You've taken your dog for a walk, you've just finished telling the neighbour how well behaved they have been and all of a sudden you catch your dog eating dog poo. Ugh! What could possess dogs to do this?
Coprophagia (the technical term for eating faeces) is unpleasant but not uncommon behaviour among dogs. The good news is that eating faeces won't generally hurt your dog. The bad news you already know; it's disgusting, messy and leads to the worst bad breath imaginable. There's also the risk of acquiring parasites if your dog eats faeces from other animals.
Curiosity
No one is entirely sure why dogs do this but there are a couple of possible reasons. It may simply be that they enjoy it. Dogs interact with the world through their mouths, they like to carry sticks and love to chew on toys or bones.
Dogs also like things that have strong smells and excrement certainly falls into this category. It might seem odd, but eating faeces may just be your dog's way of examining something that interests them
Confused pups
Puppies will sometimes eat their own poo during toilet training. It happens because they're still unsure of where they're supposed to defecate and where they're not supposed to defecate. Afraid they may have done something wrong they will 'destroy the evidence'. This kind of cleaning behaviour can also happen with adult dogs inside the house.
Tasty Tips
Mother dogs will frequently eat their puppy's faeces when cleaning them. This is possibly a residual instinct. In the wild, eating the puppy poo would reduce the likelihood of predators finding her vulnerable offspring.
Diet deficiencies
One of the most common theories for why dogs behave like this, is that they're compensating for deficiencies in their diet. The faeces of herbivores may provide vitamins that aren't part of your dog's regular diet.
Cat food is high in protein and so cat litter may prove appealing to your dog. You must curb this behaviour immediately, as cat litter can be toxic for a dog.
Prevention
The easiest way to deal with the problem is simply to try and pick up as soon as your dog has done their business.
To deal with coprophagia in general, the best solution is to be gentle but firm in discouraging it and above all, to be consistent in your discipline.
Also, talk to your vet, who will be able to identify if your dog has additional dietary needs.
Related products
Mature Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Mature Adult Multipack Wet Dog Food with Chicken & Beef are complete premium pet foods for mature adult dogs from 7 years. Your dog will love these deliciously smooth and savoury minced loaves, formulated to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support the needs of adult dogs.
Puppy Food
Hill's Science Plan Puppy Multipack Wet Dog Food with Chicken & Beef are complete premium pet foods for growing puppies from weaning until 1 year old and for pregnant and nursing dogs. Your puppy will love these deliciously smooth and savoury minced loaves, formulated for balanced nutrition and overall health.
Adult Wet Dog Food with Beef
Hill's Science Plan Adult Multipack Wet Dog Food with Chicken, Beef & Turkey are complete premium pet foods for adult dogs from 1 year. Your dog will love these deliciously smooth and savoury minced loaves, formulated for balanced nutrition and overall health.
Hypoallergenic Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Hypoallergenic Adult Wet Dog Food with Salmon is a complete premium pet food for all adult dogs from 1 year. This savoury tinned loaf is specially formulated for dogs with delicate skin and stomachs. It features a single novel animal protein source and is grain-free.
Related articles
Feeding your puppy
How, when and what to feed your new puppy is an important decision, learn more about the things to consider for feeding your puppy.
Dangers of Raw Diets for Dogs
Learn about the potential health risks of a raw diet for dogs and why they aren't the best option for your pup or you.
Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Your Dog
Many human foods are dangerous to dogs. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your dog - and how much it takes to hurt them.
How to Feed a Fussy Eater Dog: Tips & Advice for Dog Picky Eaters
Learn effective tips for feeding a dog that's a picky eater and ensure proper nutrition for a finicky eater. Discover tips for pet parents at Hill's Pet UK.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.