Why Do Dogs Eat Feces?

There are several proposed reasons why a dog may engage in this habit. A habit that we find repulsive and potentially unhealthy. The following reasons may be reasons:

1. Medical condition such as a disorder of the pancreas, intestinal system, or malnutrition.
2. Parasites or starvation
3. Shelter dogs may eat their own feces in response to stress and anxiety.
4. Some dogs who have been inappropriately punished for defecating in the house or other places may eat it to eliminate evidence and avoid punishment.
5. Dogs may eat other animals’ feces if they can sense that it may be rich in vitamins, such as eating an herbivore’s fecal matter which could contain vitamin B. Or they may eat their own if they feel they need to replenish their system with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.
6. Mothers may eat the feces of their puppies as a natural response to hide the scent of the litter from potential predators.
7. Some dogs may think it just tastes good. 

It is best to discuss this behavior over with your vet and try to rule out medical issues. Your vet may suggest changing the food you feed your dog and also some environmental changes to curb this behavior. 

What Can You Do?

There are a few options that you can try that are low-cost, easy, and can make all the difference when trying to break your dog of this habit. 

1. Check the food you’re feeding your dog.  Make sure it’s a high quality, digestible type of food that has meat and not meat by-products. Also start adding dog vitamins to the diet.
2. When you walk your dog or take it out into the backyard, clean up the waste immediately. If you have a multiple dog house, clean up after all of them to keep the one who is engaging in this behavior from finding feces to eat. 
3. You may want to try and teach your dogs to go to the bathroom in one area of the yard and limit access to the rest of the yard. It will make clean up easier.
4. If your dog knows the command, “leave it” use it so (s)he doesn’t try to eat it before you have a chance to clean it up.
5. There are things you can toss on top of the waster that will make it unattractive to your dog such as hot sauce, the bitter apple spray, or pepper.
6. You can add deterrents such as Forbid to your dog’s food which will make the feces taste bad. Check with your vet.
7. Some dogs will stop naturally if they are fed 3 or 4 small meals as opposed to 2 large meals.  This may help them always feel full and not want to eat. 

Once again, it’s best to always talk with your vet as each dog may have a unique reason for engaging in this behavior.