Why does My Dog Eat Poo?

My Dog Eats Poop… Here’s What I’ve Learned (as a Dog Groomer)

Let’s get real for a second—if you’ve ever caught your dog mid-mouthful of poop, you know the feeling. That mix of shock, horror, and the instant need to scrub their mouth and your memory clean.

The first time I saw my own dog do it, I was out on a walk, enjoying the fresh air, when I turned around and—yep—she was having a little roadside snack that I really didn’t approve of.

As a dog groomer, I’ve seen and heard it all. Clients often ask, “Why is my dog doing this? Is something wrong with them?!” So today, I’m sharing not just what I’ve experienced personally, but also what I’ve learned through my training and time working with dogs every day.

Spoiler: it’s more common than you think—and yes, there are things you can do about it.

So, Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

There’s actually a name for this behaviour: coprophagia. It might sound scientific, but in simple terms, it means your dog’s got a habit of eating faeces—whether it’s their own, another dog’s, or even the cat’s.

As gross as it is to us, it’s pretty normal for dogs, especially puppies. Around 1 in 4 dogs have been known to eat poop at some point in their lives. Some grow out of it. Others don’t.

Here are a few of the reasons I’ve come across, both in training and real-world experience:

1. They Just Genuinely Like It

Yep, some dogs just find poop appealing. They’re not being rebellious or weird—they’re just being dogs. Often, they’re drawn to stools that are fresh and firm. (Sorry if you were eating while reading this.)

They have a different sense of smell and taste than we do, and sometimes stool still contains bits of undigested food or nutrients, which they can pick up on. To them, it’s like a weird little snack with extra flavour.

2. They Learned It From Mum

In the early stages of life, mother dogs instinctively clean up after their puppies—including licking and even eating their faeces. It keeps the area clean and helps protect the litter from predators in the wild.

Puppies often mimic this behaviour. Most grow out of it when they’re weaned and more independent, but some dogs carry the habit into adulthood.

3. They’re Hungry or Food-Obsessed

Some dogs are just very food-motivated. In these cases, eating poop might be more about hunger than curiosity. I always tell clients to consider:

• Are you feeding your dog enough?

• Is their food high-quality and satisfying?

• Are they sticking to a regular feeding schedule?

If they’re constantly scavenging or eating poo around mealtimes, they might just be trying to fill a gap.

4. Boredom or Anxiety

In my grooming studio, I often see behavioural patterns that go beyond just what’s happening on the table. Dogs who are under-stimulated, left alone for long periods, or dealing with anxiety can develop habits like coprophagia.

Sometimes it’s boredom. Other times, it’s a self-soothing mechanism.

Adding mental and physical enrichment to their day—like scent games, interactive toys, or a bit of training—can make a big difference.

5. There Can Be Medical Reasons

While it’s often behavioural, there are a few medical issues that can lead to poop eating, such as:

• Digestive problems

• Increased appetite from conditions like diabetes or thyroid issues

• Worm infestations

• Cognitive changes in older dogs

If you’ve ruled out the usual causes and your dog’s behaviour suddenly changes, it’s worth investigating further. As a groomer, I always advise owners to pay attention to these red flags—and when needed, check in with a vet for peace of mind.

What About Cat Poop?

Ah yes, the litter tray buffet. This one’s incredibly common. Cat faeces has a high protein content, and some dogs just can’t resist it.

The fix? Simple environmental management:

• Clean the tray frequently

• Move it somewhere the dog can’t access (e.g., behind a baby gate or on a raised surface)

• Try a covered litter box with a small cat-sized entry

• 
  

How I Got My Dog to Stop

It took patience, but I’ve made big progress with my own dog—and helped clients do the same. Here’s what really helped:

• Training a solid “Leave it” and “Come” – These commands are essential, especially on walks.

• Leash walks in high-risk areas – Until training sticks, keeping them on a lead helps.

• Distractions – Giving my dog something else to carry (like a toy or ball) helped redirect that mouthy curiosity.

• Immediate clean-up at home – I don’t give her a chance to snack on her own mess.

• Praise over punishment – Rewarding her when she doesn’t eat poop is way more effective than getting angry when she does.

• More enrichment and attention – Boredom was definitely part of the issue, so I added more mental stimulation throughout her day.

Some owners try adding things like pineapple or courgette to meals (to make the poop taste bad), but the science behind that is pretty flimsy. It might work for some, but I wouldn’t count on it alone.

Cleaning Up After a Poop-Eater

If your dog’s just had a snack you didn’t approve of, here’s what I do:

• Offer water and a bit of food to flush their mouth

• Wipe around their muzzle with a clean, damp cloth

• Use a dog-safe toothbrush if needed (never human toothpaste!)

• Give them a dental chew for good measure

• And of course—no kisses for a while

• 
  

Winter “Poopsicles”

A weird but true observation: some dogs that ignore poop most of the year suddenly become interested in it during winter. Frozen stools are firmer and easier to pick up, making them a tempting snack. And with snow on the ground, they’re easier to spot.

So if the habit returns in colder months, this might be why!

Final Thoughts

As a groomer, I’ve learned that poop-eating is more common than people realise—and it’s rarely a sign that something is “wrong” with your dog. It's one of those things that’s perfectly natural for them, even if it's totally disgusting to us.

The good news? With consistency, patience, and the right training tools, most dogs can grow out of it or learn to ignore it.

And if nothing else, we can all agree on one thing: kisses are strictly off-limits after a snack like that.