Disgusting to us humans, “coprophagy” or the act of eating fecal matter, is a common dog behavior—so when you see your dog snacking out of the litter box or stopping for a midwalk nosh, understand that this is in his nature.
That being said, this is a behavior that you’ll want to change for reasons beyond the “yuck” factor. Coprophagy is a behavior that can spread nasty intestinal parasites among pets so, unfortunately, you can’t turn a blind eye to this disgusting habit.
Ways to manage this behavior include keeping your yard clean, watching your dog when he is outdoors to make sure he doesn’t hunt down his favorite snack and, if you have furry feline friends in addition to your dog, keep their litter box unavailable to enquiring snouts.
Make sure to talk with your veterinarian about possible solutions to this problem and possible medical causes. They can work with you to determine that your dog is healthy, receiving a nutritionally balanced diet, and is free of parasites. There are also commercial products available through your veterinarian that can help deter coprophagy.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.