ð¡ Quick Answer: Coprophagia, or eating faeces, is a surprisingly common behaviour in puppies that occurs in up to one in four dogs. Puppies may eat poo due to natural curiosity, learned behaviour from their mother, nutritional deficiencies, digestive enzyme insufficiency, boredom, or attention-seeking. While unpleasant, it is rarely harmful when eating their own faeces. The behaviour often resolves naturally as puppies mature, but consistent management and prevention strategies help eliminate it faster.
What You Will Learn
- Why Do Puppies Eat Their Own Poo?
- Is Poo Eating Dangerous for Puppies?
- How Can I Stop My Puppy Eating Poo?
- When Should I Consult a Vet About Coprophagia?
Why Do Puppies Eat Their Own Poo?
Puppies explore the world through their mouths, and faeces is no exception to their undiscriminating curiosity. In the first weeks of life, the mother dog eats her puppies’ faeces to keep the nest clean and protect against predators attracted by the smell. Puppies observe and may imitate this behaviour.
Nutritional factors can play a role. Puppies fed low-quality diets may not be absorbing all the nutrients from their food, leaving faeces that still smells appealing and food-like to them. Overfeeding can produce the same effect, as excess nutrients pass through undigested. Diets high in starches and fillers may be particularly problematic.
Enzymatic insufficiency, where the puppy’s digestive system does not produce adequate digestive enzymes, can leave partially digested food in faeces. This makes faeces genuinely nutritious from the puppy’s perspective. Breeds like German Shepherds are more prone to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which can manifest as coprophagia among other symptoms.
Is Poo Eating Dangerous for Puppies?
Eating their own fresh faeces is generally not harmful for healthy puppies, though it is understandably distressing for owners. The main risk is the transmission of intestinal parasites, particularly if the puppy eats faeces from other dogs who may be carrying worms, giardia, or coccidia.
Cat faeces poses additional risks as it may contain Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause illness in dogs. Horse and farm animal faeces may contain medications or parasites that are harmful to dogs. Fox faeces can carry various parasites and should definitely be avoided.
The social implications should not be overlooked either. A dog that eats faeces and then licks family members can transfer bacteria and parasites. Keeping up with regular worming treatments becomes especially important for dogs that engage in coprophagia, and good hygiene after handling is essential.
How Can I Stop My Puppy Eating Poo?
The most effective prevention is prompt clean-up. Remove faeces from your garden immediately after your puppy toilets, leaving no opportunity for consumption. During walks, keep your puppy on a lead in areas where other dogs have been and redirect their attention away from any faeces encountered.
A strong leave it command is invaluable. Train this command using high-value treats, starting with less tempting items and gradually building up to more challenging distractions. Reward your puppy generously for choosing to walk past faeces rather than investigate it. Consistent positive reinforcement is far more effective than punishment.
Review your puppy’s diet with your vet. Switching to a higher quality food with easily digestible protein sources often reduces coprophagia. Digestive enzyme supplements can help puppies that struggle to fully break down their food. Some owners find that adding a small amount of pineapple or courgette to meals makes faeces less appealing, though evidence for these home remedies is anecdotal.
When Should I Consult a Vet About Coprophagia?
While occasional coprophagia in puppies is common and usually resolves with maturity and management, certain situations warrant veterinary investigation. If your puppy suddenly starts eating faeces having never done so before, it could indicate a digestive issue, nutritional deficiency, or underlying health problem.
Puppies that compulsively seek out faeces despite adequate prevention measures, or those that eat their own faeces immediately upon production, may have a medical condition affecting digestion or nutrient absorption. Blood tests and faecal analysis can identify issues like pancreatic insufficiency, malabsorption, or parasite infections.
Behavioural coprophagia that persists past twelve months of age or is accompanied by other compulsive behaviours may benefit from assessment by a veterinary behaviourist. Stress, anxiety, and attention-seeking can drive persistent coprophagia. A behaviourist can identify emotional triggers and develop a comprehensive management plan that addresses the underlying motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for puppies to eat their own poo?
Yes, coprophagia is surprisingly common, affecting up to one in four dogs. It is particularly common in puppies under twelve months. Most puppies grow out of the behaviour with proper management and maturity.
Does pineapple stop puppies eating poo?
Some owners report that adding pineapple to meals makes faeces taste unpleasant and reduces coprophagia. The bromelain enzyme in pineapple may alter faecal taste. Results are anecdotal and vary between dogs, but it is safe to try in small amounts.
Can eating poo make my puppy sick?
Eating their own fresh faeces rarely causes illness, but eating other animals’ faeces can transmit parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Maintain regular worming and consult your vet if your puppy shows signs of illness after consuming faeces.
Should I punish my puppy for eating poo?
No, punishment is counterproductive. It can increase stress-related coprophagia and damage your bond with your puppy. Focus on prevention through prompt clean-up, lead management, and rewarding the leave it command.
What diet changes help stop coprophagia?
Switch to a high-quality, easily digestible diet with named protein sources. Adding digestive enzyme supplements can help. Ensure your puppy is fed appropriate portions for their age and size, as both underfeeding and overfeeding can contribute.
