Few things are more unsettling for dog owners than witnessing their pet eat its own poop—or sneak into the litter box for a snack. This behaviour, known as coprophagia, can be more than just gross; it often points to an underlying issue with the dog’s diet. In this post, we’ll dive into the connection between poop-eating and poor nutrition and explain how switching to a high-quality raw diet can help your dog overcome this behaviour.

The Link Between Poor Nutrition and Poop-Eating

If your dog is engaging in coprophagia, it might be their body’s way of signalling a lack of essential nutrients. Here are the key reasons a dog’s diet could be the root cause:

1. Low-Quality Ingredients in Commercial Foods
Many mass-produced dog foods contain fillers, artificial preservatives, and low-quality protein sources. These foods can leave dogs with unfulfilled nutritional needs, driving them to seek missing nutrients from unusual sources—like faeces.

2. Incomplete Nutrient Absorption
Even if a dog’s diet appears balanced on paper, not all nutrients are easily absorbed by their body. If their digestive system struggles to process and retain key vitamins and minerals, they might instinctively look for additional sources of nutrition. Poop, containing partially digested food, can become an appealing target.

3. Insufficient Protein and Healthy Fats
Dogs thrive on diets rich in animal-based proteins and healthy fats. When their meals lack these essential building blocks, dogs may become more likely to eat poop in search of these missing elements. This behavior is especially common in dogs fed on foods with plant-based proteins or carbohydrates as primary ingredients.

4. Imbalanced Gut Health
A poor diet can negatively impact a dog’s gut health, leading to malabsorption of nutrients and digestive discomfort. Dogs with unbalanced microbiomes may eat poop as a way to “replenish” gut bacteria and stabilize digestion.

How Raw Food Can Help Stop Poop-Eating

Transitioning your dog to a raw food diet can address the nutritional gaps that drive coprophagia. Here’s how raw feeding helps:

1. Improved Nutrient Absorption
Raw food provides bioavailable nutrients—those that are easy for the body to absorb and use. This ensures that your dog gets everything they need from their diet, eliminating the urge to look for extra nutrients elsewhere.

2. High-Quality Proteins and Fats
A raw diet is naturally rich in the high-quality animal proteins and healthy fats that dogs crave. With their nutritional needs met, they are far less likely to turn to stool as a secondary food source.

3. Better Digestive Health
Raw food promotes a healthier gut by supporting beneficial bacteria and eliminating fillers that can cause digestive issues. A healthy digestive system reduces the chance of nutrient malabsorption—one of the key triggers of coprophagia.

At Doghouse Dog Cafe, we specialise in premium raw food blends, carefully crafted to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Whether you’re new to raw feeding or ready to make the switch, we’re here to help you find the perfect balance for your pet.

Steps to Help Your Dog Kick the Poop-Eating Habit

If nutritional deficiencies are driving your dog’s poop-eating, here’s what you can do to stop it:

1. Transition to a Nutrient-Rich Raw Diet
The most effective way to stop coprophagia is to address your dog’s nutritional needs. A balanced raw diet provides the essential proteins, fats, and vitamins dogs crave, reducing their desire to eat poop.

2. Supplement with Probiotics
Adding probiotics to your dog’s diet supports gut health, ensuring better digestion and nutrient absorption. A healthy gut reduces the drive to seek feces as a source of bacteria or nutrients.

3. Feed at Regular Intervals
Hunger can trigger coprophagia, especially in dogs not receiving enough calories or meals spaced too far apart. Feeding smaller, regular meals helps maintain stable energy levels and curbs the urge to snack on inappropriate items.

4. Limit Access to Poop
While improving your dog’s diet will reduce the behavior over time, keeping your environment clean is essential. Regularly pick up poop in your yard, and if you have cats, place the litter box out of your dog’s reach.

 

Why Nutrition Matters for Behavior

Meeting your dog’s nutritional needs doesn’t just improve their physical health—it also impacts their behavior and mental well-being. When dogs are properly fed, they feel satisfied and energized, reducing the chance of developing strange habits like coprophagia. Switching to a raw diet provides the foundation for healthier behaviours by ensuring that your dog isn’t constantly seeking missing nutrients.


If your dog’s poop-eating behaviour has been frustrating you, it’s time to take a closer look at their diet. Coprophagia is often a sign that their body isn’t getting what it needs from their current food. By transitioning to a nutrient-dense raw diet, you can help eliminate the root cause of the behavior while supporting better digestion and overall health.

At Doghouse Dog Cafe, we’re passionate about providing dogs with the best possible nutrition. Drop by to learn more about our raw food blends and how we can help your pet thrive—without the need for any unpleasant “snacks”!