Dogs eat poop (a behavior called coprophagia) for a mix of instinct, medical, and behavioral reasons, and it’s usually gross to humans but common and often treatable.

Quick Scoop

  • Coprophagia is surprisingly common in dogs, especially young ones and some breeds like retrievers.
  • Causes range from gut or diet issues to boredom, stress, and even learned habits from mom dogs cleaning their pups.
  • It can be risky (parasites, infections), so a vet check plus training and management is the safest plan.

Why dogs eat “shit”

  • Instinct and ancestry
    • Nursing mothers often eat puppy poop to keep the den clean and reduce parasite risk, and some of that behavior persists in domestic dogs.
* Studies suggest dogs may have inherited a tendency from wolves, who eat fresh feces to keep the den free of parasite-laden old poop.
  • Nutritional and gut issues
    • Low‑quality diet, underfeeding, or poor absorption (malabsorption, enzyme deficiencies, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) can push dogs to seek “extra” nutrients from feces.
* Gut microbiome imbalance or missing “good” bacteria may drive some dogs to eat feces to rebalance or recapture nutrients.
  • Medical problems that increase appetite
    • Conditions like diabetes, thyroid issues, and some GI diseases can cause ravenous hunger and make a dog more likely to eat anything, including poop.
* Intestinal parasites can steal nutrients, leaving the dog hungrier and more likely to go after feces.
  • Behavioral and emotional reasons
    • Boredom, anxiety, stress, or isolation (e.g., dogs left alone in small spaces or yards) are linked with poop eating.
* Some dogs learn that eating poop gets a big, dramatic reaction and thus functions as an attention‑seeking behavior.

* Puppies may copy their mother or other dogs, turning it into a simple habit.

Is it dangerous?

  • Feces can contain parasites, bacteria, and viruses, especially if it’s from other dogs, cats, or wild animals (or humans).
  • Repeated coprophagia increases risk of GI upset, worm infections, and transmission of certain diseases.

What you can do about it

  • See a vet first
    • Ask your vet to check for parasites, diet adequacy, and conditions like EPI, diabetes, or thyroid disease, especially if the behavior is new or paired with weight loss or big appetite changes.
  • Tighten diet and gut health
    • Feed a complete, high‑quality diet in the right amount, and discuss any enzyme or probiotic support with your vet.
  • Manage the environment
    • Pick up poop immediately in yard and on walks so your dog never gets the chance.
* Use a leash or long line outside so you can redirect quickly.
  • Train alternative behaviors
    • Teach a solid “leave it” and reward heavily when your dog ignores feces.
* Increase mental and physical enrichment (training games, sniff walks, puzzle feeders) to reduce boredom‑driven scavenging.

Mini FAQ flavor

  • Is it normal?
    • Normal-ish but not ideal; many dogs do it at some point, but frequent or intense poop eating is a sign to investigate deeper.
  • Will they grow out of it?
    • Some puppies stop as they mature; others keep doing it without management and training, especially if medical issues or stress persist.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.