Coprophagia, the act of eating feces, is a behavior that can be unsettling and even alarming for dog owners. While it’s more commonly observed in puppies, it can persist into adulthood if not addressed. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior and implementing effective strategies are crucial for stopping it. This guide explores what to put in dog food and other methods to deter your dog from eating poop.
Reasons Why Dogs Eat Poop
Identifying the underlying cause of coprophagia is the first step in finding a solution. Several factors can contribute to this behavior:
Nutritional Deficiencies
Dogs may eat poop if their diet lacks essential nutrients or if they have difficulty absorbing nutrients properly. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, for instance, has been linked to coprophagia. However, nutritional deficiencies are less common in dogs fed commercial diets and more prevalent in those on raw or homemade diets.
Underlying Medical Issues
Sudden onset of coprophagia can indicate underlying health conditions that increase appetite or affect nutrient absorption. These conditions include:
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Gastrointestinal diseases causing malabsorption
- Liver disease
- Anemia
- Canine cognitive dysfunction (“doggie dementia”)
Intestinal Parasites
Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms can steal nutrients from your dog’s diet, leading to inflammation, malabsorption, and ultimately, coprophagia.
Anxiety
Anxiety or stress can manifest as coprophagia in dogs. This may be due to separation anxiety, isolation distress, or an attempt to hide evidence of accidents during potty training to avoid punishment.
Hunger
Simple hunger or increased appetite, often triggered by steroidal treatments like prednisone, can drive dogs to eat poop as a source of calories.
Cleaning the “Den”
Mother dogs instinctively lick their puppies’ rears to stimulate bowel movements and consume their feces for the first few weeks after birth, keeping the den clean and protecting against predators.
Taste Preference
Some dogs may simply enjoy the taste of feces, which is essentially digested food. Other animals’ feces can be a source of protein or, in the case of herbivores, digested plants.
Inappropriate Association with Food
If a dog’s eating area was located too close to their potty area during critical developmental phases, they might associate poop with food. This is more common in dogs who spent time in confinement without a separate potty area, such as in puppy mills or overcrowded shelters.
Attention Seeking or Boredom
Dogs quickly learn that eating poop elicits a strong reaction from their owners, which can reinforce the behavior as a means of getting attention or relieving boredom.
Health Risks of Eating Poop
While not always a major medical issue, coprophagia increases the risk of contracting diseases like E. coli, Salmonella, giardia, and parvovirus. It also elevates the risk of intestinal parasite infection and, in rare cases, absorption of undigested medications from the feces.
Furthermore, dogs who eat poop can transmit illnesses like Salmonella and giardia to humans through saliva.
How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop
Consult Your Veterinarian
Rule out any underlying health issues by consulting your veterinarian. They may recommend specific food or supplements to address potential deficiencies and refer you to a veterinary nutritionist for further evaluation if needed.
Management: Prevent Access to Poop
The most effective way to stop coprophagia is to prevent access to feces. This can be achieved through:
- Immediate poop removal: Pick up poop right away, especially if your dog prefers another dog’s feces.
- Litter box access control: Block access to the cat’s litter box using gates or strategic placement, and clean it regularly.
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Anti-scavenging tools:
- Muzzles: A basket muzzle with a front guard, like the Baskerville Anti-Scavenge muzzle, can prevent ingestion. The JAFCO muzzle is another option.
- Field Guards: The Outfox Field Guard prevents ingestion.
- Head Collars: A head collar like a Halti can provide better control over where their nose goes on walks.
High-Quality Food
Ensure your dog’s food is a high-quality, well-balanced diet appropriate for their age and activity level. Look for meat-based diets with a balance of carbohydrates (vegetables, quality grains, and fruits).
More Frequent Meals
Feeding smaller meals more frequently throughout the day may help reduce hunger and scavenging behavior. Adjust meal frequency cautiously, especially if your dog is still in potty training.
Increase Mental Enrichment
Provide more brain games and mental enrichment to reduce boredom and stress. Licking, chewing, and sniffing are particularly helpful for decompression and reducing anxiety. Use snuffle mats or puzzle feeders to make mealtimes more engaging.
A dog with its nose to the ground, deeply engaged in sniffing, demonstrates the importance of satisfying a dog’s natural instincts through enrichment activities.
Teach “Leave It”
Train your dog to “Leave It” on command. Combine this with management and prevention techniques for optimal success. You can also teach an automatic “Leave It” where the presence of poop becomes the cue for your dog to turn away.
What to Put in Dog Food to Stop Eating Poop: Poop Eating Deterrent Products
While over-the-counter poop-eating deterrent products often don’t deliver on their promises, some natural additives may help balance your dog’s gastrointestinal system.
Natural Poop Eating Deterrents
- Pre and Probiotics: Enhance digestion, nutrient absorption, and boost the immune system. Use a multi-strain product with a high CFU per dose.
- Digestive Enzymes: Improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients, making feces less palatable (available by prescription).
- Vitamin B Supplements: Recommended for dogs diagnosed with malabsorption issues or Vitamin B deficiency (B-complex injections).
- Canned Pumpkin: Add a couple of teaspoons to tablespoons (depending on size) of pure canned pumpkin to increase fiber content.
- Green Veggies: Add vegetables high in fiber, such as spinach, kale, green beans, or broccoli.
- Small Amount of Well-Cooked Grain: Such as cooked oats, rice, or quinoa.
- Pineapple: Small pieces of fresh pineapple (never canned) may make the taste of their poop unappealing.
- Meat Tenderizer: Many meat tenderizers have other ingredients that can be toxic to dogs, such as high sodium, onion, and garlic.
Always consult with your veterinarian before adding any new supplements or ingredients to your dog’s diet.
Conclusion
Stopping coprophagia requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the underlying causes and the behavior itself. By consulting with your veterinarian, managing your dog’s environment, providing a high-quality diet, increasing mental enrichment, and using natural deterrents, you can effectively curb this unpleasant habit and promote your dog’s health and well-being. If your dog eats poop, consult with your veterinarian.
