Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Safe Ways to Stop Coprophagia and When to Call the Vet
Quick answer: Dogs may eat poop—called coprophagia —because they are curious, scavenging, bored, copying another dog, drawn to a smell or texture, or able to reach it easily. Puppies often explore with their mouths. But a sudden new habit in an adult dog can also be linked to diet, parasites, digestive problems, medications, or other health issues. The safest plan is to prevent access, reward a turn-away and recall after toilet trips, clean up promptly, and ask your veterinarian about new, frequent, or health-related changes. The fastest practical safeguard is simple: supervise, call your dog away after toileting, reward, and clean up before they can rehearse the habit. It is a question that can make even experienced dog guardians feel embarrassed: “Why does my dog eat poop?” The behavior is unpleasant to us, but shame and anger do not explain it or solve it. A useful response starts with two ideas. First, dogs do not evaluate smells and scavenged items the way people do. Second, a...