Dear Doctor: I have a terrible problem with my dog, as he has started to eat his own feces this winter. Why does he do this, and is there anything that can be done to stop him? - Angie in Stevens Point
Answer: Unfortunately, this is a rather common problem among dogs, otherwise known as coprophagy. I applaud you for asking, since most people are too embarrassed to talk about it. I am not sure how old your dog is, but I do tend to see a higher incidence of this type of behavior among puppies that are raised exclusively in kennels or cages by a pet store or breeder. In these dogs, it is generally a means to keep their immediate area clean, and the behavior persists because it is learned at such a young age.
In other dogs, it is often assumed that the behavior is associated with a nutritional deficiency. The deficiency could stem from a poor quality dog food, feeding too few calories each day, or an actual digestive or metabolic problem in the particular pet. Careful evaluation of the type of food and the schedule of the meals is often a good starting point. If everything seems adequate, then a general dewormer is often prescribed to see if this will resolve the problem.
When the pet has a history of chronic diarrhea, or if they seem underweight, then basic laboratory screening tests and a gastrointestinal blood profile are recommended. These tests may reveal a medical problem, or an inability to properly digest the food regardless of the amount offered. In these patients, addressing the underlying problem may resolve the activity of eating feces.
I also have seen this behavior in pets that are taking certain medications, such as high doses of corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone). In these pets, the appetite is stimulated by the medication, even when appropriate calories are fed each day. Typically, this behavior will subside if the dose of the medication can be reduced.
Regrettably, I have found a fair number of pets that start to eat their own feces, yet they were not raised in a kennel or cage, and they do not have a nutritional or medical issue. In these patients, I believe they are drawn to a scent from the feces, try it, and actually like the taste of it. Unfortunately, I believe this scenario represents the majority of pets that start to eat their own feces. Some dogs prefer frozen feces, while others will eat it any time of the year.
Several clients have tried the food additives that are supposed to keep the dog from wanting to eat the feces, yet they rarely make a difference for the pet's adverse behavior. Ideally, the pet is walked on leash, and the feces is picked up immediately after it hits the ground as a means to prevent any access to the excrement. The reality is this approach does not work for everyone in every situation. Some pets will do well if they wear a basket muzzle each time they go outside, but even this is not the perfect solution in every circumstance.
Depending on your pet's age and history, a consultation with your veterinarian would be an appropriate step. However, if there is not a medical issue, you most likely will need to work continuously to prevent access to the feces, as I am not aware of an infallible solution. Best wishes as you work through this unfortunate behavior.