Why dogs eat poop
Dogs want clean spaces to play and live as much as you do. And their most obvious way to rid the environment of waste is by eating it.
When a mother gives birth to her puppies, they don't know anything about using the bathroom, so a mother will eat the puppy’s feces to keep their new home clean.
It's a nature's way of keeping the puppies free from disease and a mother's way of protecting her young.
Eating fecal droppings is also a way of obtaining key nutrients.
While we may view poop as dangerous, it’s not as scary as we think.
While eating poop from sick animals can be an issue, as it contains viruses, parasites and bacteria…
…healthy poop often contains harmless bacteria, water, and some undigested food. Poop can be nutritious and help reset the gut bacteria to healthy levels.
And you probably have noticed some dogs find horse manure and goose droppings particularly appealing. This is because the manure of herbivores is full of enzymes and partially digested protein, which can be beneficial for a dog’s digestive system.
If your dog is eating poop, there might be some nutrients missing from their diet.
Sometimes switching to a healthier dog food diet is the best way to fix a stool eating problem.
Some dogs may also start to eat their own poop because of environmental stress or anxiety.
Studies have shown that dogs who are kept alone in kennels or basements are more like to eat poop than those dogs who live close to their people.
