The WM Pet Connection

By Rebecca Sebek

Harriet, our family dog, likes to eat dirt! She used to eat dried worms. This grosses me out! The veterinarian doesn't have a logical explanation for this. But I don't think it's good for her health. My mom noticed a rash around her mouth and thinks it's from the dirt. What do you do with a dog that won't stop digging, making small holes in the backyard, and eating dirt? Perhaps she's lacking vitamins and minerals. That's the million dollar question!


Pica is an eating disorder. Humans and animals ingest things such as coins, dirt, paper, soap, and other items instead of eating food. Dogs that eat poop have a behavior known as coprophagia which frustrates dog owners. If you understand this medical condition, you can take steps to stop your dogs from eating feces.


Why dogs eat poop and other gross things

1. They're hungry! Dogs that aren't fed will eat anything to survive.
2. If your dog is confined to a crate, he may clean up his area and that includes eating his feces.
3. If your dog carries poop and then eats it, this could be genetics. Some breeds of dogs are known to carry stuff in their mouths.
4. Your dog could have parasites or worms. These nasty buggers suck nutrients out of dogs which can lead your dog to eat poop.
5. Your dog's food may not have enough minerals and nutrients and they're trying to get them elsewhere.
6. If your dog gave birth to a litter of puppies, the mother will instinctively eat the poop. This hides the evidence of newborns from predators.
7. Your dog may be acting out for attention.
8. Your dog may have abnormal behavior.
9. Some dogs and puppies eat poop as an experiment because they don't any better.
10. Some dogs like the taste of dirt and poop. It's gross to humans but to dogs, it probably tastes like what they were fed when they were young.


If your dogs eat poop and other gross things, ask your veterinarian what you can do to stop the behavior. Perhaps you need to purchase a higher quality of food or give your dogs vitamins and other supplements. Maybe you need to pay more attention to your dogs and walk them more often. Whatever you do, don't ignore the behavior because it won't change if you don't do something about it. Good luck!

Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt, Poop, and Other Gross Things?