WHAT IS IT?

Coprophagia is eating poop, in this case, dogs eating dog feces - either their own or that of other dogs. It's a relatively common problem, with approximately 50% of dogs engaging in the behavior at least once. With the exception of a mother dog eating the feces of her puppies to keep the living area clean, it's generally considered an abnormal behavior. 

CAUSE

No one really knows the reason domestic dogs eat feces, but common theories include boredom, hunger/feeding schedule, or nutritional deficiency. However, studies done on the topic don't support these common theories. 

Instead, an interesting correlation has been noted between coprophagia and anxiety disorders, with separation anxiety being the most commonly noted anxiety disorder in studies of coprophagic dogs. This may indicate that stool eating is a pleasurable activity that temporarily alleviates stress. 

Another common finding was that dogs are more likely to start eating feces if another dog in the household does so, indicating coprophagia is a socially learned behavior. 

Feeding schedule and diet had no impact on the presence of coprophagy. The amount of environmental stimuli or human interaction also had no impact. 

RISK FACTORS

• neutering increases the prevalence of coprophagy in males (no effect in females), which could relate to decreased testosterone increasing anxiety  

• “greedy eaters" are more likely to be coprophagic than dogs who eat in a more relaxed manner

• multi-dog household 

• eating dirt and/or cat feces

• female dogs have a higher rate of coprophagia than males 

• anxiety or stress 

BREEDS

Breed correlation varied by study but included the following breeds/breed groups as having a higher rate of coprophagia: 

• hounds

• terriers

• shetland sheepdog 

• retrievers 

FACTORS THAT HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE PRESENCE OF COPROPHAGIA

• age of dog 

• feeding schedule 

• amount of environmental stimuli (boredom)

• amount of human interaction (exercise, training, play)

• diet 

TREATING COPROPHAGIA

Because the behavioral motivation is so poorly understood, treating coprophagia is challenging and often unsuccessful. One study looked at 2 different methods for treatment: training and products designed to deter stool eating*. They determined that the products had a success rate of only 0-2%, while training had a success rate of only 1-4%. The most successful method to prevent coprophagia appears to be preventing access to stool, which is a challenge for many pet owners.

One study suggests that if the behavior is compulsive and based in anxiety, then medications such as antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) would be more effective.

*The products tested were For-Bid, Deter, Dis-Taste, CoproBan, S.E.P., Stop Stool Eat, Stop Tablets, Potty Mouth, NaturVet Deter, Nasty Habit, and 21st Century. 

Sources: 

1. Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior Vol. 4, No. 1. 2010, Correlates of Coprophagy in the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) as Assessed by Owner Reports, Broox G. V. Boze, MS

2. Pilot study to identify risk factors for coprophagic behaviour in dogs, Joanne A.M. van der Borg and Lisette Graat, Wageningen University

3. The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy, Benjamin L. Hart, Lynette A. Hart, Abigail P. Thigpen, Alisha Tran, Melissa J. Bain, first published: 12 January 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.92

4. Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior Vol. 2, No. 1. 2008; A Comparison of Common Treatments for Coprophagy in Canis familiaris, Broox Boze, Department of Biology Colorado State University