Why does my dog eat poo?
Coprophagia, the technical term for eating faeces, is a genuinely common behaviour in dogs and is usually behavioural — boredom, attention-seeking, or a leftover puppy instinct — rather than a sign of illness, though a vet check is still worth doing to rule out an underlying medical cause, particularly if it starts suddenly in an adult dog. It is an unpleasant habit rather than a dangerous one for most dogs, but it is worth addressing both for hygiene and because it can occasionally carry parasites.
Usually not urgent
This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.
Why dogs do it
Mother dogs naturally clean up after their puppies in the den, and some dogs simply carry a version of this instinct into adulthood without it meaning anything is wrong. Boredom and lack of stimulation are common triggers too, particularly in dogs left alone in a garden for long periods with little else to occupy them.
Some dogs develop the habit through attention — even a strong reaction from an owner rushing to stop them can inadvertently reinforce the behaviour by making it an exciting thing to do. Anxiety, and in some cases a nutritional deficiency or a digestive issue that leaves food only partially digested and more appealing to a dog, can also play a role.
Multi-dog households sometimes see it more, particularly if one dog is more food-motivated or lower in confidence around resources generally, and puppies raised alongside an adult dog who does this can pick it up as a learned behaviour rather than developing it independently.
When to rule out a medical cause
A dog who suddenly starts eating faeces having never done so before, especially alongside weight loss, changes in appetite, or changes in stool consistency, is worth a vet visit to rule out a digestive or nutritional issue rather than assuming it is purely behavioural. Intestinal parasites and malabsorption conditions can sometimes present this way.
This is also worth checking if your dog is eating other cats' litter tray contents specifically, since this pattern is common but still worth a mention to your vet as part of a general health check, particularly around parasite prevention.
What helps
Prompt cleanup in the garden removes the opportunity before the habit has a chance to establish itself, which is often the single most effective practical step. Keeping worming up to date is worth doing regardless, since some parasites can pass between dogs this way.
Increasing exercise and mental stimulation — puzzle feeders, more varied walks, training sessions — addresses the boredom that drives the habit in many dogs. If the behaviour has become established, calm, consistent management rather than punishment tends to work better, since punishment can increase anxiety around toileting and sometimes make the behaviour worse rather than better.
Teaching a solid 'leave it' cue and rewarding your dog generously for coming away from faeces on a walk can also help redirect the behaviour without confrontation, and it has the added benefit of being useful for plenty of other situations too. Consistency across everyone who walks the dog matters here, since mixed responses from different family members slow progress considerably and can leave a dog confused about what is actually expected of them.
When to see a vet
See your vet if the behaviour starts suddenly in a dog who has never done it before, if it comes with weight loss, appetite change, or changes in stool consistency, or if you are struggling to manage it through cleanup and enrichment alone. A vet can rule out medical causes and, where needed, refer you to a behaviourist for a more structured plan.
A vet visit is also worth it simply for peace of mind, since ruling out a medical cause early means you can focus on management and training with confidence rather than wondering whether something else is going on underneath the behaviour. It also gives you a clear starting point, rather than trying several changes at once and not knowing which one, if any, actually made the difference.
This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your dog.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Bugalugs Scottish Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats 500ml
A 100% natural daily supplement rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 from high-quality Scottish salmon — supports skin, coat, joints, and brain health.
£13.99
Tarhong Medallion Slow Feeder Puzzle Dog Bowl
A stylish BPA-free puzzle bowl that slows down greedy eaters — available in three sizes and a choice of colours.
From£10.99
LickiMat Wobble & Splash Enrichment Bowls for Dogs
Wobbling rubber enrichment bowls that add movement and challenge to treat time, encouraging slower eating and longer-lasting fun.
£16.99
Common questions
- Is it dangerous for dogs to eat poo?
- For most healthy dogs it is unpleasant rather than dangerous, though it can occasionally pass on intestinal parasites, which is one reason to keep worming up to date. A sudden onset in an adult dog, or the behaviour alongside other symptoms, is worth a vet check to rule out an underlying cause.
- Why does my puppy eat their own poo?
- This is common in young puppies and often relates to a natural instinct carried over from how mother dogs keep a den clean, or simply curiosity and exploration. Most puppies grow out of it, and prompt cleanup along with plenty of stimulation helps in the meantime.
- Does eating cat poo make dogs sick?
- It is not usually dangerous on its own for a healthy dog, but litter tray contents can carry parasites or bacteria, so keeping the tray inaccessible to your dog and both pets' worming up to date is a sensible precaution.
- Will changing my dog's food stop them eating poo?
- It can help in some cases, particularly if an underlying digestive issue is leaving food incompletely digested, but it is not a guaranteed fix since the behaviour is often purely behavioural rather than nutritional. Speak to your vet before changing food specifically to address this, so any medical cause is ruled out first.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.