My dog eats his own poop. What can I do to stop this behavior?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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  Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on June 6th, 2019

  Hi there. Many dogs do eat poop, including their own - we humans find it to be a gross habit, but it isn't normally dangerous for the dog. The easiest way to prevent this is to simply pick up the poop after he has a bowel movement, before Pluto has a chance to eat it. There are commercial products such as For-Bid, which are oral supplements you can give your pup to try and discourage them from eating their poop, but I have never found any of them to be very effective.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC

  Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist

  Published on January 30th, 2017

  Dogs that ingest feces (coprophagia) are still a mystery. While some have suggested this is similiar to pica in humans, we have little evidence to support that claim. What we do know from on survey by a veterinary behaviorist from UC Davis is that about 16% of dogs eat poop. The survey also revealed that the more dogs you have the more likely your dog will eat poop. The smallest percent (19%) of poop eaters were in single dog homes whereas 24% lived with two dogs and 30% lived in a three-dog household. While a link to diet was not found to play a role, gender did. Intact males were least likely to engage in this behavior and probably because they were engaged in other behavior such as seeking out females. As far as treating with commercially available products such as Forbid, I have never had much success. Some patients reportedly ate less feces but continued to engage in this behavior. The best thing to do is to keep your yard as clean as possible and remove all feces.

  

  3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

  Licensed Veterinary Technician

  Published on January 12th, 2017

  Any meat tenderizer containing papain may be used if Forbid is not available. You can try ordering Forbid online as well. Pick up the stool immediately. use a leash or head harness to control your dog and to keep him away from stool until it is cleaned up.

  

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  Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on October 29th, 2017

  Some dogs actually like the taste of their feces. Sometimes this can be caused by a lack of proper nutrition, so make sure Spotty is being fed a high quality dog food such as: Royal Canin, Hill's Science diet, Evo (Innova) Eukanuba or Iams. Some people have sucess getting their pets to stop eating their feces by placing 1-2 tsp of meat tenderizer in their food. If this doesn't work, then a product called Forbid can be purchased through your vet to help deter poop eating. And of course it goes without saying, you must also pick up the feces immediately so that he doesn't have access to it to begin with. Best of luck getting this unwanted behavior to stop. Take care.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful