7 Natural Remedies to Stop Dogs from Eating Poop

Dogs have many bad habits, including rolling in mud, licking their butts, and drinking from the toilet, but eating poop must be one of the worst. Furthermore, many people cannot handle it if their dog eats poop and often try to rehome them. Interestingly, there is even a scientific name for when they do this, which is coprophagia. Research shows that 16% or one in six dogs are classified as serious poop eaters. Also, 24%, or one in four dogs, have been caught eating poop at least once. Therefore, this is not an uncommon behavior. However, there are ways to discourage this behavior. These include behavioral adjustments as well as over-the-counter solutions. It is thought that when dogs were in the wild living in packs, they ate each other’s feces to protect the pack from intestinal parasites. But that is only one point of view; we will explore a few more.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

When looking at other species first, eating poop is as natural as breathing. For example, Rabbits obtain key nutrients by eating their poop. If they don’t get the nutrients, rabbits can develop health problems, and juveniles will fail to thrive if they do not eat feces. On the other hand, dogs do not need to eat poop to obtain nutrients, but it is classified as a natural canine behavior. Also, when a dog has puppies, the mom will lick the puppy’s behinds to encourage them to poop and eat it to keep the environment clean. This will happen for a few weeks after the puppies are born, and the puppies may naturally copy this behavior. In addition, when puppies eat their own poop, it is called autocoprohagia. However, when they eat other dogs‘ poop, it is called allocoprophagia.

Furthermore, many dogs find horse manure and goose droppings delicious. But when dogs eat their own poop, it should be harmless. Unfortunately, when they eat other animals’ poop, there may be viruses, toxins, or parasites that may cause health issues. Usually, this behavior will disappear when the puppy is about nine months old.

Allocoprophagia

This phenomenon in puppies is described as exploring the world around them. Also, most puppies will be content with a sniff, but some, like human children, want to put everything in their mouths. Interestingly, most dogs will not eat soft poop or diarrhea. They will be more likely to eat well-formed, hard poop. Many dog owners report that frozen poop is a favorite. Some people even call it a “poopsicle”. Interesting facts about coprophagia include:

• Poop eaters are not harder to house train than non-poop eaters.
• Female dogs are more likely to eat poop.
• This behavior is more likely in households with multiple dogs.
• 85% of dogs who eat poop will not eat their own but rather other dogs’ poop.
• 92% of dogs that eat poop will want fresh feces, not more than two days old.
• Dogs who are greedy and steal food off tables tend to be poop eaters.

There are multiple reasons why dogs eat poop, including parasites, a deficiency in their diet, malabsorption syndromes, diabetes, and medications such as steroids. Also, there may be environmental stress or behavioral triggers such as isolation, restrictive confinement, anxiety, inappropriate association with real food, attention-seeking, living with a sick or elderly dog, and scenting it on their mothers.

How to Stop a Dog From Eating Poop

There are many tried and tested ways of getting your dog to stop eating poop. However, every dog is different, and some things will help one dog but not another. The best is to try until you find one that works for your dog before giving up on them.

1. Talk to Your Veterinarian

Taking your dog to the vet to discuss this behavior is best to rule out any health reasons for poop-eating. The vet will be able to give advice and may have recommendations for food or supplements that might assist. Also, they may refer you to a veterinary nutritionist for additional treatment or testing. 

2. Prevent Poop Eating with Management

Removing access to poop will be the most effective thing to do. If a dog cannot access poop, it cannot eat it. There are a few ways to do this. Firstly, pick up any poop straight away. Depending on if your dog eats their own poop or another animal’s, make sure you get rid of it as soon as you can. Also, if you have a litterbox nearby, make sure your dog does not have access to it and clean it regularly, just in case. In addition, prevent scavenging.

Dogs are natural scavengers; getting this out of them is not always easy. There are tools that you can use to help—for example, anti-scavenging muzzles. A few of these are available on the market, and choosing one that will work for you is best. Options for these types of basket muzzles include the Baskerville Anti-Scavenge muzzle and the JAFCO muzzle. Alternatively, you can use a field guard like the Outfox Field Guard. Lastly, you can use a head collar on walks like a Halti. This will give you more control over where their head goes, and you can prevent scavenging. Even though a head collar is an option, time should be spent getting your dog used to it before use.

3. Feed Your Dog High-Quality Food

Dogs need a balanced diet to function properly. This should include fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Also, their diet should fit their age and lifestyle. A vet will be able to suggest food that will fit your dog’s activity level and age. Lastly, a dog should have a meat-based diet that includes fruits and vegetables.

4. Feed Your Dog More Often

Feeding a dog smaller meals more often might help reduce hunger and the urge to scavenge.

5. Increase Mental Enrichment

Keeping your dog busy and mentally stimulated can also help to keep their mind off eating poop. Dogs need to chew, sniff and lick. This can be done by making use of foraging activities.

6. Teach Your Dog to Leave Poop Alone

Dogs can be trained to leave poop alone. There is a technique called the Leave It Cue. Also, a good tool is an automatic leave-it cue. Here you will want to make the presence of poop the cue to leave it and not the verbal “leave it.” How to train your dog to leave it:

• The dog should be on a leash, and you should have some treats.
• Walk towards the poop, but not close enough for your dog to reach it.
• As soon as they notice it, wait.
• When they step away or turn their head away from the poop, say “yes” and reward them with a treat.
• Repeat, repeat, and repeat.

7. Natural Poop Eating Deterrents

There are many natural things to help stop your dog from eating poop. As stated earlier, some things will work for some dogs, and others not. It is advisable to try different options to find one that works for your dog. These options include the following:

• Pre and Probiotics: this will enhance their digestive system, boost their immune system, and enhance their nutrient absorption.
• Digestive enzymes: this can help improve nutrient absorption and digestion, resulting in less palatable poop.
• Canned pumpkin: a few tablespoons can be added to their food. This will increase their fiber content and can make poop less appealing to eat. When trying this, only use pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.
• Well-cooked grain: adding a small amount of well-cooked grains like rice, oats, and quinoa may help.
• Vitamin B supplement: your dog may suffer from a Vitamin B deficiency or a malabsorption issue, and your vet may recommend a vitamin B supplement.
• Pineapple: feeding your dog a small amount of fresh pineapple may make their poop unappealing to them.
• Green vegetables: add vegetables that are high in fiber to your dog’s meals, such as broccoli, kale, green beans, and spinach.

Summary of 7 Natural Remedies to Stop Dogs from Eating Poop

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