Why Dogs Eat Poop (Coprophagia) & How to Stop It
Coprophagia, or stool eating, is surprisingly common and often shocks dog owners. Understanding the motivation behind this behaviour helps you address it calmly.
How common is it?
A study found that about 16% of dogs are serious poop eaters (seen eating stool five or more times) and roughly 24% of dogs have been observed eating poop at least once. The behaviour is more common in multi‑dog households.
Why dogs eat poop
- Evolutionary instinct: Researchers believe stool eating may have evolved to protect pack members from intestinal parasites by keeping living areas clean.
- Maternal behaviour: Mother dogs lick and ingest their puppies’ waste to keep the den clean and avoid attracting predators.
- Puppy exploration: Young dogs often ingest feces as part of learning about their environment.
- Stress or confinement: Dogs in isolation or confined spaces may eat stool due to anxiety or lack of stimulation.
- Dietary deficiency & illness: Some dogs eat stool when they aren’t absorbing nutrients properly or have pancreatic insufficiency, diabetes or intestinal parasites. Consult your vet to rule out medical causes.
How to discourage coprophagia
- Supervise & manage: Pick up stools promptly. Keep your dog on a leash during potty breaks so you can redirect them.
- Teach “leave it” and “come”: Use positive reinforcement to train commands that interrupt stool eating.
- Provide mental & physical stimulation: Increase exercise, training and play to reduce boredom and stress.
- Check diet & health: Ensure your dog is eating a balanced diet. Ask your vet about deworming and medical tests if stool eating persists.
- Avoid punishment: Yelling or scolding can increase anxiety and may make coprophagia worse. Focus on management and redirection.
More behaviour guides
- Why dogs eat grass – another common odd behaviour.
- Why dogs bark – understand canine communication.
- Why dogs hump – social behaviour explained.
Last updated: February 2026.