Why Do Dogs Eat Feces? What We Know About Coprophagia

Finding out that your dog eats feces can be surprising, unpleasant, and confusing. You may wonder why they do it and whether it is a sign of an underlying problem.
 
The behavior has a name: coprophagia, and it is relatively common in dogs (about 1 in 6 dogs in a large owner survey). Research generally suggests that it is a mostly normal behavior, probably evolutionary in origin, rather than the symptom of a specific problem [1]. Most dogs that eat feces choose fresh ones, no more than two days old. Researchers think this may be inherited from wolves, which keep their dens clean by eating fresh feces before any parasite eggs in them become infective [1].
 
A study on the diet of Neolithic dogs estimated that human feces made up about 17–24% of what they ate [2]. In other words, coprophagia appears to be part of the dog’s evolutionary history.
 
If it happens occasionally or in specific circumstances, it is not necessarily a cause for concern. Puppies, for example, may explore their surroundings with their mouths, while some adult dogs may show an interest in feces without having an identifiable health or behavioral problem.
 
However, if the behavior becomes frequent, persistent, or is accompanied by other changes, it is worth investigating the possible causes.
 
When should you be concerned?
The first step is to rule out possible medical causes with your veterinarian. Some conditions affecting digestion, nutrient absorption, or metabolism may influence appetite and eating behavior. Intestinal parasites, as well as conditions or medications that increase appetite may also need to be considered.
 
Pay particular attention if your dog starts eating feces more frequently or shows other signs, such as:

• Increased appetite or unusual hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Diarrhea or persistent changes in stool consistency
• Vomiting or other digestive problems
• Changes in thirst or urination
• Reduced energy or other unusual changes in behavior

These symptoms do not necessarily indicate a specific condition, but they can help your veterinarian determine whether further investigation is needed.
 
Eating feces can also expose your dog to parasites and germs from other animals. For example, dogs that eat cat feces can pass Toxoplasma, a parasite that can also infect people, in their own stool for a couple of days [3]. If your dog eats feces, let your veterinarian know.
 
What causes dogs to eat feces?
If a medical cause has been ruled out, several behavioral and environmental factors may help explain coprophagia. However, there is no single explanation that applies to every dog, and the causes are not yet fully understood. Possible contributing factors include:
 
1. Exploration and curiosity
Puppies often investigate their surroundings with their mouths as part of normal development. Feces may attract their attention because of their smell and other sensory characteristics.
 
2. Instinct and learned behavior
The mother naturally cleans their puppies and their surroundings by consuming feces during the early stages of rearing. This is normal maternal behavior.
Dogs may also repeat behaviors that they find rewarding or interesting, even when the behavior seems unpleasant to us.
 
3. Easy access to feces
Coprophagia is more likely to happen where feces are easy to reach, for example in homes with several dogs [1] or in shared outdoor spaces. Access does not explain why dogs do it, but it gives the behavior more opportunities to happen.
 
Remember: these explanations should be considered possibilities rather than established causes in every case. Research has not identified one definitive behavioral reason for coprophagia, and an individual dog’s motivation may be difficult to determine.
 
How can you reduce the behavior?
Although coprophagia can be difficult to eliminate completely, several practical measures can help reduce its frequency and limit your dog’s opportunities to engage in it. The most effective
approach is to limit access to feces, together with attention to the dog’s overall well-being.
 
1. Remove feces promptly
Remove feces immediately to prevent your dog from accessing them. In shared outdoor spaces, supervise your dog and redirect them away from feces.
 
2. Use cues as a support, not a solution
Cues such as “leave it” and “come” can be a useful support, but they should not be seen as the solution: coprophagia is not a matter of obedience, and it often happens too quickly for a cue to work. Reward your dog when they disengage or return to you. Positive reinforcement is more effective than confrontation. Scolding or frightening your dog may increase stress and does not solve the problem.
 
3. Stay calm
If your dog picks up feces, avoid shouting or chasing. A loud reaction or a chase may turn the moment into a game or make your dog more stressed. Stay calm and redirect them away from the feces.
 
4. Provide appropriate stimulation
Regular exercise, play, scent-based activities, and safe exploration help meet your dog’s physical and mental needs.
 
5. Review diet and health with your veterinarian
Ensure your dog receives a complete, balanced diet suited to their needs. However, research has not linked coprophagia to a nutritional deficiency or to a specific type of diet, and no diet or supplement has been proven to stop it.
 
That said, even if solid data are lacking, an unbalanced diet, or one that does not keep your dog feeling full, may contribute to the behavior, especially in dogs that are particularly food-motivated. Dogs described by their owners as “greedy eaters” are in fact more likely to eat feces [1]. If a nutritional or digestive issue is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend dietary changes or further testing.

A personalized nutrition plan can help support your dog's individual nutritional needs when dietary guidance is appropriate.
 
Can coprophagia be stopped completely?
Training does not always work. What works most reliably is limiting your dog’s access to feces. The goal is usually to reduce how often it happens and keep your dog safe, rather than to expect the behavior to disappear completely.

References
1. Hart BL, Hart LA, Thigpen AP, Tran A, Bain MJ. The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy. Vet Med Sci. 2018;4(2):106–114. doi:10.1002/vms3.92
2. Bosch G, Cheung L. Diets of Neolithic dogs [conference abstract]. J Anim Sci. 2024;102(Suppl 3):118–119. doi:10.1093/jas/skae234.137
3. Lindsay DS, Dubey JP, Butler JM, Blagburn BL. Mechanical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts by dogs. Vet Parasitol. 1997;73(1–2):27–33.
4. Nijsse R, Mughini-Gras L, Wagenaar JA, Ploeger HW. Coprophagy in dogs interferes in the diagnosis of parasitic infections by faecal examination. Vet Parasitol. 2014;204(3–4):304–309. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.05.019
5. Beynen AC. Diet and canine coprophagy. Bonny Canteen. 2020;1:79–88.