Symptom guide

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? What Research Says and How to Stop It

Eating poop (coprophagia) is common and usually behavioural. What a large UC Davis study found, when it's a health issue, and practical ways to stop it.

Updated October 2026 · 6 min read · By the Hushku editorial team · 2 sources

Book a routine vet visit. Usually behavioural; see a vet if it starts suddenly

Short answer

Eating poop is common and usually a normal, if unpleasant, canine behaviour. A large UC Davis survey found about 1 in 6 dogs did it frequently, almost always eating fresh stools, and products added to food rarely worked. The most effective fix is to pick up poop straight away, supervise in the garden, teach 'leave it' and 'come', and check with a vet if it starts suddenly or comes with weight loss or a big appetite.

Key facts

16% of dogs in a UC Davis survey ate stools frequently.
Dogs almost always eat fresh stools, under 2 days old.
Owners reported close to zero success with commercial deterrents.
Picking up poop immediately is the most effective fix.

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If your pet seems unwell, or you're worried, call your vet.

Overview

Coprophagia, eating faeces, is one of the most off-putting things dogs do, and one of the most common. Mother dogs eat their puppies' waste to keep the den clean, and puppies often investigate poop with their mouths.

A 2018 study from the University of California, Davis, led by Benjamin Hart, surveyed owners of more than 1,500 dogs. It found that 16% of dogs ate stools frequently (seen at least six times), almost always fresh stools no more than two days old. Coprophagic dogs were more likely to be described as greedy eaters, and the behaviour wasn't linked to diet or age. The reported success rate for commercial products and food additives was close to zero.

The researchers suggested the behaviour may be an inherited instinct from wolves, which keep their dens free of fresh faeces that could carry intestinal parasite eggs before they become infective.

Go to a vet now if you see

Vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy after eating droppings from wildlife or other dogs
Eating cat litter in large amounts (clumping litter can cause blockages)
Eating faeces from a pet on medication, or from horses recently dewormed

Common causes

1. Normal instinct and habit
Usually mild
Most coprophagia is behavioural. Puppies often grow out of it; some adults keep it up.
2. Greedy appetite or hunger
Usually mild
Dogs that are very food-motivated, on a strict diet, or fed one large meal a day may scavenge more.
3. Boredom, attention or stress
Usually mild
Dogs left alone in a garden, or punished for accidents, may eat poop to occupy themselves or hide the evidence.
4. Poor digestion or absorption
Needs a vet
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal disease or parasites can leave undigested food in stools and increase appetite. Watch for weight loss and soft, bulky stools.
5. Conditions that increase appetite
Needs a vet
Diabetes, Cushing's disease and some medicines such as steroids can make dogs ravenous.
6. Cat litter and other animals' droppings
Usually mild
Many dogs find cat faeces and herbivore droppings especially attractive.

What you can do at home

Pick up poop immediately, in the garden and on walks; prevention works better than any additive.
Go out with your dog and call it away to a treat as soon as it's finished toileting.
Teach a reliable 'leave it' and recall, using high-value rewards.
Keep litter boxes out of reach, for example behind a baby gate or with a top-entry box.
Split daily food into two or three meals and use puzzle feeders to slow eating.
Don't punish your dog for eating poop or for accidents indoors; it can make the behaviour more secretive.

When to see a vet

Coprophagia that starts suddenly in an adult or older dog
Weight loss, a ravenous appetite, or soft, greasy or bulky stools
Drinking and peeing more
Vomiting or diarrhea

Prevention

Keep up with regular deworming and stool tests
Supervise puppies and clean up promptly during house training
Give plenty of exercise, chew toys and enrichment

Sources

We check guides against veterinary sources and update them when guidance changes. How we write and review.

Questions.

Is eating poop dangerous for my dog?

Eating its own fresh stools is usually harmless, but other animals' faeces can carry parasites and bacteria. Regular parasite control helps.

Do pineapple or stool-eating deterrents work?

There's little evidence. In the UC Davis survey, owners reported almost no success with commercial products.

Will my puppy grow out of it?

Many do by about a year old, especially if poop is cleared up consistently so the habit doesn't form.

Key facts

Overview

Go to a vet now if you see

Common causes

1. Normal instinct and habit

2. Greedy appetite or hunger

3. Boredom, attention or stress

4. Poor digestion or absorption

5. Conditions that increase appetite

6. Cat litter and other animals' droppings

What you can do at home

When to see a vet

Prevention

Sources

Questions.

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