

Dogs Eating Poop
by Bernie's Best
2/12/2021
We love our dogs. And we love when they’re snuggly and cuddly and they drool all over us with their affection. Well, maybe a little less slobber wouldn’t be so bad, would it?
But what we often tuck away in the back of our minds is that our dogs lick their butts. Constantly. And then they lick us with the zeal of a puppy every time they get the chance. Even more gross is that some dogs eat their poop and then want to have us pucker up. Why do dogs eat their poop, and what can you do to help them break that crappy habit?
Coprophagia: My Dog Eats Poop And I Don’t Like It
If your dog eats poop, you’re not alone. Experts say anywhere between one in four and one in six dogs eats poop. The actual act of eating poop is called coprophagia and it’s pretty gross. That’s saying something, considering we know our dogs lick from the toilet, eat their own vomit and lick their butts with pretty regular consistency.
But why? Why do dogs do this, especially if you offer them better options than their own butt brownies? There’s not a ton of science on the matter, but experts suggest several theories.
Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?
When it comes to coprophagia, there could be several reasons dogs eat poop. Sometimes it’s behavioral, but most of the time, research suggests it goes back to their ancestral roots and needs to keep themselves going.
Some behavioral reasons dogs eat poop include:
What’s Your Dog Getting From Eating Poop That He’s Not Getting From Food?
This is a bacteria called Serratia Marcescens and it can be found in other places where water is prevalent (bathroom, laundry, etc.) If your dog has a compromised immune system, this bacteria can make it worse, and even if not, it can make your dog not feel his best. It can also be a traitor to your efforts to keep breath fresh, so it’s a good idea to make washing the dog’s bowls a daily event.
The big reason you want to get to the bottom of your dog’s poop-eating is that it most likely may signal a deficiency somehow. In the above-referenced study, Dr. Hart concluded that dogs eating their fresh stool reflects their ancestral days when they were trying to be sure that parasites in poop wouldn’t contaminate the den. So in a sense, it’s in a dog’s DNA to eat poop for protection.
But protection from what? Parasites, obviously, but animal behaviorist Steven R. Lindsay believes that dog coprophagia may also be a survival skill dogs evolved with to ward off starvation. In a sense, they eat what they have to eat so they can stay fueled.
Is that a thing in this day and age where we feed our dogs designer foods (or even home cooked or raw diets)?
It can be, and if your dog is eating poop, here are some reasons why they may be doing so:
What Can I Do To Stop My Dog From Eating Poop?
Aside from the basics for behavioral issues like making sure they have clean spaces and aren’t bored or stressed, you’ll want to make sure their diet is appropriate.
What’s the easiest way to do that? Supplement with Bernie’s Perfect Poop! Perfect Poop has the ideal combination of premium fiber, pre- and probiotics and enzymes to make sure your dog’s tummy gets just what it needs to stay away from the poop-eating train. The miscanthus grass keeps them feeling full and moves their food through their digestive system at just the right speed for maximum absorption and the added enzymes are just what your dog needs to break his food down into absorbable nutrients his body needs. It’s easy to supplement, and you’ll get to go back to poop-scooping with a smile on your face!
Notes From A Boy Who Wouldn’t Touch Poop With A Ten-Foot Tongue--
Hi folks! It’s me, Bernie!
We dogs know that poop eating kind of grosses you out. If honest, we’d rather not do it either, but...sometimes a dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do.
But if you don’t want your dog to have to get to that point, you’re in luck!
My Pawrents put the best enzymes, fiber, pre- and probiotics together in one delicious combination just for me. Well, and your dog too, because they know how important it is that we dogs have the best gut health we can! If you want to get rid of your dog’s poop-eating habit, just start giving them Bernie’s Perfect Poop. Perfect for poop scooping--NOT for eating!
Sending lots of non-poopy but slobbery licks your way,
Bernie F.
