Why your dog eats poo (and what to do about it)

Training & behaviourPart of · Training & behaviour

Why your dog eats poo (and what to do about it)

Q: Why does my dog eat his own poo?

Eating his own poo is the case that deserves a bit more attention. If it's new, or if it comes with weight loss, ravenous hunger or changing stools, have your vet check his digestion before treating it as a simple training issue.

Q: Is it dangerous for a dog to eat poo?

In itself it's mostly just disgusting. The real risk is parasitic : swallowing other dogs' stools is a way in for worms. Hence the importance of picking up, keeping worming up to date and washing your hands. A sudden onset, though, warrants a vet's opinion.

6 min read

Why your dog eats poo

Eating poo has a name, coprophagia, and it's far more common than people think. The largest study on the subject (Hart et al. 2018, around 1,500 dogs) found that roughly 16% of dogs eat it regularly, almost always fresh stools less than two days old. There's no link to diet, age or house-training: the profiles that stand out are the dog who's a "greedy eater" and multi-dog households. The strongest theory is an old reflex inherited from the dog's ancestors: keeping the den clean limited parasites. In short, it's not filth, silliness or a deficiency to make up for.

In puppies it's even more common and often just a phase: he imitates his mother, who cleans the nest by swallowing her pups' faeces, and he explores the world with his mouth. This reflex usually fades on its own by around 3 to 4 months.

Should you worry?

You can relax

He's going for fresh poos from other dogs, at the park or on a walk.
He's a fairly greedy dog, or there are several dogs in the house.
He's in great shape: normal appetite, glossy coat, usual energy.
He's always done it, with nothing new going on.

Have a word with the vet

It starts up suddenly in a dog who never did it before.
He's eating his own poo, not just other dogs'.
On top of that he's losing weight, ravenously hungry, his coat is going dull or his stools are changing.
He also has diarrhoea that's dragging on.

What works: manage, don't punish

The only genuinely effective approach: manage access to poos while you make "letting go" pay off.

Pick up poos straight away

At home and on walks alike: no poo on the ground, no temptation. It's by far the most useful thing you can do, and as a bonus it cuts off parasites too.

Keep an eye out when you're out

Supervise walks and keep him on a loose long-line in poo-heavy areas while you defuse the habit.

Teach him "leave it" and "give"

When he backs off or lets go, mark it with a marker word ("yes!") and reward straight away. A well-paid recall brings him back to you rather than to the poo.

Redirect, then praise

The moment he spots a poo, offer a game, a treat or a chew toy, and warmly confirm the good choice.

Keep his mind busy

A bored greedy-guts tries to gobble everything. More chewing, scent games and mental exercise take the edge off the urge.

A few real-life cases

He raids the cat's litter tray

Cat poos are a draw: the cat's food, richer and fattier, makes them appealing.
Put the tray up high or behind a barrier, out of reach, and clean it often.
Stay alert: swallowing clumping litter can upset his gut.

He gobbles poos at the park

It's the fresh stools from other dogs that interest him: the most ordinary case of all.
Loose long-line, "leave it", and call him back before he dives in.
Keep worming up to date: that's where the real parasite risk lies.

He eats his own poo

This is the scenario that deserves the most attention.
Pick up straight after every walk to break the habit.
If it lasts or if it's new, have your vet check his digestion.

Hart et al. — The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy, Veterinary Medicine and Science (2018)
Guideline GL1: gut worms and worming, ESCCAP (2025)
Position on training methods and punishment, AVSAB (2021)

Going further

guideWorms and worming your dogIntestinal worms are one of the first things to rule out, a proper deworming schedule takes that off the list.Read the guide guideTeaching your dog to come back when calledA solid recall is your best tool on walks, he'll come back to you before he even reaches that tempting find.Read the guide guideWhy does my dog eat grass?Another eating habit that often worries owners for nothing, understand why he nibbles on grass.Read the guide guideExercising and keeping your dog busyBoredom is one of the most common triggers for coprophagy, a well-occupied dog thinks about it far less.Read the guide guideFeeding your adult dogAn unbalanced diet can play a part, checking what he's really eating is often the first thing to look at.Read the guide guideDog vomiting and diarrhoea: what to do and when to see a vetIf digestive troubles come with the behaviour, this guide helps you spot when it's time to see the vet.Read the guide

Frequently asked questions

Why does my dog eat poo?

Most of the time it's normal behaviour: around 16% of dogs do it, mainly on fresh stools from other dogs (Hart et al. 2018). It's neither a deficiency nor filth, but a reflex tied to the greedy-eater profile and an old den-hygiene instinct.

Why does my dog eat his own poo?

Eating his own poo is the case that deserves a bit more attention. If it's new, or if it comes with weight loss, ravenous hunger or changing stools, have your vet check his digestion before treating it as a simple training issue.

How do I stop my dog eating poo?

Management first: pick up poos straight away, supervise outdoors (loose long-line), and teach him "leave it" and "give" by rewarding the let-go with a marker word ("yes!"). Deterrent products, for their part, are almost completely useless.

Why does my dog eat cat poo?

Because it's tasty to him: the cat's diet, richer and fattier, flavours its stools. The answer isn't to tell him off but to manage access: litter tray up high or out of reach, cleaned often. Also keep an eye out that he doesn't swallow clumping litter.

Is it dangerous for a dog to eat poo?

In itself it's mostly just disgusting. The real risk is parasitic: swallowing other dogs' stools is a way in for worms. Hence the importance of picking up, keeping worming up to date and washing your hands. A sudden onset, though, warrants a vet's opinion.

My puppy eats his poo, is that normal?

Yes, it's common and usually just a phase: the puppy imitates his mother cleaning the nest, and he explores with his mouth. It generally fades by around 3 to 4 months. Pick up quickly, never punish him when you get back, and see the vet if it persists, starts suddenly or involves his own stools.

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