You let your dog out into the yard, turn away for a few seconds, and when you look back, he is eating poop — his own, another dog’s, or something he found on a walk. You feel embarrassed, disgusted, and a little worried. Is something wrong with him? Is he sick? Is he missing something in his diet?
Take a deep breath. You are not alone, and your dog is not broken. This habit has a name — coprophagia (pronounced kop-roh-FAY-jee-uh) — and it is far more common than most owners realise. Puppies do it, adult dogs do it, and even well-fed, well-loved dogs do it. Usually it is normal (if unpleasant) behaviour with a fixable cause, though sometimes it signals something needing attention. Below, we cover the common reasons, how to stop it, and the warning signs for a vet visit.
What Is Coprophagia?
Coprophagia is simply the technical word for eating faeces — a dog’s own stool, another dog’s stool, cat litter contents, or even wild animal droppings.
It sounds strange to us, but dogs experience the world very differently: their sense of smell is far stronger than ours, and their instincts are shaped by thousands of years of scavenging. To a dog, poop is not always “disgusting” — it can smell like food, and sometimes even taste like food to them. That does not mean you should just accept it, though. Eating poop can expose your dog to parasites, bacteria, and viruses, especially from an unknown animal, so it is worth working on — calmly and patiently.
9 Possible Reasons Your Dog Eats Poop
1. It Is a Natural Puppy Behaviour
Puppies explore the world with their mouths and often copy other dogs. Mother dogs also clean up after their puppies in the nest — a normal maternal instinct — and puppies may imitate this. Most grow out of it as they mature, especially if the habit is gently discouraged. If your puppy is healthy, eating well, and growing normally, it is usually just a phase.
2. They Are Copying Another Dog
Dogs learn from each other, and a dog that spends time with a poop-eater may pick up the habit simply by watching. This is common in multi-dog households and at dog parks. Supervision is your best tool here: keep your dog on a leash where other dogs have been, and clean up promptly.
3. Their Food Is Not Being Fully Digested
Sometimes poop still smells like food — this can happen if a dog’s food is low quality, hard to digest, or passed through too quickly, leaving undigested bits of kibble in the stool. A good-quality, easily digestible food can make a real difference, and feeding the right amount matters too, since overfeeding means more undigested food passing through. If you are unsure about his food, your vet can help you review his diet and portions.
4. They May Be Missing Nutrients
In some cases, dogs may eat stool because their diet lacks certain nutrients or digestive enzymes — more likely on a very restricted diet, with a poor appetite or recent weight loss, or when digestive problems prevent proper nutrient absorption. Do not start adding supplements on your own, though. Talk to your vet, who can check whether your dog’s diet is complete and whether any tests are needed.
5. Hunger or a Strong Food Drive
Some dogs are simply very food-motivated. A hungry dog — underfed, on a strict weight-loss plan, or just big-appetited — may turn to poop as an available “snack,” and rescue dogs that experienced food scarcity in the past are especially prone to this. Make sure your dog gets the right amount of food for his age, size, and activity level, and try puzzle or slow feeders to make mealtimes last longer.
6. Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
A bored dog finds his own entertainment, and unfortunately, poop can become part of that. Dogs left alone in a yard for long stretches, with little to play with and no company, may start investigating — and eating — whatever is around them. The fix is enrichment: daily walks, play, chew toys, puzzle toys, and training games. A tired, mentally stimulated dog is far less interested in yard “snacks.”
7. Anxiety or Stress
Stress can drive strange behaviours in dogs, and coprophagia is one of them. An anxious dog — facing a new home, a new pet, a changed routine, or being left alone — may eat poop as a coping behaviour, and dogs punished harshly for toileting accidents may eat their stool to “hide the evidence.” If stress seems to be a factor, reduce its source where you can: keep routines steady, give your dog a safe, comfortable space, and use gentle, reward-based training, which builds confidence and trust.
8. They Like the Taste (Yes, Really)
We wish this were not true, but some dogs simply like it. Cat poop is a famous example — many dogs find litter boxes irresistible, partly because cat food is high in protein and fat and traces remain in the stool. If your dog is a cat-poop fan, the practical answer is management: keep litter boxes behind a baby gate, in a room your dog cannot enter, or use a top-entry box.
9. An Underlying Health Issue
In a smaller number of cases, eating poop can be linked to a health problem — for example, digestive disorders that affect nutrient absorption, pancreatic problems, intestinal parasites, or conditions that increase appetite. A dog that suddenly starts eating poop when he never did before, especially alongside weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting, or a big appetite change, deserves a vet check. This is not a reason to panic, simply a reason to rule things out — many such causes are treatable once identified.
How to Stop Your Dog Eating Poop
There is no single magic fix, but a combination of management and training usually works. Be patient — habits take time to break, and scolding rarely helps.
Clean Up Right Away
This is the simplest and most effective step. Pick up your dog’s poop as soon as he goes and keep your yard clean — if there is nothing to eat, the habit cannot be practised. On walks, watch him closely and steer him away from other dogs’ droppings.
Supervise Yard Time
If your dog only eats poop when unsupervised, do not leave him alone in the yard for long periods. Go out with him, and call him in or redirect him with a toy once he has finished toileting. Over time, this breaks the “go out, find poop, eat poop” routine.
Teach a Strong “Leave It”
A reliable “leave it” cue is one of the most useful tools for this problem. Start indoors with low-value items, reward generously when your dog looks away, and gradually build up to harder distractions outside. For a step-by-step approach, see our guide on how to teach your dog the leave it command. Once he understands it, use it the moment he shows interest in poop — then reward him with something much better, like a tasty treat or a favourite toy.
Feed Well and Keep a Routine
Feed a good-quality diet in the right portions and keep mealtimes regular. A dog with a settled stomach and a full belly is less likely to go searching for extras. If he is on a weight-loss plan, ask your vet about low-calorie treats and puzzle feeders that keep him satisfied.
Give Plenty of Exercise and Enrichment
A dog that gets enough exercise and mental stimulation is less likely to develop boredom-driven habits. Daily walks, sniff time, play, and training games all count — rotate toys to keep them interesting, and try food puzzles or scatter feeding at mealtimes.
Reward the Behaviour You Want
When your dog ignores poop, walks past it, or comes to you instead, reward him right away. Dogs repeat what pays off: if ignoring poop earns a treat and praise while eating it earns nothing, the better choice becomes obvious over time.
What NOT to Do
It is tempting to react strongly when you catch your dog in the act, but some common reactions make the problem worse.
- Do not yell, scold, or punish your dog after the fact. He will not connect the punishment to the eating, and may simply learn to do it when you are not watching — or to eat it faster.
- Do not rub his nose in it. This old-fashioned advice teaches nothing and can damage your dog’s trust in you.
- Do not chase him to get it out of his mouth. Chasing can turn it into a game, and he may learn to grab and swallow quickly before you reach him.
- Do not assume it is just “bad behaviour” and ignore possible health signs. If the habit starts suddenly or comes with other symptoms, a vet check is the right move, not punishment.
- Do not try home remedies or supplements without vet advice. Some products marketed for this problem are unproven, and some can upset his stomach.
- Do not leave the problem to sort itself out. Adult dogs with an established habit usually need active management and training to change.
Stay calm, stay consistent, and focus on prevention and rewards. That combination works far better than frustration.
When to See a Vet
Most cases are behavioural and manageable at home, but some signs mean your vet should take a look. Book an appointment if you notice any of the following:
- Your dog suddenly starts eating poop when he never did before
- Weight loss, or a big increase or decrease in appetite
- Diarrhoea, vomiting, or greasy-looking stools
- A dull coat, low energy, or signs of discomfort after eating
- Worms visible in the stool or around your dog’s bottom
- Your dog is eating the stool of unknown or wild animals regularly
- The habit continues despite consistent training and management
Your vet may suggest a stool test, a diet review, or other checks to rule out parasites or digestive problems. If your dog eats stool from an unknown animal, mention it at the visit, since some parasites and infections can spread this way. For more on what to watch for, see our guide on how to tell if your dog has worms.
If your dog also grazes on grass or other non-food items, our article on why dogs eat grass and whether it is dangerous may help you spot patterns worth mentioning to your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for puppies to eat poop?
Yes, it is very common in puppies. They explore with their mouths, copy other dogs, and may imitate their mother cleaning the nest. Most grow out of it with gentle guidance and supervision. If your puppy is eating well and growing normally with no other symptoms, it is usually just a phase — but clean up promptly so the habit does not stick.
Can eating poop make my dog sick?
It can, especially if the stool comes from another animal. Possible risks include intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and giardia, plus bacteria such as salmonella — which is why regular deworming, prompt clean-up, and vet check-ups matter. If your dog develops diarrhoea, vomiting, or lethargy after eating unknown stool, contact your vet.
Will my dog grow out of eating poop?
Some puppies do, but adult dogs with an established habit usually need help to stop. Consistent clean-up, supervision, “leave it” training, and enrichment give you the best chance of breaking it. If it continues, talk to your vet or a qualified dog trainer.
Why does my dog eat cat poop but not dog poop?
Cat poop is a common favourite because cat food is rich in protein and fat, and traces remain in the stool. The practical fix is access control: keep litter boxes out of reach with a baby gate, a closed door, or a top-entry box.
Should I change my dog’s food to stop this?
A diet change sometimes helps, especially if your dog’s food is hard to digest or his stool still smells strongly of food. But do not switch foods suddenly or add supplements without advice — talk to your vet first, who can review his diet and recommend a suitable food if needed.
Conclusion
Finding out your dog eats poop is never pleasant, but it is rarely a reason to worry — and it is almost always something you can improve. Usually the cause is a mix of instinct, curiosity, habit, or boredom, and the answer is prompt clean-up, supervision, patient training, and a good daily routine.
Be kind to yourself and to your dog while you work on it. He is not doing it to upset you, and he is not a “bad dog” — he is just being a dog. With consistency and a little patience, most dogs learn to leave poop alone. If anything about his behaviour worries you, or the habit comes with other symptoms, your vet is always the best next call.