Believe it or not, this is totally normal.
Let’s start at the tail and work our way forward. You might have witnessed this happening or smelled the after effects- either way, your dog ate poop and now you may be asking, “Why?”
Turns out, there is a scientific term for this habit- it’s called, “coprophagia” (kop-ruh-fey-jee-uh).
Coprophagia, specifically when it occurs in puppies is considered, “part of exploring the world around them.” When this habit presents itself in grown dogs however, you should chat with your vet to rule out problems like:
- Parasites
- Diet Deficiencies
- Mal Absorption
Other times in adult dogs, this pattern can be an effect of
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- Attention-Seeking
Moving on to the next item on you dog’s menu: vomit. Why do dogs eat their own vomit you ask?
“The short answer is that it’s quite normal for a dog to want to eat what they’ve brought up, but the throwing up might be a cause for concern.” – Banfield Pet Hospital.
“Since regurgitation is part of their nature our dogs don’t think twice before eating vomit. It may be disgusting to us, but to our dogs it’s just food. Partially digested perhaps, but that’s just how mama used to make it” – Puppy Leaks
All in all, rest easy knowing this happens to every pet parent! It’s just a small price you pay for being apart of the coolest club!