My dog eats his own feces. Is this normal?

You might be concerned if your dog can’t seem to resist a little helping of feces every now and again. Some people believe that eating feces is caused by a poor diet, but the roots of this behavior may actually be anchored in lassie’s childhood.

When newborns clutter the den, a mother will consume her pups’ feces to keep the area clean and keep predators away by removing the smell. Pups often observe and repeat this behavior.

Feces cravings should peter out after weaning. So when an adult dog eats his own feces, it may be for another reason, such as anxiety or boredom.

If your dog eats his own feces, ask your veterinarian for advice. Even though this is a common behavior, there are health risks such as parasites involved.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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