How to Stop Dog from Eating Poop Home Remedies: Breaking the Disgusting Habit Without Breaking the Bank
I'll never forget the first time I caught my golden retriever, Max, munching on his own waste like it was some kind of delicacy. The horror, the confusion, the immediate Google search that followed. If you're reading this, you've probably experienced that same stomach-churning moment. The technical term is coprophagia, but let's be honest – your dog is eating poop, and you want it to stop yesterday.
After years of working with dogs and talking to countless pet owners, I've discovered that this revolting behavior is surprisingly common. More importantly, I've learned that you don't need expensive supplements or veterinary interventions to solve it in most cases. Sometimes the simplest solutions hiding in your kitchen cabinet work better than anything you'll find at the pet store.
Why Dogs Develop This Stomach-Turning Habit
Before diving into remedies, we need to understand what drives this behavior. Dogs aren't trying to gross us out – they're responding to instincts, nutritional needs, or behavioral patterns that make perfect sense in their world, even if they horrify us in ours.
Mother dogs naturally consume their puppies' waste during the first few weeks of life. It's a survival mechanism that keeps the den clean and predator-free. Most puppies outgrow the mimicking phase, but some don't get the memo that this behavior should stop after weaning.
Nutritional deficiencies play a bigger role than most people realize. When I started adding digestive enzymes to Max's food, his poop-eating episodes dropped dramatically. Dogs instinctively seek out nutrients they're missing, and sometimes they think they'll find them in waste. It's gross, but it's logical from their perspective.
Boredom and anxiety create their own problems. A dog left alone for hours might turn to coprophagia simply because there's nothing else to do. I've seen this pattern repeatedly in dogs whose owners work long hours. The behavior becomes a weird form of entertainment or stress relief.
The Pineapple Solution That Actually Works
Here's something that sounds like an old wives' tale but genuinely works: pineapple. Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that makes poop taste terrible. Yes, I realize poop already tastes terrible to us, but apparently dogs need that extra deterrent.
I recommend starting with 2-3 small chunks of fresh pineapple mixed into your dog's food daily. Canned pineapple works too, but make sure it's packed in juice, not syrup. The sugar in syrup can cause digestive upset and defeats the purpose of creating an unappetizing waste product.
The transformation doesn't happen overnight. Give it at least a week before expecting results. Some dogs respond immediately, while others need time for the enzymes to build up in their system. I've had owners tell me they almost gave up after five days, then suddenly their dog walked away from poop like it was radioactive.
One quirk I've noticed: some dogs actually enjoy the taste of pineapple so much that they get excited about mealtime. It's a win-win – they get a treat, and you get a dog who stops eating feces.
Meat Tenderizer: The Unexpected Hero
This one surprised me when I first heard about it. Meat tenderizer – the stuff you sprinkle on tough steaks – contains enzymes similar to those in pineapple. The key is finding a brand without onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs.
Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon of plain meat tenderizer on your dog's food once daily. The enzymes break down proteins during digestion, theoretically making the resulting waste less appealing. I say theoretically because nobody really knows why dogs find some poop delicious and other poop disgusting. We're operating in a realm of educated guesses and trial-and-error.
I've had mixed results with this method. Some dogs respond brilliantly, while others seem completely unfazed. The advantage is that meat tenderizer is cheap and readily available. Even if it doesn't work, you're only out a few dollars.
Pumpkin: More Than Just a Fall Decoration
Plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) serves double duty in the anti-coprophagia arsenal. First, it adds fiber that helps regulate digestion. Second, it changes the taste and texture of waste in ways dogs apparently find unappealing.
Start with a tablespoon mixed into meals for small dogs, or up to 1/4 cup for larger breeds. The fiber content means you might see more frequent bowel movements initially, but this usually stabilizes within a few days.
What I love about pumpkin is its additional health benefits. The fiber helps with both constipation and diarrhea, the beta-carotene supports eye health, and most dogs genuinely enjoy the taste. Even if it doesn't stop the poop-eating, you're still doing something good for your dog's overall health.
A word of warning: too much pumpkin can cause loose stools. I learned this the hard way when I got overzealous with Max. Start small and increase gradually if needed.
The Power of Immediate Cleanup
Sometimes the most effective remedy requires no special ingredients – just vigilance and a good pooper scooper. If there's no poop available, your dog can't eat it. Simple, right? Well, simple in theory, challenging in practice.
This approach demands consistency that borders on obsessive. You need to supervise every bathroom break and clean up immediately. For multi-dog households, this gets complicated fast. You're essentially running a 24/7 poop patrol operation.
I'll admit this method drove me slightly crazy at first. Following Max around the yard with a scooper felt ridiculous. But after two weeks of religious cleanup, he stopped even looking for poop to eat. The habit was broken through sheer lack of opportunity.
The downside? This method requires you to be home or have someone available for every bathroom break. For people with traditional work schedules, it's nearly impossible without help.
Dietary Adjustments That Make a Difference
Poor diet quality often triggers coprophagia. Dogs eating low-quality food may not absorb nutrients properly, leading them to seek supplementation through waste consumption. Switching to a higher-quality food with better digestibility can eliminate the problem entirely.
Look for foods with named meat sources as the first ingredient. Avoid foods heavy in corn, wheat, or unnamed by-products. The initial cost might be higher, but you'll likely feed less because the food is more nutrient-dense.
I've seen dramatic behavior changes from diet switches alone. One friend's beagle stopped eating poop within days of switching from grocery store kibble to a premium brand. The dog was finally getting the nutrition he needed from his actual food.
Adding probiotics can also help. A healthy gut microbiome improves nutrient absorption and can reduce the appeal of feces. You can use commercial dog probiotics or add a spoonful of plain yogurt to meals.
Training Techniques That Stick
While remedies can help, training provides the long-term solution. The "leave it" command becomes your best friend in the war against coprophagia. Start training indoors with treats, then gradually work up to practicing around actual poop.
Here's my approach: carry high-value treats during walks. The moment your dog shows interest in poop, say "leave it" firmly and offer the treat as a redirect. The treat needs to be more appealing than the poop – think cheese, hot dog pieces, or freeze-dried liver.
Consistency matters more than perfection. Every successful "leave it" builds the behavior you want. I spent three weeks feeling like a treat dispenser, but it paid off. Max now walks past poop without a second glance.
Never punish a dog for eating poop. Yelling or physical corrections often make the behavior worse. Dogs may start eating poop quickly to avoid getting caught, or they might become sneaky about it. Positive reinforcement works better than punishment every single time.
When Home Remedies Aren't Enough
Sometimes coprophagia signals underlying health issues that home remedies can't fix. Parasites, pancreatic insufficiency, or other digestive disorders might be driving the behavior. If you've tried multiple remedies without success, it's time for a vet visit.
I'm not trying to scare you – most poop-eating is behavioral rather than medical. But I've known dogs whose coprophagia was the first sign of a bigger problem. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your dog's health.
Watch for other symptoms like weight loss, changes in appetite, vomiting, or unusual lethargy. These red flags suggest something beyond simple behavioral coprophagia.
The Mental Game of Dealing with a Poop Eater
Let's talk about something nobody mentions: the emotional toll of having a poop-eating dog. The embarrassment at the dog park, the hesitation before accepting doggy kisses, the constant vigilance during walks. It's exhausting and isolating.
Remember that you're not alone, and you're not a bad dog owner. This behavior doesn't reflect on your care or love for your pet. Some of the best-cared-for dogs I know have gone through poop-eating phases.
Give yourself grace during the process. Some days you'll feel like you're making progress, others like you're back at square one. That's normal. Behavior modification takes time, whether you're dealing with a dog or a human.
Creating a Poop-Free Environment
Beyond immediate cleanup, consider environmental modifications. If your dog primarily eats cat poop, move the litter box somewhere inaccessible. Baby gates, closed doors, or covered litter boxes can solve the problem without any dietary changes.
For yards, consider designated bathroom areas that you can monitor more easily. Train your dog to eliminate in one section of the yard, making cleanup faster and more thorough. Some people even install motion-activated sprinklers to deter dogs from investigating old bathroom spots.
I know someone who created a rock garden specifically for dog bathroom needs. The rocks made it easier to spot and remove waste, plus they could be hosed down regularly. Creative solutions often work better than conventional wisdom.
The Bottom Line on Beating This Nasty Habit
Stopping coprophagia rarely happens overnight. Most dogs need a combination of approaches – maybe pineapple plus better food plus consistent training. What works for your neighbor's dog might not work for yours, and that's okay.
Start with the simplest solutions and work your way up. Try pineapple or pumpkin first, add immediate cleanup, then consider diet changes if needed. Keep a journal of what you're trying and how your dog responds. Patterns emerge that can guide your approach.
Most importantly, don't give up. I've yet to meet a dog whose poop-eating couldn't be managed with patience and the right combination of remedies. Yes, it's gross. Yes, it's frustrating. But it's also fixable.
Your dog isn't trying to disgust you. They're just being a dog, following instincts and drives that make sense in their world. With understanding, consistency, and maybe some pineapple, you can guide them toward behaviors that work better in our human world.
The day Max walked past a fresh pile without even a sniff, I nearly cried with relief. That day will come for you too. Until then, stock up on pineapple, keep those treats handy, and remember – this too shall pass.
Authoritative Sources:
Hart, Benjamin L., et al. "The Paradox of Canine Conspecific Coprophagy." Veterinary Medicine and Science, vol. 4, no. 2, 2018, pp. 106-114.
Overall, Karen L. Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals. Mosby, 1997.
Houpt, Katherine A. Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists. 5th ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
Landsberg, Gary, Wayne Hunthausen, and Lowell Ackerman. Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat. 3rd ed., Saunders, 2012.
American Kennel Club. "Why Dogs Eat Poop and How to Stop It." American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-dogs-eat-poop/.
ASPCA. "Coprophagia (Eating Feces)." ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/coprophagia.
Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University. "Dietary Management of Coprophagia." Tufts University, vet.tufts.edu/nutrition/.