What do I do if my dog ate my poop?

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Your Feces: Understanding and Managing Coprophagia

Discovering that your dog has eaten your feces can be shocking and unsettling. However, this behavior, known as coprophagia, is relatively common in the canine world. It's important to approach the situation calmly and understand the nature, causes, risks, and management strategies related to this behavior.

Understanding Coprophagia

Coprophagia refers to the consumption of feces. This may involve a dog eating its own feces or that of another animal or human. While disgusting to humans, it can be considered normal behavior for some dogs, particularly growing puppies or nursing mothers.

Common Reasons Dogs Eat Feces

• Puppy curiosity: Young dogs often explore the world using their mouths and may sample feces out of curiosity.
• Maternal instinct: Nursing mothers eat their puppies' waste to keep the area clean.
• Emulating behavior: Puppies may copy their mother’s actions, temporarily adopting the habit.
• Ancestral instincts: Some behavior may be inherited from wolves, who consume feces to reduce parasite spread in dens.
• Taste preference: Dogs may be drawn to the taste or makeup of feces, especially from other animals.

Abnormal or Concerning Causes

• Nutritional deficiencies: Poor diet, hunger, or lack of enzymes may lead dogs to seek nutrients elsewhere.
• Medical conditions: Disorders like diabetes, parasites, Cushing’s disease, or side effects from medication can increase appetite.
• Anxiety or stress: Dogs may eat stool out of anxiety or as a coping mechanism.
• Attention-seeking: If dogs receive a strong owner reaction, they may repeat the behavior to elicit attention.
• Boredom and isolation: A lack of mental stimulation increases the risk of coprophagia in under-occupied dogs.

Risks and Health Concerns

• Parasite transmission: Feces can harbor worms and protozoa that may harm your dog.
• Bacterial infections: Feces may contain harmful bacteria or viruses.
• Toxin exposure: Feces may include substances or medication residues that are toxic to dogs.
• Zoonotic risk: There’s a minor chance of infectious agent transmission from stools through dog-human interaction.

Immediate Steps After Your Dog Eats Human Feces

1. Stay calm: Reacting with anger or disgust may confuse your dog or reinforce the behavior.
2. Clean your dog: Wipe your dog’s mouth if safe and provide access to clean water.
3. Monitor health: Observe over the next 24–72 hours for vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, or appetite changes.
4. Contact your veterinarian: Describe the event and follow any professional health recommendations.

Preventing Future Occurrences

1. Veterinary check-up: Rule out diseases, deficiencies, or parasites.
2. Improved nutrition: Ensure well-balanced, high-quality meals on a schedule suited to your dog’s needs.
3. Environmental management: Remove stool promptly and restrict access to waste areas.
4. Positive reinforcement: Teach commands like "leave it" and provide rewards for avoiding feces.
5. Mental and physical stimulation: Engage your dog with toys, play, and exercise to alleviate boredom.
6. Avoid punishment: Negative reactions can worsen stress-related behaviors and fear.
7. Consider supplements: Products exist that intend to reduce the desire to eat feces. Use under veterinary guidance.

Special Tips for Multi-Dog Households and Puppies

• Multi-dog homes: Monitor interactions. Dogs commonly eat stools from others rather than their own.
• Puppies: Use frequent walks and immediate praise for appropriate elimination. Keep the area clean.
• Training: Maintain consistency and positivity in behavior training.

Consulting a Professional

When management and training do not help, or if your dog persistently seeks out feces, it may be time to consult a veterinary behaviorist. They can develop a tailored approach based on your dog’s health, temperament, and environment.

Key Takeaway

While upsetting, a dog eating feces—even human—can often be explained and managed. Focus on health checks, emotion-free reactions, and consistent training to reduce recurrence and ensure your dog stays healthy and happy.