Few things make a dog owner recoil quite like watching their dog tuck into a poo. The good news: it's extremely common, it has a proper name — coprophagia — and for most dogs it's a behaviour you can manage rather than a sign something is seriously wrong. Here's the honest picture on why dogs do it and, more usefully, how to stop it.
- Most of the time it's behavioural — instinct, boredom, learned habit, or attention-seeking — not a medical problem.
- Cat poop is a special temptation — it's high in protein and very appealing to dogs; litter-tray management is the fix.
- The fastest fix is management: pick poo up immediately, supervise, and don't react dramatically.
- See a vet if it's a sudden new habit, or comes with weight loss, a big appetite, or other symptoms — that can point to a medical cause.
Why do dogs eat poop?
There's rarely one single reason. Coprophagia usually falls into one of three buckets — and behaviour is by far the biggest.
1. It's behavioural (the most common reason)
For most dogs, eating poo is simply a behaviour. The roots are surprisingly normal: mother dogs instinctively clean up after their puppies, and puppies explore the world with their mouths, so a bit of poo-eating in young dogs is developmentally ordinary and most grow out of it. In adults it's often driven by boredom, under-stimulation, stress, or having learned that it gets a big reaction from you (to a dog, even "ugh, no!" is attention). Dogs left alone for long stretches, or who find toileting stressful, are more prone to it.
2. It's dietary
Genuine nutrient deficiency is less common than the internet suggests, but diet can play a role. A dog that's underfed, on a poorly-balanced diet, or not absorbing nutrients well may be more likely to scavenge — and some dogs simply find certain stools palatable, especially if their food is high in undigested matter. Making sure your dog is on a complete, appropriate diet and is properly fed is a sensible first step.
3. It's medical (worth ruling out)
Occasionally, poo-eating signals an underlying health issue — particularly conditions that increase appetite or affect nutrient absorption, such as parasites, malabsorption disorders, diabetes, Cushing's disease, or a side-effect of some medications (like steroids). The clue is usually that it's new or comes with other signs. Which brings us to a very common search...
A sudden new habit in an older dog is the version most worth a vet's attention. It can be behavioural (even canine cognitive changes), but it can also flag a medical cause that's increased their appetite or affected digestion. If your senior dog has started doing this out of nowhere — especially with weight loss, increased hunger or thirst, or any other change — book a vet check rather than assuming it's "just a habit."
Why does my dog eat cat poop?
This deserves its own mention because it's so common. Cat food is high in protein and fat, and cat poo retains a lot of that — which makes it genuinely appealing to dogs, almost like a snack. It's not a sign of a problem with your dog so much as a sign that the litter tray is reachable. The fix is environmental: move the tray out of the dog's reach (a baby gate, a high shelf, or a covered tray with a cat-sized entrance), and scoop frequently. The same goes for poo from other animals on walks — rabbit, horse and goose droppings are common targets.
How to stop a dog from eating poop
Here's the part most people actually want. The single most effective approach is management — removing the opportunity — combined with calm training. Punishment after the fact doesn't work and often makes things worse.
- Pick it up immediately. The most reliable fix is simply not giving access. Clean the garden promptly, scoop the litter tray often, and stay alert on walks.
- Keep walks engaged and on-lead where needed. Supervise, interrupt early with a cheerful recall or "leave it," and reward them for coming away — make you more interesting than the poo.
- Don't make a drama of it. A big reaction can accidentally turn it into a game, or teach a dog to gulp it faster before you reach them. Stay calm and redirect.
- Sort the basics: a complete, appropriate diet, enough food, plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and a low-stress toileting routine.
- Train a solid "leave it" and "recall." These two cues are your best long-term tools, and they're worth practising well away from temptation first.
- Manage the cat tray with gates or placement so it's simply not an option.
What about deterrent products and the pineapple trick?
You'll see two popular "add it to their food" fixes: commercial deterrent powders, and the home favourite — pineapple (the theory being it makes the poo taste unpleasant). Be honest with yourself here: the evidence for both is weak, and they only ever target a dog eating its own poo, not another animal's. A small amount of plain pineapple is usually harmless if you want to try it, but don't expect much, and check the amount with your vet. Management and training are what actually move the needle.
Is it dangerous?
It's more unpleasant than dangerous, but there are real reasons to discourage it: eating poo — especially from other animals — can pass on intestinal worms and other parasites, which is another good reason to keep up a regular worming routine. If your dog eats poo and then has tummy upset, see our guides to worms in dog poop and blood & mucus in dog poo, keep worming reminders set, and if the poo itself looks off, our dog and cat poo health checker is a quick way to gauge what's normal.
Catch the small stuff early
Easy to forget, easy to stay on top of — set a dental-check reminder so the small stuff gets caught early.
- The habit has started suddenly, especially in an older dog
- It comes with weight loss, a noticeably bigger appetite, or increased thirst
- There's vomiting, diarrhoea, or other signs of illness
- Your dog is on medication (such as steroids) that may be driving appetite
- Behavioural efforts aren't helping and you'd like a tailored plan
What about cats?
Cats eat poo far less often than dogs, so a cat doing it is more noteworthy. It can occasionally relate to diet, stress or an underlying health issue, so it's worth mentioning to your vet — particularly if it's a new behaviour or comes with any other changes.
Spot behaviour changes early
One Supernormal tag keeps your pet's full health profile in one place, sets worming reminders, and puts Nova — our online vet advice in your pocket for the "is this normal?" moments. Plus lost-pet recovery if they ever wander.
Related guides: Dog & Cat Poo Health Checker · Worms in dog poop · Blood & mucus in dog poo · Ask Nova — online vet advice
This article offers general behavioural and health guidance. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace veterinary care. If poo-eating is sudden, persistent, or comes with other symptoms, contact your vet.