Why does my dog eat poop?

Dogs eat poop, it's a behaviour called coprophagia, which happens for a variety of reasons, including instinct, habit, and even medical issues.

However grim, it's often a normal behaviour, especially in puppies, but can also be a sign of underlying health problems or psychological issues.

Here's why it might happen:

1. Instinct and Habit:

Instinctual behaviour:

Dogs, like wolves, may have an instinct to keep their living area clean by consuming faeces, especially from puppies.

Habit:

Dogs may develop coprophagia as a learned behaviour, especially if they were previously rewarded (even unintentionally) for eating poop.

Nutritional deficiencies:

If a dog's diet is lacking certain nutrients, they might eat poop to try and supplement what's missing.

Inadequate digestion:

Some dogs might not properly absorb nutrients from their food and may try to get them from faeces.

2. Medical Conditions:

Parasites:

Intestinal parasites can affect nutrient absorption, leading a dog to eat poop.

Medical conditions:

Certain diseases like Cushing's disease, thyroid issues, or malabsorption disorders can cause coprophagia.

3. Psychological Factors:

Boredom, stress, or anxiety: Dogs may eat poop to cope with these emotions or seek attention.

Attention seeking: Some dogs might eat poop to get a reaction from their owners.

Isolation or confinement: Dogs kept alone or in small spaces may eat poop out of boredom or stress.

Fear of punishment: Dogs may eat poop to hide evidence of accidents, especially if they were punished for them.

4. Other Factors:

Nursing mothers: Female dogs may eat the poop of their puppies to keep the den clean.

Curiosity: Puppies, like human toddlers, may explore by putting things in their mouths,

including faeces.

Taste: Some dogs simply seem to enjoy the taste or smell of certain types of poop.

What to do:

Consult your vet:

If coprophagia is a sudden change in behaviour or if your dog is exhibiting other symptoms, it's important to rule out medical causes.

Its also super important to worm with a wormer that includes tapeworm treatment, speak to your vet for the best frequency and product.

Address psychological issues:

Provide more mental and physical stimulation, enrichment toys, and address any anxiety or stress.

Improve diet:

Ensure your dog is getting a balanced and appropriate diet.

Manage the environment:

Keep your yard clean, supervise your dog, and discourage them from eating poop.