Why is my dog eating his own poop?

It could be any of the following: Instinctual Reasons: Your Dog Was Born to Eat Poop! Before dogs were domesticated they were scavengers, living off of whatever they could find. Dogs commonly fed on the waste of other animals (and other dogs) thousands of years ago. Poop eating may just be a remnant of dog history. read more

Also, check your dog’s stool regularly for parasites. Avoid punishment, because according to a study at University of California, Davis involving 1,500 Internet surveys of pet owners, it is ineffective. The study also found food additives used to stop poop eating are only effective up to 2 percent of the time. read more

An illness that changes the consistency or smell of the stool might make a dog want to eat his own stool. Sudden onset of coprophagia calls for a veterinary exam. Anxiety, Fear, and Stress: A dog in fear or under a great deal of stress may eat his own stool. read more