# How to Stop Coprophagia in Dogs: Deterrents and Treatment Coprophagia in dogs treatment works best when you combine management, training, and a check for underlying medical problems. Most dogs eat stool for behavioral reasons, and a smaller number do it because of a health issue. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Most stool eating in dogs is behavioral, not a sign of a nutrient deficiency, and healthy dogs that eat stool do not show major differences in gut bacteria or pathogen carriage compared with dogs that do not [1]. - Rule out medical causes first with your veterinarian, especially if the behavior started suddenly in an adult dog. - Management is the fastest fix: pick up stool immediately, supervise outdoor time, and keep the yard clean. - Training and enrichment (teaching a strong "leave it," plus more exercise and mental work) change the behavior long term. - Deterrents and supplements have weak evidence. Some owners report success, but no product works for every dog, and none replaces training. ## Why Dogs Eat Stool ### Normal Reasons Coprophagia is common in dogs, and researchers still do not fully understand its causes [2]. Several normal explanations exist. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and stool is just another object to investigate. Many puppies outgrow this by adulthood. Some dogs learn it from watching other dogs. If one dog in a household eats stool, others often copy the behavior. Dogs that are underfed, fed an unbalanced diet, or fed on a strict schedule that leaves them hungry may scavenge more, including stool. Mother dogs eat their puppies' waste to keep the den clean. This is normal maternal behavior and usually stops after weaning. ### What the Research Says About Health Effects Owners often worry that stool eating harms their dog's gut. The evidence so far is reassuring for healthy dogs. A study of 44 clinically healthy dogs found no significant differences in fecal microbiota composition or in carriage of common enteropathogens (including *Clostridium perfringens*, *Clostridioides difficile*, *Campylobacter jejuni*, *Salmonella* species, and canine parvovirus) between coprophagic and non-coprophagic dogs [1]. Another study of 12 healthy dogs found no differences in most measures of nutrient digestibility, fecal pH, or fermentative metabolites between dogs that ate stool and dogs that did not [2]. The one difference found involved a calculated value, and the authors cautioned against overinterpreting it [2]. This does not mean stool eating is harmless. It means that in healthy adult dogs on complete diets, the behavior itself does not appear to damage the gut microbiome in measurable ways. ### Why It Becomes a Habit Every time your dog eats stool, the behavior gets practiced and reinforced. If stool tastes interesting, if eating it earns attention (even scolding), or if it relieves boredom, the habit strengthens. That is why punishment tends to backfire and why consistent management matters so much. If you want a deeper look at the many possible triggers, see [Why Is My Dog Eating Stools? Coprophagia Causes and Deterrents](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-eating-stools-coprophagia-causes-and-deterrents). ## Medical Causes to Rule Out Behavior is the most common explanation, but your veterinarian should check for medical problems, especially in these situations: - Sudden onset in an adult dog that never did this before - Weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in appetite - Increased hunger or food seeking - Stool eating that continues despite good management and training Conditions your veterinarian may consider include intestinal parasites, malabsorption disorders, diabetes, thyroid disease, Cushing's disease, and conditions that increase appetite. A physical exam, fecal testing, and blood work are common first steps. Your veterinarian calculates any medication dose from your dog's weight and health status. Never give a human medication or supplement without veterinary guidance. ## When Coprophagia Becomes a Problem Stool eating is a problem when it affects health, safety, or your household. - Your dog eats stool from other animals, which raises the risk of parasites and infections. - Your dog is on a prescription diet or medication, and eating stool changes what they absorb. - Your dog has a medical condition that makes stool eating riskier. - The behavior causes vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. - Your dog guards stool or shows anxiety around it. - The behavior strains your relationship with your dog or makes walks stressful. If any of these apply, treat it as a medical and behavioral issue at the same time. ## Step-by-Step Plan to Stop Stool Eating ### Step 1: Manage the Environment Management prevents practice, and less practice means a weaker habit. - Pick up stool in the yard immediately, before your dog can reach it. - Walk your dog on a leash so you control access to stool on the route. - Keep the litter box out of reach. Many dogs eat cat stool because it is high in protein. - Supervise all outdoor time for the first several weeks. - If you have multiple dogs, clean the yard several times a day. ### Step 2: Teach a Rock-Solid "Leave It" This is the single most useful training skill for this problem. 1. Start indoors with a low-value treat in your closed hand. 2. Say "leave it," wait for your dog to look away, then reward from your other hand. 3. Practice with items on the floor, then in the yard. 4. Add distance and distractions slowly. 5. Reward every correct choice with something your dog loves more than stool. Keep sessions short, and end on success. If your dog already has strong training habits, the same principles used in [Dog Training Techniques to Stop Jumping](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-training-techniques-to-stop-jumping) apply here: reward the behavior you want, and remove reinforcement for the behavior you do not want. ### Step 3: Increase Exercise and Enrichment Boredom and excess energy drive many repetitive behaviors. A tired, mentally satisfied dog is less likely to scavenge. - Add a daily walk or extend existing walks. - Use food puzzles, snuffle mats, and scatter feeding. - Teach new tricks or enroll in a training class. - Rotate toys so they stay interesting. - Give your dog safe chew items. ### Step 4: Review the Diet Feed a complete and balanced diet appropriate for your dog's life stage. If your dog seems constantly hungry, ask your veterinarian whether the amount, feeding schedule, or diet needs adjustment. Do not switch to a homemade diet without veterinary guidance, because unbalanced diets can cause real harm. ### Step 5: Try Deterrents and Supplements With Realistic Expectations This is where marketing often outruns evidence. Products marketed for coprophagia in dogs include: - Food additives that claim to make stool taste bad - Chewable supplements containing enzymes, probiotics, or herbs - Powders mixed into food Some owners report improvement with these products. However, the studies available on coprophagic dogs do not show that stool eating changes gut bacteria, pathogen carriage, or most digestive measures in healthy dogs [2][1]. That means there is no strong evidence that a gut-based supplement fixes the behavior by correcting an internal imbalance. If you want to try a deterrent or supplement, treat it as one part of the plan, not the whole plan. Ask your veterinarian before starting any product, especially if your dog takes medication or has a health condition. Avoid any product that promises a guaranteed cure. ### Step 6: Be Consistent Behavior change takes weeks to months, not days. Keep management in place even after the behavior improves. If you relax too early, the habit often returns. ## What Not to Do ### Do Not Punish Your Dog Scolding, yelling, or physical punishment does not teach your dog what to do instead. It can make your dog eat stool faster to avoid being caught, or it can damage your relationship and increase anxiety. Anxiety can make the behavior worse. ### Do Not Rely on Myths - "My dog eats stool because of a nutrient deficiency." This is a common belief, but it is not supported as a general explanation. Most dogs on complete diets that eat stool are not deficient. - "Pineapple, pumpkin, or spinach makes stool taste bad." These are popular home remedies with no reliable evidence. They are generally safe in small amounts, but they are not a treatment. - "My dog does it to get back at me." Dogs do not plan revenge. The behavior has a function, even if we do not always know what it is. - "It is just a phase." Sometimes it is, especially in puppies. In adult dogs, it usually needs a plan. ### Do Not Skip the Vet Visit If the behavior is new, frequent, or paired with any physical sign, a veterinary exam comes first. Behavior plans work best when medical causes are ruled out. ## When to Involve a Veterinarian or Behavior Professional Contact your veterinarian if: - The behavior starts suddenly in an adult dog - Your dog shows vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or appetite changes - You suspect parasites or your dog eats stool from unknown animals - Your dog is on medication or a prescription diet - You have tried management and training for several weeks with no improvement Ask for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist or a certified applied animal behaviorist if: - Your dog shows anxiety, guarding, or aggression around stool - The behavior happens constantly despite good management - You feel overwhelmed or the behavior is affecting your dog's quality of life A behavior professional can build a plan tailored to your dog. The same is true for other behavior problems, such as nipping, which is covered in [How to Stop a Dog from Nipping: Training for Puppies and Adults](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/dog-nipping). ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can diagnose your dog. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your dog, ask about the full history, and run tests when needed. Call your veterinarian the same day if your dog eats stool and then shows repeated vomiting, diarrhea, or refuses food. Go to an emergency clinic now if your dog shows severe vomiting, a bloated or painful abdomen, collapse, weakness, or signs of poisoning. If you suspect poisoning, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Schedule a routine visit if the behavior is new, getting worse, or has lasted more than a few weeks despite your efforts. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does my dog eat stool because of a missing nutrient? Usually no. Most dogs that eat stool are on complete diets and are not deficient. A small number of dogs may have a medical condition that increases appetite, which is why a veterinary exam matters if the behavior is new or comes with other signs. ### Do coprophagia supplements actually work? The evidence is weak. Some owners see improvement, but studies of healthy coprophagic dogs have not shown meaningful differences in gut bacteria, pathogen carriage, or most digestive measures [2][1]. Supplements may help some dogs, but they should never replace management and training. ### Is eating stool dangerous for my dog? For a healthy dog eating its own fresh stool, the risk is usually low. The risk rises when your dog eats stool from other animals, which can carry parasites and infections. Talk to your veterinarian about parasite prevention and screening. ### Will my dog outgrow this behavior? Puppies often do, especially with good management. Adult dogs usually need a structured plan. If the behavior is new in an adult dog, have your veterinarian check for medical causes first. ### Can I stop this without medication? Yes, in many cases. Management, a strong "leave it" cue, more exercise, and enrichment resolve or greatly reduce the behavior. Medication is sometimes used for underlying anxiety or compulsive behavior, and only a veterinarian should prescribe it. ## Related Articles - [Why Is My Dog eating stools? Coprophagia Causes and Deterrents](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-eating-stools-coprophagia-causes-and-deterrents) - [Dog Reverse Sneezing How To Stop](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/dog-reverse-sneezing-how-to-stop) - [Dog Training Techniques To Stop Jumping](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/dog-training-techniques-to-stop-jumping) - [How to Stop a Dog from Nipping: Training for Puppies and Adults](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/dog-nipping) - [Stop Heat Stroke In Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/stop-heat-stroke-in-dogs) - [How To Fix Dog Behavior Problems](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/how-to-fix-dog-behavior-problems) - [Coprophagia in Senior Dogs: Why Older Dogs Eat Poop](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/coprophagia-in-senior-dogs) - [How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Everything](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/stop-dog-eating-everything) - [How to Stop Food Aggression in Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/stop-dog-food-aggression) - [Canine Intestinal Parasites: Treatment Protocols and Prevention](/knowledge/parasites/pet-parasites/treat-dog-intestinal-parasites) ## References 1. [Coprophagy in Healthy Dogs Does Not Alter Fecal Core Microbiota or Increase Carriage of Enteropathogens](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42738503/). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2026. 2. [Evaluation of the Influence of Coprophagic Behavior on the Digestibility of Dietary Nutrients and Fecal Fermentation Products in Adult Dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36548846/). Veterinary sciences, 2022. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: Canine Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)