What To Put In Dog Food To Stop Eating Poop?

Dogs sometimes eat feces for a mix of medical, nutritional, and learned reasons, so targeted changes to food and management can help stop the behavior.

1. Causes of Coprophagia

Understanding whether the driver is medical or behavioral directs the correct intervention.

Medical drivers include gastrointestinal disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, metabolic disorders, and parasite infections; puppies under 6 months are especially likely to sample feces as part of exploration and immaturity of gut function ^[1].

Behavioral and environmental drivers include learned scavenging, attention-seeking, stress, and restricted access to enrichment; certain breeds and dogs experiencing frequent yard access to other animals’ stools are at higher risk, and seasonal or household stressors often precipitate episodes ^[2].

Poor digestibility or gaps in nutrient absorption can leave more undigested protein, fat, and carbohydrates in the stool; diets with apparent digestibility under 70% tend to produce more residual nutrients that may attract scrounging dogs ^[2].

2. Veterinary Assessment First

Rule out illness, malabsorption, or parasites before changing food so a treatable condition is not masked.

Practical diagnostics commonly include fecal flotation with centrifugation, fecal antigen or PCR panels for pathogens, serum tests for pancreatic function (trypsin-like immunoreactivity or cobalamin), thyroid screening, and a CBC/chemistry profile to evaluate systemic disease ^[3].

If stool findings are inconsistent, collect 2–3 fresh fecal samples spaced 24–48 hours apart to improve detection of intermittent parasites or shedding, and bring refrigerated samples or a photo of the stool appearance to the appointment ^[3].

Consider referral diagnostics such as abdominal ultrasound or specialized pancreatic testing when initial screening is inconclusive or if the dog has weight loss despite a good appetite ^[3].

3. Upgrade Base Diet: Protein, Fat, Digestibility

Feeding a high-quality, highly digestible diet reduces undigested nutrients that can encourage coprophagia.

Choose complete diets that list a named animal protein (for example “chicken” or “salmon”) as the first ingredient and target apparent protein digestibility above 80% whenever possible to limit nutrient-rich residues in feces ^[4].

Energy and fat needs vary by life stage; an average adult maintenance formula often provides about 20–30 kcal per pound per day (44–66 kcal/kg/day) depending on activity and body condition, and growth or performance diets may be higher—adjust portions to keep a lean body condition score ^[4].

Avoid inexpensive, filler-heavy foods that rely on unspecified “meat meals” and contain high levels of fermentable fiber or low-quality carbohydrate, since these can increase stool volume and palatability to scavenging dogs ^[4].

4. Digestive Enzymes and Pancreatic Support

Supplemental digestive enzymes can improve nutrient absorption if enzyme insufficiency or poor digestion is suspected.

For suspected exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or poor digestion, pancreatic enzyme powders are sometimes dosed in the range of 1,000–2,000 lipase units per kg body weight per meal or according to manufacturer and veterinary guidance; veterinary supervision is required for appropriate product selection and monitoring ^[1].

Plant-based enzyme blends (amylase, protease, lipase equivalents) may help marginally digestible diets, but evidence and product quality vary widely; trial use should include close monitoring of stool quality and appetite ^[5].

Expect stool changes within 7–14 days if enzyme support is effective, and stop or adjust dosing if the dog develops vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite and consult the veterinarian promptly ^[1].

5. Probiotics and Prebiotics for Gut Health

Modulating gut flora with probiotics and prebiotics can improve digestion and reduce malodorous stools that attract dogs.

Evidence-based probiotic dosing frequently ranges from about 1×10^8 to 1×10^10 colony-forming units (CFU) per day for dogs, with strain selection (for example Enterococcus faecium or specific Lactobacillus strains) guided by product support and clinical response ^[5].

Prebiotic fibers such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and certain beet pulp blends act as substrates for beneficial bacteria; synbiotic products combine probiotics and prebiotics and are often trialed for 4–8 weeks to assess improvement in stool consistency and odor ^[5].

Look for objective signs of improvement—firmer stools, reduced fecal odor, and decreased interest in feces—over a 4–8 week trial before deciding on continuation ^[5].

6. Fiber and Stool-Bulkers (Pumpkin, Psyllium)

Soluble and insoluble fibers alter stool texture and transit time, making feces less attractive and easier to manage.

Common home additions include canned plain pumpkin and psyllium husk; typical psyllium dosing is about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight (approximately 0.1–0.2 g/kg) once daily, and canned pumpkin often uses 1–4 tablespoons per meal depending on size and response—introduce slowly to avoid gas or constipation ^[6].

Beet pulp and chicory root (rich in inulin) are frequently used in commercial diets as moderate, fermentable fibers that increase stool bulk without excessive gas when included at controlled levels ^[6].

Monitor for increased flatulence, looseness, or reduced appetite after adding fiber; if adverse effects occur, reduce the amount and consult your veterinarian for alternatives ^[6].

7. Taste Aversions and Commercial Stool Deterrents

Adding safe taste deterrents or using commercial products can make feces unpalatable and interrupt the behavior while working on underlying causes.

Over-the-counter additives marketed to deter coprophagia typically contain oxidized protein derivatives or bittering agents; clinical evidence for long-term success is limited and products may be best used as part of a multi-pronged approach rather than as a sole solution ^[2].

Some homemade approaches (for example small amounts of pineapple or canned pumpkin) are anecdotally reported to change fecal odor, but safety, palatability, and gastrointestinal tolerance vary and such methods should be used cautiously and briefly while addressing medical and behavioral drivers ^[2].

Short-term use of deterrents while implementing training and diet changes is reasonable, but avoid long-term reliance on unproven additives without veterinary approval ^[2].

8. Micronutrients and Specific Supplement Corrections

Correcting vitamin, mineral, or fatty acid deficiencies may address physiological drivers of coprophagia.

B-complex vitamins and zinc are commonly considered when a deficiency is suspected; typical multivitamin products provide multiple nutrients at label doses, but targeted supplementation should be based on documented deficiency or veterinary recommendation to avoid overdose ^[4].

Essential fatty acids (omega-3 EPA/DHA) at therapeutic doses (for example 75–100 mg combined EPA+DHA per 10 lb body weight, per product recommendations) support skin and gut health, yet dosing and source purity differ between products and warrant veterinary guidance ^[4].

When using multivitamins vs targeted supplements, prefer veterinary-formulated products and confirm dosing especially for small dogs and puppies to prevent iatrogenic toxicity ^[4].

9. Feeding Strategy and Portion Control

Meal timing, portioning and form can reduce opportunity and physiological urge to scavenge stools.

Scheduled meals given 2–3 times daily (rather than free-feeding) reduce foraging time and maintain predictable digestion; consider using interactive feeders or food puzzles to increase feeding time per meal and reduce scavenging opportunities ^[3].

Remove stool promptly from the environment—daily yard checks and scooping immediately after defecation drastically lower access and the chance for the dog to practice the behavior ^[3].

Top-dressing meals with a small amount of a palatable, highly digestible protein (for example a tablespoon of cooked lean meat) can reduce the drive to scavenge when used short-term and under portion control so total daily calories remain appropriate ^[4].

10. Behavior Training and Environmental Management

Combine dietary fixes with training and management to break learned patterns and prevent access to feces.

• Use supervised outdoor time and leash control during toilet routines to allow immediate correction and removal when the dog shows interest in stool ^[2].
• Teach reliable “leave it” and recall cues through positive reinforcement and reward-based training, and redirect interest toward enrichment or chews when the dog signals foraging behavior ^[2].
• For severe or persistent cases, consider temporary management tools (muzzles for safety, tethers during yard time) and refer to a certified behaviorist when training progress stalls ^[2].

Enrichment alternatives—scent work, food-dispensing toys, and increased exercise—help address boredom or anxiety drivers and reduce the time available for coprophagic practice ^[2].

Common supplemental options, typical dosing ranges, and clinical notes for dogs with coprophagia

Supplement	Typical dose (US units)	Notes	Primary source
Pancreatic enzyme powder	~1,000–2,000 lipase units/kg/meal	Only under veterinary supervision; monitor stool	merckvetmanual.com
Probiotic (species-specific)	1×10^8–1×10^10 CFU/day	Choose strain-backed products; 4–8 week trial	ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Psyllium husk	1 tsp per 10 lb body weight	Mix with water; introduce gradually	wsava.org
Canned plain pumpkin	1–4 tbsp per meal (size-dependent)	Provides soluble fiber; watch for changes in stool	vcahospitals.com

11. Sources

• merckvetmanual.com — clinical reference and diagnostics guidance.
• vcahospitals.com — client-facing clinical summaries on coprophagia and home management.
• aaha.org — nutrition and practice guidelines covering diagnostics and feeding plans.
• avma.org — veterinary nutrition policy and supplement safety resources.
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov — peer-reviewed studies on probiotics and gut health in dogs.
• wsava.org — world small animal veterinary association recommendations on fiber and nutritional strategies.