Why Does My Dog Eat Cat Faeces? Causes, Risks & How to Stop It

Why Does My Dog Eat Cat Faeces? The Short Answer

If you've ever caught your dog raiding the litter box, you're not alone. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that coprophagia — the scientific term for eating feces — affects an estimated 16-25% of dogs at some point in their lives. Cat faeces is especially attractive to dogs, and understanding why can help you address the root cause rather than just the symptom.

The Science Behind Why Dogs Are Drawn to Cat Faeces

Cat faeces smells and tastes appealing to dogs for several biological reasons:

• High protein content: Cat food is formulated with significantly more protein (typically 30-45% on a dry matter basis) than dog food (18-30%). Undigested protein passes through the cat's digestive tract, making their feces smell like food to a dog's sensitive nose.
• Fat residue: Cats have shorter digestive tracts than dogs, meaning more undigested fat ends up in their stool. Dogs, being opportunistic scavengers, detect this fat and interpret it as a calorie-rich snack.
• Evolutionary scavenging instinct: Dogs descended from wolves that scavenged extensively. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that coprophagia in dogs can stem from innate foraging behaviors rather than nutritional deficiency.
• Attention-seeking behavior: Some dogs learn that raiding the litter box produces an immediate, dramatic reaction from their owners — which reinforces the behavior through negative attention.

Is It Nutritional Deficiency?

A common myth is that dogs eat feces because they're missing nutrients. While severe malnutrition or malabsorption disorders (like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) can trigger coprophagia, the vast majority of litter-box-raiding dogs are on perfectly balanced diets. Before assuming a dietary cause, rule out medical conditions with your veterinarian.

Health Risks of Dogs Eating Cat Faeces

The CDC notes that Toxoplasma gondii, commonly shed in cat feces, is a zoonotic parasite — meaning it can spread from animals to humans. While dogs are not the primary host, they can carry the organism on their fur and mouth after consuming contaminated feces.

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Cat Faeces: A Step-by-Step Plan

Step 1: Physical Barriers (Immediate Fix)

Relocate the litter box to a location your dog cannot access. Options include:

• Baby gate with cat door: Install a gate your cat can jump over or pass through a small pet door cut into the bottom. Cost: $40-$80 for a quality gate with pet passage.
• Top-entry litter box: Models like the Modkat or IRIS Top Entry ($40-$70) force the cat to enter from above, making it difficult for dogs to reach the contents.
• Elevated placement: Place the box on a counter, shelf, or inside a cabinet with a cat-sized opening. Cats are natural climbers; most dogs are not.
• Self-cleaning litter box: Units like the Litter-Robot 4 ($699) or PetSafe ScoopFree ($170-$200) rake waste into a sealed compartment within minutes, drastically reducing the window of opportunity.

Step 2: Positive Reinforcement Training

Teach a reliable "Leave It" command using force-free, positive reinforcement methods:

1. Start with low-value items: Place a treat on the floor, cover it with your hand. When your dog stops nosing your hand (even for a second), mark with "Yes!" and reward with a different treat from your other hand.
2. Progress to uncovered items: Repeat without your hand covering the treat. Reward only when your dog looks away from the floor treat and makes eye contact with you.
3. Add the verbal cue: Say "Leave it" just before presenting the item. Reward compliance with a high-value treat (freeze-dried liver, boiled chicken).
4. Generalize to the litter box area: Practice "Leave it" near the litter box location. Reward heavily for compliance.

Important: Never punish your dog after the fact. Yelling, rubbing their nose in it, or using aversive tools (shock collars, prong collars) does not teach the dog what to do — it only increases anxiety and can damage your bond. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior explicitly recommends against dominance-based or aversive training methods.

Step 3: Dietary Adjustments (If Medically Indicated)

If your veterinarian rules out medical causes but suspects dietary motivation, consider:

• Increasing fiber: Adding 1-2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling) per 20 lb of body weight to your dog's daily meals can increase satiety and reduce scavenging drive.
• Splitting meals: Feeding 3-4 smaller meals per day instead of 1-2 large ones keeps blood sugar more stable and reduces hunger-driven behavior.
• Enrichment feeders: Puzzle toys like the Kong Classic ($15-$25) or Outward Hound Nina Ottosson puzzles ($12-$30) slow eating and satisfy foraging instincts in an appropriate way.

What to Do If Your Dog Already Ate Cat Faeces

At-Home Monitoring Protocol (Mild Cases)

If your dog ate a small amount and seems fine:

1. Withhold food for 12 hours (water remains available) to let the GI tract settle.
2. Offer a bland diet — boiled chicken breast (no skin, no seasoning) and white rice in a 1:2 ratio. Feed ¼ cup per 10 lb of body weight, split into 3-4 small meals over the next 24-48 hours.
3. Monitor stool quality for 3-5 days. Normal stool should return within 48 hours. Persistent diarrhea warrants a vet visit.
4. Collect a stool sample and bring it to your vet for parasite screening within 1-2 weeks of the incident, especially if this isn't the first occurrence.

Dogs at Higher Risk: Who Should Be Extra Careful

Some dogs face elevated danger from coprophagia:

• Puppies under 6 months: Immature immune systems and smaller body mass mean parasites and bacteria hit harder. A 10-lb puppy ingesting contaminated feces faces a proportionally higher pathogen load than an 80-lb adult.
• Senior dogs (8+ years): Age-related immune decline and common comorbidities (kidney disease, diabetes) reduce resilience to bacterial and parasitic infections.
• Dogs on immunosuppressive medications: Dogs receiving chemotherapy, long-term corticosteroids, or treatment for immune-mediated diseases have compromised defenses.
• Brachycephalic breeds: Bulldogs, Pugs, and similar breeds are more prone to vomiting and aspiration. GI upset from coprophagia can escalate quickly.
• Dogs with a history of pancreatitis: The high fat content in cat feces can trigger a flare-up in susceptible dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my dog get worms from eating cat feces?

Yes. Roundworms (Toxocara cati), hookworms, and tapeworms can all be transmitted through cat feces. Additionally, Giardia cysts shed in cat stool are infectious to dogs. A fecal flotation test at your vet ($35-$65) can detect most intestinal parasites. Deworming treatment typically costs $15-$40 per dose.

Is cat food toxic to dogs?

Cat food is not toxic to dogs, but it is not nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The higher protein and fat levels can cause GI upset, pancreatitis in susceptible dogs, and obesity. An occasional stolen mouthful won't harm most dogs, but cat food should never replace a dog-formulated diet.

Will adding meat tenderizer or pineapple to my dog's food stop them from eating feces?

These are common folk remedies based on the theory that they make feces taste bad. There is no peer-reviewed evidence supporting their effectiveness. Some dogs are completely unaffected by these additives. If you want to try a commercial coprophagia deterrent like For-Bid or NaturVet No Scoot ($10-$20 for a 60-day supply), consult your veterinarian first — these products contain digestive enzymes or plant-based ingredients that may not suit all dogs.

How long does it take for parasites to show up after my dog eats cat feces?

Incubation periods vary by parasite: Giardia symptoms typically appear 5-16 days after exposure. Roundworm eggs may not show in stool for 4-6 weeks (the prepatent period). Toxoplasma gondii infection may cause symptoms within 5-23 days or remain entirely subclinical. This is why a follow-up fecal test 3-4 weeks after an incident is recommended.

My dog only eats cat feces from the yard, not the litter box. Is that safer?

Not necessarily. Outdoor cat feces still carries parasites and bacteria. Additionally, yard feces may be contaminated with environmental parasites from other cats or wildlife. The litter material risk is lower, but the parasitological risk remains the same. Always clean up cat feces from your yard promptly.

Prevention Checklist: Keep Your Dog Safe Long-Term

Coprophagia is frustrating but solvable. By combining environmental management, positive reinforcement training, and routine veterinary parasite screening, you can protect your dog's health and put an end to the litter-box raids. Always consult your veterinarian to rule out underlying medical causes before assuming the behavior is purely behavioral.