The topic of feces eating, also called coprophagia, is unpleasant for many dog ​​owners and is often associated with disgust.
But for dogs, it's not as unusual as it seems to us. There are numerous reasons why a dog eats feces –
from natural instincts to serious health problems.

Natural instincts

• Territorial behavior: In nature, dogs remove feces from their own den to avoid attracting enemies.

• Exploratory behavior: Dogs use their nose and mouth to explore the world – sometimes by picking up feces.

• Maternal behavior: Bitches eat their puppies' feces to keep the whelping box clean.

Dietary reasons

• Nutrient deficiency: A dog may try to compensate for missing nutrients by eating feces.

• Enzyme deficiency: Especially in dogs that are fed industrial food, digestive enzymes that are contained in the feces are often missing.

• High-quality feces: The feces of cats or other carnivores are often very nutrient-rich and tempting for dogs.
  
  

Health causes

• Digestive problems: Diseases of the pancreas or intestines can trigger the behavior.
• Parasite infestation: Worms or other intestinal parasites can impair the dog's nutrient balance and lead to fecal eating.

• Intestinal dysbiosis: An imbalance in the intestinal flora (dysbiosis) can also play a role.
  
  

Behavioral reasons

• Boredom: Understimulation and lack of activity often lead to undesirable behavior such as eating feces.

• Stress or fear: Insecure dogs are more likely to exhibit this behavior.

• Attention seeking: Some dogs have learned that eating feces will get their owner's attention.
  
  

Other possible causes

• Taste: Cat feces in particular often contain many undigested nutrients and therefore smell extremely tempting to dogs.

• Habit: Once the behavior has crept in, it quickly becomes a habit.
  
  

Measures and solutions

• Visit to the vet: Clarification of possible health causes.

• Nutritional optimization: Ensure that the dog receives all the nutrients it needs.

• Training and management: Remove feces immediately, train alternative behaviors such as “leave it” .

• Enzyme or intestinal supplements: In consultation with the veterinarian or animal health practitioner.

• Employment: Sufficient mental and physical activity.

Cat feces – a special temptation for dogs

Many dog ​​owners are familiar with this problem: As soon as their dog has access to the litter box or cat droppings outside, it's almost impossible to stop them from eating the feces. But why is this?

Due to their meat-rich diet, cat feces contain particularly high levels of protein and fat, which dogs find very appealing. Dogs have a strong preference for strong-smelling, protein-rich substances—and cat feces fulfills precisely this criterion.

Another factor is the dog's natural hunting and prey drive. In nature, cats are potential prey for dogs and other predators. The smell of cat feces may instinctively trigger this prey drive.

In addition, cat feces often contains undigested nutrients that are still usable by dogs—especially if the cat is fed high-quality food. Some experts therefore consider cat feces a kind of "delicacy" for dogs, which can even trigger a kind of addictive behavior because the reward provided by the intense flavor is so great.

Tip:

If your dog regularly eats cat feces, you should ensure that his own nutritional needs are fully met. It also helps to consistently prevent access to the litter box and known outdoor "cat toileting areas."

---

Eating feces is often a combination of various factors. A comprehensive investigation into the causes and consistent
Measures help to change behavior in the long term.