How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop: Home Remedies

As a dog owner, there's a good chance you've dealt with your dog eating poop at some point and have inevitably wondered how to stop your dog from eating poop. While it's definitely not ideal, there are a few ways to try and stop your dog from doing this. 

In this article we discuss some home remedies that may help stop your dog from eating poop ranging from looking at their diet, their environment and some top tips on things to be aware of if this is a problem you're facing.

While it may be unpleasant to you, eating poop is actually normal behaviour for dogs. Dogs are actually descended from wolves, and in the wild wolves will eat the faeces of their packmates to get rid of any evidence of their prey.

However, while eating faeces may be normal for dogs, it's not necessarily healthy. Faeces can contain harmful bacteria that can make your dog sick so it's important to discourage your dog from eating poop. Learning more about why your dog eats poop can help you figure out the best way to stop the behaviour. 

If your dog is eating his own waste, it could be because they’re feeling stressed or anxious and if your dog is eating the faeces of other animals, they could be attracted to the taste or smell. In either case, providing your dog with plenty of mental and physical stimulation is important to keep them happy and healthy. With a little patience and understanding, you can help your dog break this unhealthy habit.

Being a dog owner, you know that dogs can sometimes be pretty weird at times. They might chase their tails, roll in the mud, or even eat poop. While the latter behaviour might gross you out, it's actually pretty common for dogs. Eating their own or other dogs' faeces (called coprophagia) is an unpleasant but common problem with dogs, especially puppies. In fact, about 25% of dogs eat poop on a regular basis. But why do they do it?

There are a few different reasons why your dog might be eating poop. Some of them are unconcerning, while others might indicate a more serious health problem. Let's take a look at some of the possible reasons behind this gross habit.

One possibility is that your dog is simply curious and wants to explore everything with their mouth. This is especially common in young puppies who are still learning about the world around them. If this is the case, then there's no need to worry; your dog will probably grow out of it as they mature. 

One way to help stop your dog from eating poop is by giving them a vitamin supplement. Supplements that contain vitamins A, D, and E, can help support a healthy digestive system. If your dog isn't getting enough of these vitamins in their diet, it could lead to cravings for stool. 

Another way to help prevent your dog from eating poop is by giving them an enzyme supplement. Enzymes are important for breaking down food so that the nutrients can be absorbed properly. If your dog isn't getting enough enzymes in their diet, they may turn to eating stool as a way to get those nutrients.

There are also products available that can make stool taste unpleasant for your dog. These products contain ingredients that dogs don't typically like, such as citrus or mint. When added to their diet, these products can help deter your dog from eating it by making your dog's poop taste terrible.

One of the best ways to prevent your dog from eating poop is to feed them high-quality food. A lot of times, dogs will eat poop because they are attracted to the smell of food. If you are feeding your dog high-quality food that they are not able to smell, then they are less likely to be attracted to faeces. 

Another reason why high-quality food is important is that some dogs will eat poop if they are not getting enough nutrients in their diet. By feeding your dog high-quality food, you can be sure that they are getting all of the nutrients they need and they will not be as attracted to eating faeces. 

You can also increase their fibre intake as most dogs that engage in coprophagia look for solidified or solid stools not runny and messy stool. Dogs will rarely eat soft, poorly formed stools or diarrhoea. 

Another way to stop your dog from eating poop is by preventing them from having access to it in the first place. 

• Pick up your dog's poop immediately after they go, then they will not have a chance to eat it. 
• Keep your dog on a lead when you are walking them so that they cannot wander off and find faeces to eat. 
• If you live in an area with wild animals, ensure that you keep your trash cans covered so that your dog cannot get into them and eat any poop that might be in there.

Adding apple cider vinegar to your dog's food can also help discourage them from eating poop. The apple cider vinegar changes the pH balance in your dog's digestive system, which makes it easier for them to absorb nutrients from their food. 

When their digestive system is working properly, they are less likely to be attracted to eating faeces. You can add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per 11.3 kg of body weight to your dog's food once per day. 

Another supplement that can help prevent your dog from eating poop is probiotics. Probiotics help keep your dog's digestive system in tip top condition so that they can absorb more nutrients. When your dog is getting all of the nutrients they need from their food, they will not be as likely to snack on faeces. 

Pumpkin is great for your dogs. Adding a pumpkin powder or puree to your dog’s food bowl each day can help with both constipation and diarrhoea, and may even promote urinary tract health. It is also another natural way that can help stop your dog from eating poop. 

Pumpkin contains fibre which helps regulate digestion and prevents gastrointestinal issues like constipation and diarrhoea. When your dog's digestive system is working properly, they will be less likely to eat faeces. 

One of the best ways to prevent your dog from eating poop is to keep your outside space clean. If you have a lot of faeces lying around, your dog is going to be more likely to eat it. Make sure to pick up your dog's faeces immediately and keep your garden free of any other poop. You could also keep your dog on a lead when you are outside so they cannot wander off and find something else to eat. You could also put vinegar or lemon juice on any poop you spot in your garden.