This question is asked more frequently than you might imagine. Poop eating (the technical term is copraphagia, occurs in all breeds and ages of dogs, and while it may be more common in puppies, not all dogs outgrow this rather disturbing habit.
Veterinarians and behavioralists have debated for years over what would make poop so attractive to some dogs, whether it be “kitty rocca”, “horse apples” or just the common dog poop. In truth, we don’t have the answers. While it may be linked to some diseases which affect the dog’s ability to digest nutrients, such as pancreatic diseases or intestinal disorders or even heavy intestinal parasite infestations; most cases are not a sign of illness. If your pet does engage in such behavior, it is important to have a veterinary checkup and annual wellness testing as the illnesses above can become serious if not treated. However, the majority of dogs seem to choose the behavior. It has been suggested that the habit can be learned from watching other dogs and that there does seem to be a link to dogs which are bored and are “acting out”. Because we don’t know specifically what causes or triggers this behavior in most dogs, achieving a “cure” can be frustrating. If your dog is eating his own or a housemates feces, there are products such as “Forbid” which you sprinkle on their food, which is supposed to make the poop taste bad (what did it taste like before?). Make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise and is provided a stimulating environment. Feed a premium balanced diet developed for dogs and keep fresh water available at all times. Many monthly heartworm preventatives available at your veterinarians, such as Sentinel, also cover for intestinal parasites. In the end, the best way to prevent the behavior is the old-fashioned pooper scooper; they can’t eat it if they can’t find it! Hope this has answered some of your questions. Hang in there, one of my own “six pack” of dogs is a chronic offender, so I can sympathize J.
Dr. Deborah Miller, DVM
Rosie Short - Reformed Poop Eater
