Why do puppies eat their poop?

Understanding why puppies eat their poop matters because it affects more than a messy yard: it touches the puppy’s health, your household hygiene, and the trust between you and your dog. When a puppy tastes feces, owners often react with disgust or anger, which can damage training progress. At the same time, the behavior may be harmless and temporary, or it may be a sign of an underlying medical or welfare problem that needs attention. The goal is simple: know when to prevent or train, when to investigate medically, and when a behavior change will protect family health and your bond with the dog.

Why this matters: how coprophagia affects health, hygiene and your bond with your puppy

Emotionally, coprophagia can be stressful. Guests may be turned off, children can be exposed to pathogens, and owners may lose confidence in house training. Socially, chronic stool-eating can limit where you take your dog and make routine care awkward. I typically see owners withdraw from parks or dog sitters because they worry about transmission risks.

The behavior is common: many puppies taste or eat feces at some point, especially during weaning and early exploration. That makes it likely to be a developmental phase for many young dogs, but not always. You should aim to prevent it when possible, diagnose any medical contributors, and train alternatives so the habit doesn’t stick. Immediate action is warranted if your puppy shows weight loss, ongoing diarrhea, blood in stool, or if the behavior persists into adulthood despite training and cleanup.

In a nutshell — the short explanation of why puppies eat poop

Coprophagia is the term for eating feces. In puppies it is usually driven by curiosity, exploration, a cleaning instinct learned from the mother, or by gastrointestinal issues that leave nutrient-rich material in the stool. Many puppies sample feces between about 2 and 6 months, and the behavior often decreases with maturity and consistent management. Persistent coprophagia in an adult dog is more likely to suggest a medical or chronic behavioral problem.

At a glance, the core causes include food-related or digestive problems, attention-seeking or learned behavior, and the natural scent attraction of feces. First-response measures for owners are straightforward: remove access to feces immediately, avoid punishing the puppy (which can make the problem worse), collect a fresh stool sample for your veterinarian, and start simple training—teach a reliable “leave it” and reward alternative behaviors.

Biology and communication — natural drives and what your puppy might be signaling

Some reasons puppies eat feces are functional and rooted in normal canine biology. Mother dogs routinely clean pups’ bedding and the puppy’s perianal area; that maternal cleaning is part of den hygiene and may lead puppies to copy the behavior. In a den environment, removing waste reduces smells that attract predators, and a young animal’s inclination to keep the area tidy may be an echo of that instinct.

Digestion plays a role too. If a puppy is not fully breaking down food, the stool can contain partially digested nutrients that are attractive to taste and smell. Conditions such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, certain intestinal parasites, or poor-quality diets may leave more unabsorbed fat or protein in feces. If the stool smells particularly strong of undigested food, that may suggest malabsorption and warrants veterinary investigation.

Olfactory cues are powerful. Dogs’ noses detect compounds we can’t, and some volatile molecules in feces may smell like a concentrated food signal. Puppies learning their world by mouth may be especially drawn to those scents. Coprophagia can also be learned: if a puppy gets attention after finding stool—even scolding—that reaction can reinforce the behavior. Likewise, dogs in stressful or understimulating environments may eat feces out of anxiety or boredom; in those cases, the action is self-reinforcing and linked to emotional state rather than nutrition alone.

When it happens: environmental triggers, routines and timing to watch for

Age and developmental windows matter. Many puppies begin sampling non-food items, including feces, at the time of teething and exploration, often between 6 and 20 weeks. During weaning, when mothers are still cleaning, puppies may copy maternal grooming. Later, adolescence can bring a resurgence as dogs test limits and respond to stress.

Stressors—new home, crate training, changes in household routine, or separation anxiety—can increase the likelihood of coprophagia. Boredom and lack of enrichment make oral exploration more likely. A cluttered yard, shared spaces with other animals, or access to public areas where other dogs defecate raises opportunity: more stools within reach means more chances to practice the behavior.

Timing matters for intervention. If the habit appears after a diet change, new medication, or a move, address those triggers first. If it starts after an illness or with loose stools, get a veterinary check. Environmental control—cleaning quickly and altering the context—often breaks the reinforcement cycle while you work on longer-term solutions.

Health risks and red flags — when to see your veterinarian

There are real health risks. Feces can carry parasites (roundworms, hookworms, Giardia), bacteria (Salmonella, Campylobacter), and other pathogens that may infect the puppy or spread to people. Toxins are less common but possible if the stool contains medication or poisons. Repeated ingestion of infected stool increases exposure risk.

Medical causes to suspect include parasitic infection, chronic gastrointestinal disease, enzyme insufficiency, and nutrient imbalances. Persistent coprophagia in an adult dog is more likely to suggest a medical problem or a long-standing behavioral issue that needs specialist help. Red flags that should prompt immediate veterinary attention are weight loss, bloody stools, persistent diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, or any sudden change in appetite—these signs suggest underlying disease rather than simple puppy curiosity.

Immediate steps you can take — practical actions for worried owners

1. Remove access immediately. Scoop feces from yard and walks as soon as possible each time. The fewer opportunities the puppy has, the faster the habit can be interrupted.

2. Collect a fresh stool sample and schedule a veterinary visit. Ask for a fecal test for parasites and a general check for signs of malabsorption. Your vet may recommend bloodwork or pancreatic testing if indicated.

3. Review diet and feeding routine. Make sure the food is age-appropriate, complete, and given in appropriate amounts. Some dogs benefit from more frequent, smaller meals so fewer nutrients pass unabsorbed. If malabsorption is suspected, your vet can recommend dietary trials or enzyme supplementation.

4. Use short-term behavior strategies. When you see the puppy approach stool, calmly interrupt and redirect to an alternate activity—fetch, chew toy, or a food puzzle—and reward the alternative. Do not physically punish; punishment can create anxiety that worsens the behavior.

5. Reinforce “leave it” and recall. Practice in low-distraction settings, then gradually increase difficulty. Reward consistent success. Reliable cueing reduces risky encounters during walks or in the yard.

6. Track progress. Keep a log of when incidents occur to spot patterns—time of day, following meals, after certain activities. Share this information with your vet or trainer to tailor interventions.

Training fixes and environment changes that actually reduce the behavior

Supervision is key until the puppy reliably ignores feces. Walk on leash in high-traffic areas so you can steer the dog away from stools. In the yard, use gates or temporary fencing to limit access to problem spots and remove other animals’ feces promptly.

Teaching “leave it” and strengthening recall are preventive tools that have lasting value. Use high-value rewards and practice increasingly challenging scenarios so the puppy learns the cue in real-world contexts. When unsupervised time is unavoidable, use a crate or secure den that is comfortable and appropriately sized; many puppies do not soil and then eat in a confined, clean sleeping area.

Reduce boredom with appropriate enrichment: rotate toys, introduce food puzzles, provide supervised chewing options, and maintain a predictable routine. Dogs that are mentally and physically satisfied are less likely to engage in undesirable oral exploration. If other animals use your space, consider scheduling yard time or barriers to prevent shared stool access.

Helpful tools, safe products and veterinary-approved aids

Simple tools make a big difference. A long-handled pooper-scoop or dedicated waste bin speeds removal and reduces contact. Dog waste disposal systems or sealed bags help keep smells contained. Enzymatic cleaners that break down organic odor can reduce the lingering cues that invite return visits to the same spot.

Vet-approved taste deterrents or supplements are available that may make feces unpalatable for a short period; results vary and they should be used under veterinary guidance. Avoid harsh, punitive devices. If a muzzle is considered to prevent scavenging, choose a basket-style muzzle that allows panting and drinking and only use it temporarily and with acclimation. For persistent cases, consult a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who can design a safe, evidence-based program.

References and trusted resources for further reading

• Your primary care veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, ACVB) — for individualized diagnosis and behavior plans.
• American Veterinary Medical Association: “Coprophagia in Dogs” — AVMA resources on behavior and public health considerations.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Coprophagia” — clinical overview of causes, diagnostics, and medical management.
• ASPCA Pro: “Why Dogs Eat Poop and How to Stop It” — practical behavior strategies and enrichment recommendations.
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior and Veterinary Parasitology review articles — peer-reviewed studies on coprophagia, malabsorption causes, and zoonotic risks (search these journals for recent reviews on canine coprophagia and fecal-transmitted parasites).