Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Understanding Coprophagia in Dogs

This article delves into the perplexing phenomenon of coprophagia, the act of eating faeces, in dogs. We explore the various reasons behind this behaviour, ranging from nutritional deficiencies to underlying medical conditions. We discuss the potential dangers of coprophagia and provide practical tips for addressing this issue.

Part 1: Understanding Coprophagia

1.1 Definition and Prevalence

Coprophagia, commonly known as poop-eating, is a behaviour exhibited by dogs, where they consume their own faeces or the faeces of other animals. This behaviour, while often considered disgusting, is actually quite common, particularly in puppies and young dogs. Studies suggest that approximately 16% of dogs engage in coprophagia at some point in their lives, with a higher prevalence in younger dogs.

1.2 Causes of Coprophagia

The reasons behind coprophagia can be complex and multifaceted. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for effectively addressing the issue.

1.2.1 Nutritional Deficiencies

Dogs may engage in coprophagia due to nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of essential nutrients.

1. Dietary Deficiencies: Diets lacking in crucial nutrients like protein, fibre, or vitamins can trigger coprophagia. For instance, a diet lacking in pancreatic enzymes can result in maldigestion and malabsorption, leading to undigested food in the faeces, which the dog may then attempt to re-digest.
2. Pancreatic Insufficiency: A condition where the pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption of nutrients. This can result in the dog seeking undigested nutrients from their faeces.
3. Dietary Changes: Sudden changes in diet can disrupt the digestive system and lead to nutrient malabsorption, triggering coprophagia.

1.2.2 Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can also contribute to coprophagia:

1. Parasites: Intestinal parasites like roundworms or hookworms can cause nutrient malabsorption and stimulate coprophagia. The parasites can irritate the intestinal lining, leading to diarrhoea and undigested food in the faeces, which the dog may then try to re-digest.
2. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to diarrhoea and undigested food in the faeces. Dogs may attempt to re-digest these nutrients by eating their faeces.
3. Liver Disease: Liver disease can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, leading to maldigestion and coprophagia.
4. Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism can slow down metabolism and affect nutrient absorption, potentially leading to coprophagia.

1.2.3 Behavioural Factors

Behavioural factors also play a significant role in coprophagia:

1. Boredom: Dogs lacking sufficient mental and physical stimulation may engage in coprophagia out of boredom. A lack of stimulating activities can lead to frustration and anxiety, which may manifest as coprophagia.
2. Attention-Seeking: Some dogs may resort to coprophagia to gain attention from their owners, even if the attention is negative. This behaviour is often linked to a lack of consistent positive reinforcement and attention from the owner.
3. Social Mimicry: Puppies may learn coprophagous behaviour from their littermates or other dogs in the environment. This is particularly common in multi-dog households where puppies observe other dogs engaging in this behaviour.
4. Stress and Anxiety: Dogs experiencing stress or anxiety may exhibit coprophagia as a coping mechanism. This behaviour can be a response to changes in their environment, such as moving to a new home, the arrival of a new pet, or the loss of a family member.

Part 2: Potential Dangers of Coprophagia

While not always life-threatening, coprophagia can pose certain risks to dogs.

2.1 Health Risks

1. Parasite Re-infection: Eating faeces can lead to re-infection with parasites like roundworms or hookworms, even if the dog has been dewormed. This is because the parasites can survive and reproduce in the faeces, and re-infection occurs when the dog ingests these contaminated faeces.
2. Gastrointestinal Upset: Consuming faeces can cause digestive upset, leading to diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. This is due to the presence of bacteria and other microorganisms in the faeces, which can irritate the dog's digestive tract.
3. Nutrient Deficiencies: Coprophagia may perpetuate nutrient deficiencies if the faeces do not provide the required nutrients. For example, if a dog is deficient in protein or essential vitamins, eating faeces is unlikely to provide these nutrients and may even worsen the deficiency.
4. Ingestion of Foreign Objects: In some cases, coprophagia may lead to the ingestion of foreign objects, such as plastic or metal, which can be dangerous and cause blockages in the digestive tract.
5. Zinc Toxicity: Certain dog foods contain high levels of zinc, which can be toxic when ingested in large amounts. Eating faeces containing high levels of zinc can lead to zinc toxicity.

2.2 Behavioural Issues

1. Reinforcement: If coprophagous behaviour is rewarded with attention from the owner, it can be inadvertently reinforced, leading to increased frequency of the behaviour. Even a negative reaction, like scolding, can be perceived as attention and reinforce the behaviour.
2. Negative Impact on Owner-Dog Bond: Coprophagia can strain the owner-dog bond, especially if the behaviour is persistent and difficult to manage. It can lead to frustration and tension in the relationship, as the owner may feel embarrassed and disgusted by the behaviour.

Part 3: Addressing Coprophagia

Addressing coprophagia requires a multi-pronged approach:

3.1 Identifying the Cause

The first step is to identify the underlying cause of coprophagia. This may involve:

1. Veterinary Examination: A thorough veterinary examination is essential to rule out any underlying medical conditions, such as parasites, gastrointestinal disorders, or thyroid problems.
2. Dietary Evaluation: The dog's diet should be reviewed to identify any potential nutritional deficiencies. This includes assessing the quality of the food, the amount fed, and any recent changes in diet.
3. Behavioural Assessment: A behavioural assessment can help determine if stress, anxiety, or boredom contribute to coprophagia. This can be done by observing the dog's behaviour in different situations and discussing the dog's lifestyle with the owner.

3.2 Tailored Solutions

Once the cause has been identified, the treatment plan should be tailored to address it:

3.2.1 Nutritional Management

1. Dietary Changes: The dog's diet may be adjusted to address nutritional deficiencies. This may involve switching to a higher quality diet, adding supplements, or increasing the amount of food fed.
2. Food Supplements: In some cases, food supplements can be added to the diet to address specific nutrient deficiencies, such as digestive enzymes or probiotics.
3. Feeding Schedule: Regular feeding times and portion control can help regulate digestion and reduce the likelihood of undigested food in the faeces.

3.2.2 Medical Treatment

1. Parasite Control: If parasites are present, deworming medication will be required to eliminate the parasites and prevent re-infection.
2. Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat bacterial infections associated with gastrointestinal disorders.
3. Medication for Underlying Conditions: If an underlying condition such as hypothyroidism is diagnosed, medication may be prescribed to manage the condition.

3.2.3 Behavioural Modification

1. Environmental Enrichment: Providing adequate mental and physical stimulation through activities like walks, games, and puzzle toys can help reduce boredom and anxiety. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and training sessions can engage the dog's mind and provide mental stimulation.
2. Training and Positive Reinforcement: Train the dog to leave faeces alone using positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewarding the dog for avoiding the faeces. This may involve using verbal praise, treats, or toys to reinforce desired behaviours.
3. Management Strategies: Keeping faeces out of reach, cleaning up faeces promptly, and using deterrents like bitter apple spray can help reduce coprophagia. Bitter apple spray can be sprayed on the faeces to make it less palatable to the dog.
4. Anxiety Management: If anxiety is a contributing factor, techniques such as relaxation training, pheromone diffusers, or calming supplements may be helpful.

Part 4: Prevention

Preventing coprophagia is easier than addressing it after it has developed:

4.1 Early Intervention

1. Monitor Puppies: Puppies are more susceptible to coprophagia. Early intervention can help prevent it from becoming a persistent habit. This includes providing appropriate training and socialisation, and addressing any potential nutritional deficiencies.
2. Supervise Puppies: Closely supervise puppies during their early development and redirect them from eating faeces whenever they attempt to do so.

4.2 Nutritional and Behavioural Management

1. Balanced Diet: Provide a balanced diet with adequate protein, fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals. This will help ensure the dog is getting the nutrients it needs and reduce the likelihood of nutrient deficiencies.
2. Environmental Enrichment: Offer sufficient mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and anxiety. This includes providing opportunities for exercise, play, and mental challenges.
3. Training and Socialisation: Train puppies to avoid faeces and socialise them with other dogs to reduce the likelihood of learning coprophagous behaviour. This includes teaching the "leave it" command and exposing the puppy to other dogs in a safe and controlled environment.

Part 5: FAQs

5.1 Why do puppies eat poop?

Puppies are more prone to coprophagia due to factors like nutritional deficiencies, lack of training, and social mimicry. They may explore the world through their mouths and experiment with different textures and smells. In addition, puppies' digestive systems are still developing, which can lead to undigested food in the faeces that they may try to re-digest.

5.2 Is it normal for dogs to eat poop?

Coprophagia is common, especially in puppies and young dogs. However, it is not a normal behaviour and can indicate underlying issues. While some dogs may occasionally eat poop without any ill effects, it's important to address the behaviour to rule out any underlying medical or behavioural problems.

5.3 Can I stop my dog from eating poop?

Addressing coprophagia requires identifying the underlying cause and implementing a tailored plan. This may involve dietary changes, medical treatment, or behaviour modification techniques. With patience and consistency, it's possible to prevent or reduce coprophagia in most dogs.

5.4 Is it safe for dogs to eat poop?

While some dogs may show no ill effects from eating faeces, it can pose health risks like parasite re-infection and gastrointestinal upset. The potential dangers of coprophagia vary depending on the dog's age, health, and the type of faeces consumed.

5.5 How do I deal with a dog who eats poop?

It's important to consult with your vet to identify the cause and determine the appropriate course of action. They may recommend dietary changes, medication, or behaviour modification strategies. A veterinarian can also perform diagnostic tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

5.6 Will my dog grow out of eating poop?

While some dogs may outgrow coprophagia on their own, others may continue the behaviour. It's important to address the issue promptly to prevent it from becoming a persistent habit. If the behaviour persists despite addressing potential causes, a veterinary behaviourist can provide further guidance and support.