your dog loves searching, scent games can give that same “find it” need a much safer outlet. Our guide to scent work for engagement off lead shows how simple find-it games can help keep your dog connected to you on walks.

6. Diet and Digestion

Diet can play a role for some dogs, especially if the dog is genuinely hungry, struggling with digestion, producing very soft stools, or not doing well on their current food. However, it is too simplistic to say all poo eating is caused by a missing nutrient.

A better approach is to look at the whole dog: appetite, stool quality, weight, coat condition, energy levels, food quality, feeding routine and any gut symptoms.

What Type of Poo Is Your Dog Eating?

This is one of the most useful questions to ask, because different types of poo can point to different motivations and different risks.

Dogs Eating Their Own Poo

This is common in puppies and can become a habit if they have repeated opportunities. It may happen after toileting in the garden, overnight, or when puppies are left unsupervised.

The priority is to supervise toileting, calmly guide them away as soon as they finish, reward them, then clean up before they can return to it.

Dogs Eating Other Dogs’ Poo

This may be opportunistic scavenging, but some dogs actively seek it out on walks. If your dog is scanning the environment for other dogs toileting, rushing over as soon as they finish, or ignoring recall around poo, you need a stronger management plan.

A 10m long line can help prevent rehearsal while you work on recall, disengagement and calmer walking around tempting areas.

Dogs Eating Cat Poo

Cat poo can be particularly appealing to dogs because cat food is often higher in protein and fat. If your dog raids the litter tray, management is usually the solution.

• Move the litter tray behind a baby gate.
• Use a covered or top-entry litter tray if your cat is comfortable with it.
• Keep the tray clean.
• Make sure your cat can access it easily, but your dog cannot.

Dogs Eating Fox Poo

Fox poo is a common problem on walks, especially because many dogs are fascinated by the smell. Some dogs eat it, some roll in it, and some like to combine both activities for maximum owner despair.

Use a long line in areas where fox poo is common, reward your dog for checking in with you, and practise moving away before they have fully committed to investigating it.

Dogs Eating Horse, Sheep, Rabbit or Cow Poo

Herbivore poo may contain undigested plant material, which can make it interesting to some dogs. Some dogs are selective and appear to seek out particular bits rather than eating randomly.

However, eating poo from livestock or horses is not risk-free. It may contain parasites, bacteria, or residues from worming medication. If your dog eats manure frequently, it is still worth discouraging and managing.

When Should You Speak to Your Vet?

Most poo eating is behavioural or habit-based, but health should always be considered, especially if the behaviour starts suddenly.

Speak to your vet if:

• Your dog has suddenly started eating poo and it is out of character.
• Your dog has diarrhoea, vomiting or frequent tummy upsets.
• Your dog is losing weight.
• Your dog seems constantly hungry.
• Your dog’s coat condition has changed.
• Your dog has low energy or seems unwell.
• Your dog is on medication that may increase appetite.
• Your dog only eats poo from one specific dog in the household.

The PDSA guide to coprophagia also recommends contacting your vet if poo eating starts suddenly or is very out of character.

How to Stop Your Dog Eating Poo

The goal is not to wait until your dog has a mouthful of poo and then try to negotiate. By then, the deal has usually been done.

Instead, set things up so your dog practises the behaviour less often and gets rewarded for better choices more often.

1. Stay Calm

Try not to shout, chase, panic or dive dramatically across the garden. Big reactions can make the whole event more exciting. Some dogs also learn to swallow faster when they see you coming.

Calm, quick prevention is much more useful than a full emotional performance. Even if the performance would win awards.

2. Supervise Toileting

For dogs who eat their own poo, supervision is essential. Take them out to toilet rather than just opening the back door and hoping for the best.

As soon as they finish, gently encourage them away and reward them. Then clean up immediately.

The pattern becomes:

• Toilet.
• Move away.
• Get rewarded.
• Human cleans up.

3. Use a Lead or Long Line

If your dog needs more freedom but you still need control, use a 10m long line attached to a well-fitted harness. This helps prevent rehearsal while still giving your dog space to sniff and move naturally.

This is especially useful for dogs who eat poo on walks, dogs who rush ahead to investigate, or puppies who need help building better habits.

4. Reward Moving Away

Do not wait until your dog is already eating poo. Reward earlier.

• Reward them for noticing poo and looking back at you.
• Reward them for moving away.
• Reward them for coming when called after toileting.
• Reward them for staying with you in tempting areas.

Use something genuinely worth leaving poo for. This is not the moment for a dry biscuit they only tolerate out of politeness. Have a look at our training treats if you need higher-value rewards.

5. Clean Up Quickly

This sounds obvious, but it is one of the most effective steps. If the poo is not available, your dog cannot eat it.

For garden toileting, go out with your dog and clean up immediately. For walks, calmly move your dog away from poo before they get close enough to grab it.

6. Avoid Turning It Into a Chase Game

If your dog grabs poo and then you chase them, you may accidentally create a brilliant game. From your dog’s perspective, they found a prize and activated the human. Excellent work all round.

Instead, practise prevention, long-line management and reward-based “come away” training before the dog has the item.

Is Your Dog Opportunistic or Actively Hunting for Poo?

This distinction is really useful.

Opportunistic Poo Eating

This is where the dog eats poo if they happen to find it, but they are not constantly searching for it. These dogs are often easier to manage with supervision, reward-based redirection and better routines.

High-Drive Poo Seeking

This is where the dog actively hunts for poo, scans the environment for it, waits for other dogs to toilet, ignores recall, and finds it difficult to disengage once they have scented it.

These cases need more structure. You may need long-line management, careful route choices, stronger reinforcement, enrichment outlets, diet review, health checks and a proper behaviour plan.

If your dog is actively seeking poo and you are struggling to manage it, our private dog training consultations in Essex and Hertfordshire can help you build a realistic plan.

Can Changing Food Stop Dogs Eating Poo?

Sometimes. But not always.

Diet can make a difference if your dog is hungry, poorly nourished, struggling with digestion, or producing stools that remain very appealing after passing. However, many dogs eat poo even when they are on a complete diet, so it is not always a simple nutrient deficiency.

I still think food quality matters. A good diet can support digestion, stool quality, energy levels and overall health. But it should sit alongside management and training rather than replacing them.

If you want help looking at food quality, start with our Dog Food Guide. If your dog seems constantly hungry, has diarrhoea, loses weight, or seems unwell, speak to your vet before making major changes.

Can Supplements Help with Coprophagia?

Supplements are not magic. If a product claims to fix every poo-eating dog, I would treat that claim with a raised eyebrow and possibly a very slow blink.

However, gut support may help some dogs, especially where digestion, stool quality, diet change or gut balance seems relevant.

Synbiotic D-C

Synbiotic D-C can support gut health and digestion. It is not a direct behavioural cure for coprophagia, but it may be useful as part of a broader plan for dogs with sensitive digestion or poor stool quality.

If your dog is unwell, on medication, has ongoing digestive symptoms, or this behaviour has started suddenly, speak to your vet first.

Diet Still Comes First

Supplements work best when the basics are already in place: good food, sensible portions, routine, health checks where needed, and prevention of rehearsal.

For a wider overview, read Dog Supplements Explained: What Really Works.

Give Your Dog Better Scavenging Outlets

For some dogs, poo eating is partly about searching, sniffing, foraging and scavenging. Instead of just trying to suppress that motivation, give it a safer outlet.

Helpful options include:

• Snuffle mats for controlled searching and foraging.
• LickiMats for calming licking activities.
• West Paw Toppl for stuffed food enrichment.
• Classic Kong for licking, chewing and settling.
• Natural chews for appropriate chewing outlets.
• Scatter feeding in clean grass or on a safe surface.
• Scent work games at home or on walks.
• Sniffy decompression walks where your dog can investigate safely.

This does not mean enrichment automatically cures coprophagia. But if your dog’s brain is asking for “sniff, search, find, consume,” it helps to give them safer ways to meet that need.

If your dog enjoys toy-based searching, the Pocket Magnet Tug is a handy option for “find it” games on walks. It is small enough to carry, easy to hide in grass, and gives your dog a more appropriate thing to hunt for than something deeply questionable left by another animal.

What Not to Do If Your Dog Eats Poo

When owners are understandably horrified, it is easy to react in ways that accidentally make the problem worse.

• Do not punish your dog. It can increase stress and does not teach them what to do instead.
• Do not chase them. This can turn poo eating into a game.
• Do not rely on shouting “leave it” from across a field. Train at easier distances first.
• Do not assume it is always a deficiency. Health and diet matter, but behaviour and rehearsal matter too.
• Do not wait for them to grow out of it if it is becoming a habit. Prevent practice early.

The kindest approach is also the most practical: prevent access, reduce rehearsal, meet your dog’s needs, reward better choices and investigate health concerns where needed.

A Simple Coprophagia Plan

If your dog is eating poo, start here:

1. Book a vet check if the behaviour is sudden, intense, new or paired with health symptoms.
2. Supervise toileting instead of letting your dog out alone.
3. Use a lead or long line to prevent rehearsal in risky places.
4. Reward moving away from poo before they grab it.
5. Clean up immediately at home and in the garden.
6. Review diet and stool quality if your dog seems hungry or has digestive issues.
7. Add safe enrichment such as sniffing, licking, chewing and searching activities.
8. Get help if your dog actively hunts for poo or ignores recall around it.

For persistent cases, especially where the dog is actively seeking poo, our dog training consultations can help you build a realistic plan that fits your dog, your walks and your home routine.

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