Remedies for Pets Who Eat Poop

| Modified on Mar 27, 2018

Many pet owners at one time or another must deal with the unfortunate issue of having a pet, whether it be a cat or dog, who enjoys snacking on feces. This rather unpleasant sounding practice is otherwise known as coprophagy. There have been many theories put forth as to why a pet might choose to eat stool, such as dietary deficiencies, anxiety, an inherited trait or maybe because they just enjoy the taste.  The truth however is that no one really knows why this occurs.  What we do know is that it tends to be more common than what we might like to think it is.

It would be nice if we could just say to our pets, "Listen, this is just not a very socially acceptable practice and frankly I'm not interested in your poopy kisses anymore so you just need to stop!" But, that conversation probably won't have much of an impact on your pet so instead you must take matters into your own hands. Here are a couple of things that you can try:

1. For pets who eat their own feces, there is an all-natural product available called Prozyme which can be added to your pets regular meals.  Although the product was not intended to combat the problem of feces eating, it has been reported to help with the issue and in addition is a great food supplement for your pet

The other solution involves a bit of trickery on your part.  Use cayenne pepper or hot sauce and generously sprinkle either one on the feces in your cat's litter box or out in the back yard.  Most pets are deterred from eating feces again after chomping once or twice on a spicy piece of poop.  You should however know going into it that on occasion some pet owners have reported that the animal as a result developed a strange taste bud for the spicy treats!




Add More Food

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Charlotte (Boston, Ma) on 12/17/2009
★★★★★

The only time my dog has eaten poop was when we put her on a diet and she wasn't getting enough food. Once I added more food, it never happened again. Same thing with my neighbor, who had a black lab. He was a huge, overweight dog (poor thing) who didn't get any exercise. Rather than giving him more exercise, my neighbor cut his food in half. Well he started gobbling down dog poop left and right after that. I think everyone should consider this first. Also,I believe some dog food brands (especially the cheapo brands) may not contain all the nutrients or fat content that a dog needs, so that may contribute to the poop eating issue as well! Good luck!


Fresh Pineapple

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Terific1 (Nevada) on 12/29/2015
★★★★★

Hi,

If you are looking for a cure for a poop eating pup, I've got it, cheap and easy. Just give your dog fresh Pineapple and when they poop it changes the smell and they won't eat it. It worked on my own dog and others. And the Pineapple is good for them...How about that. A tasty treat for them and no more poop eating for you :)

Replied by Paula
(New York)
08/27/2016

How much pineapple, if I buy a can in its own juice?

Replied by Whitey
(New Bethlehem)
03/25/2018

How does pineapple work?

Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
03/27/2018

Hey Whitney,

Fresh pineapple contains Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme [an enzyme that digests protiens]. It is thought some dogs eat stool because they are attempting to replenish enzymes. Adding enzymes to the diet in the form of pineapple or Accent meat tenderizer addresses this deficiency. It may or may not stop your dog from eating stools, but this is the thinking behind it.


Meat Tenderizer

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
1 star (1) 
  50%

Posted by Minkxy (Brooklyn, Ny) on 05/14/2012
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

FYI my daughter was told by a vet to use meat tenderizer for poo eating problem. After she gave it to the cat, bloody urine, incontinence 2 days later. 2 more days the 3 yr old was in hospital. After being out for 2 days he began the same problems. I found out and came here. Started him on ACV, and cranberry. I really can't imagine what meat tenderizer does to the insides of cats... Tenderizes it at best. 1 day, so far, into ACV treatment. Tail's is much better.


Meat Tenderizer
Posted by Michelle (Okinawa Japan) on 05/11/2006
★★★★★

Meat Tenderizer also works well for keeping your dogs from eating feces. You just sprinkle a little on their food when you feed them. It doesn't alter the taste of their food and it really keeps them from snacking on theirs or others poo. Helped my dog!

Replied by Violet
(St. Pete, Fl)
09/29/2009

This is in response to Michelle. Please check the ingredients in the meat tenderizer you are using. Most of them are pure MSG as well as very high sodium, neither of which are healthy for your pet. You could add some pureed papaya or crushed pineapple to the pet's food, both would result in a nasty tasting stool. You can also buy both in pill form at a health food store... bromelain or papaya pills.


Pancrezyme or Pancreatin

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Jana (Glendale, AZ) on 05/04/2009
★★★★★

For dogs who eat poop:

Make sure you check with your vet for Enzymatic Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) disease. It can be detected with a blood test. There is usually an associated infection that requires antibiotics. My dog almost died from this disease before we figured out what it was. They slowly starve because the enzyme that digests the food isn't being made, so food passes through undigested. Since it's undigested, and they are starving to death, they eat it. We got Pancrezyme (pricy) to mix in with food, and she slowly gained weight back to normal. She will have to stay on the enzyme for the rest of her life. There is a subsitutute called Pancreatin which is much cheaper at enzymediane

Replied by Momofdogs
(Scranton, Kansas, USA)
12/16/2009

My 1 1/2 yr old puggle has eaten poop since he was little. We have tried pills from the petstore, powder from the vet, pineapple and I have run around outside & put hot sauce, or chili powder on feces and he still eats it. In fact he loves the hot flavors! I also have a GSD & they both eat cat feces from the ferral cats. I have changed food, but it does not seem to matter. I am going to try the Prozyme mentioned above & see if that will work.

Replied by Christine
(Lancaster, Pa)
11/28/2015

To Momofdogs: You should NEVER let a feral cat's poop be eaten - their feces are very likely laden with worms that the dog is ingesting.


Pumpkin

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
1 star (1) 
  50%

Posted by Patricia (Ohio) on 01/05/2016
★☆☆☆☆

I can tell you from experience that pumpkin does NOT stop poop eating. My puppy gets it twice a day and STILL eats his poop. and pumpkin has not worked AT ALL with the anal gland issue my bassets have.

Replied by Wendy
(Ohio)
01/08/2016

For the anal glad issue, get some good quality Virgin Coconut Oil. Start with 1 teaspoon in the dog's food in 1 meal per day for a couple of days. If the dog has no really loose stools, then you can increase it to 2 meals per day. You don't need to melt it. Keep doing this for a good few months.


Pumpkin
Posted by Betty (Lead Hill, Ar) on 02/21/2015
★★★★★

Pumpkin is said to help with dogs who eat their stool. Said to be really gross when it comes out.


Yucca Oil

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Shirl (Clarksburg, Wv) on 02/21/2010
★★★★★

I have been using yucca oil for 10yrs to stop the poop eating. My Baby (dogs name)was eating poop from the day i got her, it would make my stomach turn every time i seen her do this. I ran across the site and have been using it ever since, it also helps the body, and breath Odor. An extra it keeps the grass from turning brown.

Replied by Ana
(Houston, Tx, Usa)
09/03/2010

Where do you get Pancreayme, is it prescribed? and Yucca oil and how much do you use for a 22 lbs dog?

Replied by Kay
(Virginia)
12/27/2015

Hi Shirl,

You actually posted your comment over 5 years ago, but I hope you can answer a question. Where do you purchase Yucca Oil?, What is the name brand that you use?, How do you administer it to your dog?, and how much do you give to your dog?. Thanks for your help.