Dog coprophagia (Poop eating) is a common behaviour exhibited by many dogs. Many reasons exist for canine coprophagia, and some of the most common are outlined below.
Causes of Coprophagia in Dogs:
1 Nutritional Deficiency
- Dogs with nutrition deficiencies (digestive enzymes, vitamins/minerals) may seek to restore depleted nutrients through poop.
2 Poor Digestion
- Poop contains traces of food ingredients; thus, many dogs will eat their own stool again due to the residual smell prompting them. The following conditions can result in poor digestion:
- Low-quality food
- Intestinal parasites
- Digestive abnormalities
3 Environmental/Social
- Dogs may eat poop for social or environmental factors, including normal environmental exploration behaviours (puppies).
- Boredom or a lack of stimulation
- Stress and/or anxiety.
- Learned behaviour from their previous environments (dirty kennels).
4 Attention-Seeking Behaviours
- Dogs that receive any level of positive or negative attention from their owners as a result of coprophagia may continue or learn to replicate those behaviours in their attempt to elicit additional attention from their owners.
5 Medical Reasons
- Increased appetite in dogs may result from intestinal parasites or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and cause them to eat poop.
What to do:
- Feed a quality, well-balanced diet.
- Deworm on a routine basis.
- Clean your yard/area after each bowel movement.
- Provide exercise and stimulate your dog’s mind.
- You may want to ask your veterinarian if feeding your dog additional pineapple or pumpkin and/or using additives will help prevent coprophagia.
Your pets should be considered family!
