How to Stop Dog from Eating Poop Home Remedies You Can Trust

It’s probably the most disgusting dog habit, and one of the most baffling. Your dog just ate poop. Again.

If you’re tired of yelling “No!” across the yard or dreading your dog’s kiss after they’ve had a “backyard snack,” you’re in the right place.

Fortunately, there are safe, proven ways to stop the habit. In this guide, we’ll cover exactly how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies that target the cause of the behavior, not just cover it up.

You’ll also learn what’s normal, what’s not, what to avoid, and when it’s time to get your vet involved.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Understanding Coprophagia

The medical term is coprophagia, and it’s more common than you think. According to a study reported by PetMD, about 16% of dogs eat poop regularly.

Common reasons dogs eat poop:

• Nutrient deficiency (missing enzymes or fiber)
• Instinctual behavior (from wild scavenging habits)
• Imitating other dogs
• Boredom or anxiety
• Dirty environment or improper clean-up
• Medical conditions (like diabetes or parasites)
• Attention-seeking

This isn’t just gross, it can be risky. Eating poop spreads parasites, bacteria, and viruses, even if it’s their own.

Is It Dangerous If My Dog Eats Poop?

Yes, even if it’s just their own stool, especially if it’s not fresh or contains parasites, undigested toxins, or bacteria.

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, risks include:

• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Giardia
• Bacterial infections
• Bad breath and oral health issues
• Internal inflammation

If it’s another dog’s poop, risks are even higher, especially at dog parks or on neighborhood walks.

10 Proven Home Remedies to Stop Poop Eating in Dogs

Now let’s talk about real, affordable home remedies. Here are safe ways to stop dog from eating poop home remedies you can try today:

1. Pineapple in Meals

Feed your dog fresh pineapple (chopped) with their food. It changes the taste of their stool (after digestion), making it less palatable.

Start with 1–2 tsp mixed into food once a day.

2. Add Pumpkin for Fiber

Plain, canned pumpkin (unsweetened) adds digestive fiber, reducing interest in stool and improving nutrient absorption.

PuppyAna often recommends this method in cases where poop eating is linked to digestive upset or nutrient craving.

3. Try Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV added to food (½ tsp per 25 lbs) can balance gut bacteria and change stool acidity.

Use once daily for a week. If behavior continues, try another remedy or consult your vet.

4. Meat Tenderizer as Food Add-In

Some dog owners use a pinch of natural meat tenderizer in food. It contains enzymes that later make poop taste “off.”

Use only natural/unseasoned brands, and never give it long-term.

5. Probiotics and Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Many dogs eat poop because they’re missing digestive enzymes or have a gut biome imbalance.

PuppyAna recommends exploring brands like Purina FortiFlora or NaturVet for natural, dog-safe probiotic and enzyme boosters.

This can also solve other issues like gas, diarrhea, and dull a coat.

6. Bitter Spray or Stool Deterrent Supplements

There are safe deterrents that go on either poop (bitter spray) or in food (digestive deterrents).

These use ingredients like MSG or yucca extract that make dogs stop eating their own feces over time.

Look for brands like NaturVet Coprophagia Deterrent, PuppyAna often recommends it as a supplement to other behavioral methods.

7. Clean It Up Immediately

The simplest way to win? Don’t give them the chance.

Make it a routine to remove poop from your yard immediately after your dog goes. This prevents temptation and turns poop soon into “out of sight, out of mind.”

8. Add More Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Bored dogs eat poop. Redirect energy with:

• New walks
• Food puzzles
• Interactive toys
• Tug games

This works especially well for younger dogs or high-energy breeds.

9. Teach “Leave It” + Reward

Use positive reinforcement to teach “Leave it” when they approach poop.

• Practice with toys or treats first
• Use leash corrections gently outdoors
• Reward looking away with a treat

Repetition builds the habit to disengage.

10. Add Digestive Support Treats

Choose treats with supportive additives like:

• Enzymes
• Yucca extract
• Chlorophyll
• Dried parsley

These often come as chewables or drops. PuppyAna frequently highlights top brands like Zesty Paws and Solid Gold when readers ask for ingredient-backed poop deterrent chews.

How to Stop Dog from Eating Poop Home Remedies for Puppies

Puppies explore the world with their mouths—including gross stuff. Many young dogs go through a phase of poop eating during potty training, curiosity, or just boredom.

Fortunately, there are special ways to tailor how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies for puppies:

Mild Remedies for Puppies:

• Boiled sweet potato or canned pumpkin adds fiber and satiety
• Use puppy-formulated probiotics to improve gut flora
• Keep them on-leash during early potty training and clean up immediately
• Start positive redirection early with “leave it” commands
• Add parsley or mint to meals to make stool less attractive

PuppyAna suggests products like Wellness Puppy Food or Zesty Paws Puppy Probiotic Bites, both shown to help regulate digestion and reduce stool interest.

Since puppy systems are delicate, always introduce remedies gradually and check with your vet.

Natural Diet Changes That Help

Sometimes the problem is deeper, missing nutrients, poor digestion, calorie restriction, or too much filler in food.

Here’s how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies with diet a upgrade:

• Upgrade to grain-free, meat-rich base food
• Rotate protein types (chicken, fish, beef) to reduce boredom
• Avoid dog foods with soy, corn, or artificial color
• Add moisture, kibble-only diets encourage dry stools that can be more attractive to dogs

PuppyAna often points readers to brands like The Honest Kitchen, Open Farm, and Wellness CORE for properly balanced, filler-free options.

How to Stop Dog from Eating Other Dog’s Poop

Sometimes the problem isn’t your dog’s poop, it’s the neighbor dog’s. Or the one at the park.

Tips that help:

• Keep dogs leashed in public
• Clean up immediately (your own dog’s and others’)
• Teach “Leave it” with high rewards
• Use remote treat dispensers at home if poop happens during the owner’s absence
• Block access to litterboxes or multi-dog poop zones

Behavior therapists often recommend reinforcement-based boundary training for multiple-dog homes.

How to Stop Dog from Eating Poop with Positive Reinforcement

Scolding rarely works. Dogs need to know what to do, not just what not to do.

Here’s how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies using positive reinforcement training:

Behavior-Focused Strategy:

1. Watch your dog closely around poop
2. The second they look away or leave it, mark with a click or “yes!”
3. Deliver a high-value treat immediately
4. Repeat consistently for 1–2 weeks
5. Train using a leash in the yard for full control

This method helps retrain the reward loop, making your praise more desirable than poop. Reinforcing alternate behaviors (like running to you) rewires habits quickly.

Best Ingredients to Add to Dog Food to Stop Poop Eating

Some of the most effective poop-deterrent ingredients you can add at home include:

• Canned pumpkin (fiber and texture deterrent)
• Pineapple (changes stool taste)
• Yucca schidigera (found in many supplements)
• Apple cider vinegar (balances gut pH)
• Parsley and mint (adds flavor and digestive benefits)

Try small amounts first and adjust according to weight and your vet’s advice.

Homemade Treat Recipes That Support Poop-Eating Prevention

Sometimes commercial additives aren’t available, or you just want to try something natural. You can easily support better digestion and deterrence with simple homemade dog treats.

Here’s how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies baked into healthy snacks:

Sample Poop-Control Treat:

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• ½ cup pumpkin
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
• 1 cup oat flour
• ¼ tsp turmeric

Mix, roll into balls or flatten into coin shapes. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes. Cool fully and store in an airtight container.

These snacks offer fiber, flavor, and digestive support—and when given after “leave it” training, they build a stronger behavior-reward system.

PuppyAna often shares smart treat recipes based on vet-approved nutrition resources rather than big-brand fillers.

When to Avoid These Home Remedies

Home fixes can help, but not always.

Stop home remedy attempts if:

• Your dog’s poop-eating worsens
• Sudden poop consumption starts with weight loss, energy dip, or diarrhea
• Ingested poop belongs to wild animals or other pets with unknown health
• You see blood, worms, or odors

Contact your vet immediately if poop eating comes with behavior changes or signs of parasitic infection.

ASPCA’s veterinary guide recommends testing stool and bloodwork when sudden behavior begins.

How to Stop Dog from Eating Cat Poop at Home

Cat litter boxes are gourmet vending machines to some dogs.

Here’s how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies applied to litter habits:

• Use covered, dog-proof litterboxes
• Add baby gates or pet doors that only fit cats
• Sprinkle mild deterrent (like black pepper) near box edges (not inside litter)
• Clean litterboxes 1–2× daily

If your dog eats from the litter tray regularly, up their fiber intake and reduce downtime.

Conclusion

Knowing how to stop dog from eating poop home remedies takes some patience, but it’s totally doable.

Start by:

• Understanding the reason
• Cleaning quickly
• Adapting your dog’s routine and diet
• Adding fiber, deterrents, or probiotics

With consistency, you can fix the habit without punishment or panic.

PuppyAna continues to guide dog parents toward cleaner, healthier, and smarter solutions, giving them the confidence to stop coprophagia at the source.

Frequently Asked Questions

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