Is Your Puppy Eating Poop?

One of the strangest experiences my wife (Alina) and I had with our french bulldog (Honey), was when she ate her own poop. We noticed that after she would poop, she’d go right back and eat it. Thus, leading to the question that you also have, why do puppies eat their poop?

At first, we thought she was broken. After much research and a lot of attempts we were thrilled to see that our French bulldog puppy eating own poop issue was resolved. This is what we learned with our Frenchie.

What Is Coprophagia in Puppies?

There’s a scientific name for this poop-eating habit— coprophagia (kop-ruh-fey-jee-uh) and also there are both behavioral and physiological reasons why some dogs view poop as a delicacy. This is common with puppies, essentially French bulldogs.

Coprophagia Treatment For Dogs

So now that you’ve got a better idea of what’s going on, you’re probably already brainstorming ways to help your pup stop the poop-eating madness. But before we jump into fixes, it helps to understand why they’re doing it in the first place. Once you know the reason, it’s a whole lot easier to tackle the habit head-on.

Why Do Puppies Eat Their Poop? Common Reasons for Puppy Eating Poop

Now that you have figured out that your pup is eating poop, the real question is, why?

Here are a few reasons why they do this:

• Learned Behavior: Sometimes, mom dogs unknowingly pass down some less-than-charming habits.

• Boredom or Stress: A bored or stressed pup will find... creative ways to cope.

• Not getting enough food: If they’re still hungry, they might start looking for “seconds” elsewhere.

• Nutritional Deficiencies: Missing nutrients can send them sniffing out anything that feels like a supplement.

• Force of Habit: For some pups, it’s simply a weird little routine they picked up and stuck with.

• A Need For Attention: Some dogs quickly learn that poop-eating = instant human reaction.

There is hope. These are ways that you can stop your puppy eating poop. It might feel and seem like a hopeless endeavor. This will take time and a lot of patience. Believe me, I know.

Trying to pick up the poop before your puppy eats it may seem impossible, but let's get to the root of the problem. This problem is not only nasty, but it also leads to digestive problems and exposes them to parasites and harmful bacteria.

How To Stop Puppy From Eating Poop: Trying Home Remedies

1. Focusing On Nutrition

One of the first things we looked into for coprophagia treatment for dogs was what our puppy was eating. Turns out, nutrition plays a huge role in some of those... less adorable habits. Before anything else, it’s worth checking what’s actually going into their bowl.

Here's what we found helped:

• Growing puppies need specific nutrients, and if their food is packed with fillers, they’ll look elsewhere to meet those needs. Unfortunately, this often leads to them eating their own poop (gross, but true).

• Some adult dog foods may lack hydrochloric acid, which can cause digestive issues. A simple fix? Try adding apple cider vinegar to their meals, about one teaspoon per 25 pounds of body weight.

• Another helpful digestive aid is raw zucchini, a great first choice to support digestion naturally.

• Make sure your pup has constant access to clean water, as dehydration can also trigger coprophagia dog food problems.

• Space out meals to avoid hunger gaps that could lead to scavenging.

• Talk to your vet about a multivitamin or supplement if your dog’s food isn’t hitting all the marks.

• Rotate proteins occasionally (like chicken, beef, fish, or lamb) to offer a broader nutrient profile.

Here are some products I would recommend.

• Skin & Coat by Natural Dog Company

• Probiotic Bites by Zesty Paws

• Multivitamin by Natural Dog Company

2. Breaking The Habit

I noticed that puppies usually poop 10-15 minutes after they eat. It’s important to see and understand the behavior behind French bulldog puppy eating poop. Being there while they are in the action will help stop the habit. By calling them, making a noise, or tapping your foot can distract them from their usual routine of turning around and eating their poop. This will cause them to change their action to doing something else. Over time you will see how they will not mind the poop so much but will find something else to do.

Here are some treats that can help refocus your Frenchie’s attention.

• Soft Puppy Bites

• Zuke’s Mini

3. Taste Aversion Treatment

There is another way to approach this problem. Making the poop not as appetizing as the puppy currently finds it to be. Once the puppy puts the poop in its mouth and then finds it to be not what it was before can be a big turn off for them. JJ Diaz of Animal Crackers also has a tip up his sleeve to help the dog that eats stool. If everything else is in tip-top shape, “the way you break that habit is to feed him pineapple snacks. It messes up the flavor with acidity, and your dog stops eating it 90% of the time.”

Taste Aversion suggestions:

• Naturvet

• Zesty Paws

Final Thoughts: You Can Stop This!

This is a common issue for Frenchies, but don’t worry, there’s hope. Take it one step at a time, and remember, you’re not alone in facing this challenge.

Speaking from experience, with the right approach and a little patience, your pup can break the habit. Understanding why do puppies eat their poop is the first step to finding the right solution and helping your dog move past this behavior. Stay consistent, and you’ll see positive changes soon!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why do puppies eat their poop?

I noticed that puppies can eat their poop for a few reasons. Sometimes it’s boredom, or they just don’t feel fully satisfied with their food. Some puppies also copy their mom’s behavior, and others might be trying to fill a nutritional gap. It's a common behavior, but definitely something we can work on!

Q: Why does my puppy eat his poop?

If your puppy is eating his poop, it might be because he’s still figuring things out. Puppies can do this out of curiosity or to get more nutrients if their food isn’t cutting it. Sometimes it’s just a phase, but being aware of why your puppy might be doing it helps you get on the right path to stop it.

Q: How long after eating does a puppy poop?

From my experience, puppies usually poop about 10-15 minutes after they eat. It’s pretty predictable, and it’s important to know this when trying to correct the behavior. Once you know the pattern, you can be there to prevent them from eating their poop and redirect their attention somewhere else.

Q: Can my dog get sick from eating her puppy’s poop?

Yes, unfortunately, eating poop can expose your dog to germs, parasites, and other health issues. It’s a good idea to monitor your dog if she’s eating her puppy’s poop. Catching it early helps keep her healthy, and the faster you stop the habit, the better for her.

Q: Is it normal for a puppy to eat its poop?

It’s actually pretty normal for puppies to eat their poop. It’s one of those quirky things they tend to do while they’re learning about the world. Usually, it’s harmless, but if it becomes a habit, it’s worth addressing early on.

Q: What is the treatment for coprophagia in dogs?

The key to treating coprophagia is understanding why it’s happening. Start by making sure your pup is eating a well-balanced diet. Also, distract them during those moments they’re about to eat their poop, calling them over, tapping your foot, or making a noise can help. Over time, you’ll see they’re more interested in doing something else instead of eating their poop. Stay consistent, and they’ll likely grow out of the behavior.