Stop Dog From Eating Poop: Why Mixed Breeds Do It & How...

Understanding Coprophagia in Mixed Breed Dogs

If you've ever watched your dog gleefully snack on feces during a walk, you're not alone. Coprophagia — the scientific term for eating poop — affects an estimated 25% of dogs at some point in their lives, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. For owners of designer and mixed breed dogs, this behavior can feel especially frustrating when you've invested time and money into a carefully bred companion.

The good news? Most cases of coprophagia are manageable with the right combination of environmental management, dietary adjustments, and positive reinforcement training. This guide breaks down why mixed breed dogs eat feces, what health risks it poses, and exactly how to stop the behavior using force-free methods that actually work.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? The Root Causes

Coprophagia isn't a breed-specific issue — it's a complex behavior with multiple potential triggers. Understanding which cause applies to your dog is the first step toward stopping it.

Medical Causes

Some dogs eat feces because their bodies aren't absorbing nutrients properly. Common medical culprits include:

• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) — The pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes
• Intestinal parasites — Roundworms, hookworms, and giardia steal nutrients
• Diabetes or thyroid disease — These conditions increase appetite dramatically
• Malabsorption syndromes — More common in breeds predisposed to inflammatory bowel disease

If your dog suddenly develops coprophagia after years of normal behavior, schedule a veterinary exam. A fecal panel and blood work (typically $80-$150) can rule out medical causes before you invest time in behavioral solutions.

Behavioral Causes

For most dogs, poop-eating is a learned or instinctive behavior rather than a medical problem. Common behavioral drivers include:

• Maternal instinct — Mother dogs eat puppy feces to keep the den clean; puppies may mimic this
• Scavenging instinct — Dogs evolved as opportunistic eaters, and feces contains undigested nutrients
• Attention-seeking — If you react strongly when your dog eats poop, they may repeat it for engagement
• Anxiety or boredom — Understimulated dogs may develop coprophagia as a displacement behavior
• Resource guarding — Some dogs eat feces quickly to prevent other dogs from taking it

Mixed Breed Considerations

Designer and mixed breed dogs don't have higher rates of coprophagia than purebreds, but their varied genetic backgrounds can influence predisposing factors. For example, a Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle) may inherit the Labrador's notorious food motivation and scavenging drive, making coprophagia more likely. Similarly, hound mixes often have stronger scent-driven behaviors that can lead to feces consumption.

Health Risks of Coprophagia

Eating feces isn't just gross — it can expose your dog to serious health threats. Here's what you need to know:

Parasite Transmission

Feces can contain parasite eggs from roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and giardia. These eggs can survive in the environment for months, meaning your dog could be reinfected repeatedly. According to the AVMA, intestinal parasites affect up to 30% of dogs in some regions.

Bacterial Infections

Feces harbors bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. While dogs have more robust digestive systems than humans, these pathogens can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, systemic infection.

Zoonotic Risks

Some parasites and bacteria that dogs acquire from eating feces are zoonotic — meaning they can spread to humans. This is particularly concerning if your dog licks your face or if children handle the dog without proper handwashing.

When to Call the Vet

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog shows any of these red-flag symptoms alongside coprophagia:

• Unexplained weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
• Chronic diarrhea or vomiting
• Lethargy or weakness
• Pale gums (indicating anemia from parasites)
• Visible worms in stool or vomit

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop: Proven Strategies

Stopping coprophagia requires a multi-pronged approach. Here's what actually works, based on veterinary behaviorist recommendations:

1. Environmental Management

The simplest way to stop poop-eating is to remove access:

• Pick up feces immediately — Use a pooper scooper or biodegradable bags within minutes of your dog eliminating
• Supervise outdoor time — Keep your dog on a 6-foot leash during potty breaks until the habit breaks
• Use a basket muzzle — For dogs who eat other dogs' feces on walks, a Baskerville Ultra muzzle allows panting and drinking but blocks solid consumption
• Clean cat litter boxes — If your dog raids the cat's box, switch to a top-entry litter box or install a baby gate with a cat-sized opening

2. Dietary Adjustments

Some dogs eat feces because their diet isn't meeting their nutritional needs. Consider these adjustments:

• Switch to a higher-quality food — Look for AAFCO complete-and-balanced statements and named protein sources (chicken, beef, salmon) as the first ingredient
• Increase fiber content — Adding 1-2 tablespoons of canned pumpkin (not pie filling) per 20 lbs of body weight can improve satiety
• Feed smaller, more frequent meals — Splitting daily food into 3-4 meals reduces hunger-driven scavenging
• Add digestive enzymes — Products like Prozyme or NaturVet Enzymes can improve nutrient absorption

3. Taste Deterrents

Commercial products make feces taste unpleasant to dogs. The most effective options include:

• For-Bid — A powder you add to your dog's food that makes their own feces taste bitter ($15-$20 for a 60-day supply)
• Deter tablets — Similar concept, administered as chewable treats
• Meat tenderizer (papain) — An old home remedy; sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight on food daily

Note: Taste deterrents only work if your dog is eating their own feces. If they're consuming other dogs' waste, you'll need environmental management instead.

4. Positive Reinforcement Training

Teach your dog an incompatible behavior using force-free methods:

1. Train a strong "leave it" cue — Start with low-value items and work up to feces (use fake practice items first)
2. Reward immediate compliance — Use high-value treats like freeze-dried liver or chicken when your dog looks away from feces
3. Teach "come" after elimination — Call your dog to you immediately after they poop and reward heavily
4. Practice in controlled settings — Set up training scenarios with fake feces (use peanut butter on a rock) before real-world tests

Never use punishment, shock collars, or aversive techniques. These can increase anxiety and make coprophagia worse, according to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

Prevention Strategies for Mixed Breed Puppies

If you're bringing home a mixed breed puppy, you can prevent coprophagia from developing in the first place:

Early Management

• Clean up accidents immediately during house training
• Don't let puppies play with or mouth feces — redirect to appropriate chew toys
• Feed a complete puppy diet formulated for your dog's expected adult size
• Provide adequate mental stimulation (puzzle feeders, training sessions, appropriate chew items)

Socialization Window

Between 8-16 weeks, puppies are forming lifelong habits. If you catch coprophagia early and redirect consistently, you can prevent it from becoming entrenched. Use positive reinforcement to reward puppies for ignoring feces during walks and yard time.

When Coprophagia Won't Stop: Advanced Solutions

If you've tried environmental management, dietary changes, and training without success, consider these next steps:

Veterinary Nutritionist Consultation

A board-certified veterinary nutritionist can evaluate your dog's diet for deficiencies that might drive coprophagia. Consultations typically cost $200-$400 and may include diet reformulation.

Certified Behaviorist Referral

For persistent cases, a veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) or certified applied animal behaviorist (CAAB) can develop a customized behavior modification plan. Expect to pay $300-$600 for an initial consultation.

Medication Options

In rare cases where coprophagia is driven by anxiety or compulsive disorder, veterinarians may prescribe medications like fluoxetine or clomipramine. These are always used alongside behavior modification, never as standalone solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coprophagia

Is eating poop harmful to my dog?

While occasional coprophagia isn't immediately dangerous, it exposes your dog to parasites, bacteria, and potential toxins. Chronic poop-eating increases the risk of parasitic infections and gastrointestinal illness.

Will my dog outgrow this behavior?

Some puppies stop eating feces as they mature, especially if the behavior was driven by exploration or maternal instinct mimicry. However, adult dogs who develop coprophagia rarely stop without intervention.

Are certain mixed breeds more prone to coprophagia?

Mixed breeds with hound, retriever, or terrier ancestry may have stronger scavenging instincts, but coprophagia can occur in any dog regardless of breed mix. Environmental factors and individual personality play larger roles than genetics.

Can I use hot sauce or pepper to deter my dog?

No. Spicy substances can irritate your dog's mouth, eyes, and digestive tract. Stick to veterinary-recommended deterrents like For-Bid or taste-aversion products specifically formulated for dogs.

My dog only eats cat poop. How do I stop this?

Cat feces is particularly attractive to dogs due to its high protein content. Use physical barriers (top-entry litter boxes, baby gates, closed doors) and consider switching your cat to a lower-protein diet if recommended by your veterinarian.

Should I be worried if my dog eats other dogs' poop at the dog park?

Yes. You don't know the health status of other dogs, and their feces could contain parasites or pathogens. Keep your dog leashed and redirect immediately if they show interest in other dogs' waste.