Why does my dog eat poop?

2 min read Updated on October 6, 2026

In shortEating feces, coprophagia, is common and disgusting but rarely serious. In puppies, it is exploration and imitation of the mother who cleans. In adults, it is often a habit maintained by taste (especially cat and herbivore poop), sometimes boredom, rarely a deficiency or disease. Punishing makes it worse: he eats faster to make the evidence disappear.

What it often means

In puppies: exploring with the mouth, and imitating maternal cleaning. It often passes with age.
Taste: cat poop, rich in protein, and herbivore droppings are very attractive.
Boredom or stress: a dog alone for long, or confined, keeps busy as he can.
Rarely medical: malabsorption, parasites, some medications, excessive hunger.

Signals to read at the same time

His own or others’: cat or horse droppings are taste; his own, more often habit or stress.
The context: alone in the yard, or in front of you right after being scolded for a pee.
His general condition: weight, stools, appetite, coat.
A recent change of diet or medication.

What you can do

Pick up immediately, every time. No opportunity, no habit.
Teach a well-paid “leave it” and reward him heavily when he turns away from poop.
Never punish him for a house-training accident: some dogs eat their poop to make it disappear.
Keep him busy: sniffing, chewing, puzzles. A busy dog searches the grass less.

When to see a vet

See a vet if it appears suddenly in an adult who did not do it, if he loses weight, has soft or bulky stools, excessive hunger or also eats dirt and stones. Deworming and a digestive check-up first.

Frequently asked questions

Do products that make poop taste bad work?

Little, and not for long. Studies show low success. Systematic pick-up and a well-paid “leave it” work much better, and quality food reduces how attractive stools are.

My dog eats the cat’s litter. Is it dangerous?

Clumping litter can swell in the stomach in large amounts, and cat feces carry parasites. Put the litter out of reach: a covered box with a narrow entrance, a room with a gate or a cat flap.

My 3-month-old puppy eats his poop. Will it pass?

In most cases, yes, before a year, provided you pick up fast and do not turn it into a chase game. If it persists after a year, apply the same rules as with an adult.

Mimo reads behavior. It does not replace a vet.