Why do Labs Eat Poop?

Why do Labs eat poop? If you have ever caught your Labrador munching on his poo out of the corner of your eye, you probably cringed. ‘Why is he doing that?’ you ask in horror. ‘Is this normal?’ Although it may be incredibly gross to humans, the good news is that it is usually normal for your Lab to eat his poop and it doesn’t signal any signs of health issues. But that doesn’t appease our curiosity.

So, why do Labs eat poop? There are several reasons why your dog may eat his own poop. For the most part, he is likely doing it because it tastes good. He may also be bored, lacking a nutritious diet, trying to get rid of the evidence, or simply reverting back to his natural instincts. 

For the most part, any Labrador Retriever eating his own poop is completely normal. We are going to discuss the different reasons why he would ever consider poop to be a good snack in the first place, and how to stop it. We will also inform you of things to look out for, as there are certain circumstances that are not normal.

The 5 Reasons Labradors Eat Poop (and How to Stop it)

Knowing that there are reasons behind your Labs repulsive actions will put the owner at ease. Of course, this doesn’t stop the owner from wanting to puke, but at least you know your canine is likely healthy. We’re going to talk about the top five reasons why he’s looking at his poo like a piece of chocolate cake and how you can stop him.

1. It Tastes Good

Yeah, that’s right- your Lab is eating his poop because he thinks it tastes good. And why not? A lot of dogs end up eating way too quickly, which does not allow their digestive system to break down their food all the way. This leaves delicious chunks and pieces of undigested food in their stool, which tastes like a fresh snack to your furry friend.

Solution: Give your dog less food at a time, and try to help him slow down while he is consuming his food. While you can’t exactly tell your pup not to eat so fast, trying to distract him a bit while eating can help. The biggest thing you can do, though, is to simply offer less food at a time. Maybe go from two feedings a day to three and lessen the amount of dog food.

2. He’s Bored

Everyone knows that a bored dog can quickly become a troublesome dog. Some bored canines may end up digging holes wherever they can, chew up your favorite pair of boots, or whine incessantly. Some dogs simply consume their own poop.

Solution: The answer here is pretty simple- you need to play with your dog more. Take him outside and let him burn some energy. Your Labrador is a big canine that has lots of energy pent up inside, so make sure you’re taking him on regular walks and playing games of catch and tug-of-war on the regular. You should also provide him with several stimulating toys.

3. His Diet Lacks Nutrition

Unfortunately, some Labradors may end up switching to the poop diet simply because their regular food is not providing enough nutrition for them. Of course, we all know the utter importance of ensuring your dog has enough nutritional food, so if this is the case it can be devastating for the owner and your dog’s overall health.

Solution: Don’t panic! While it’s true that a poor diet can have negative effects on your pup, such as a craving for his own feces, there is an easy way to fix it- change his dog food. Make sure you are always buying quality dog food that is packed with nutrients. Cheaper dog foods won’t fill him up or give him the vitamins and minerals he needs for success, so shell out those few extra dollars for your loveable canines.

3. He’s Hiding Evidence

This is mostly going to be done by Labrador puppies who are still learning where to poop, and more importantly, where not to poop. However, adult Labradors can still have accidents once in a while that will lead them to try and cover up their mistakes by simply eating it.

Solution: The best thing to do is to stick with positive potty training when dealing with your Labrador pup. You should also make sure that the area around your Labrador is clean at all times, so he knows not to poop there and also isn’t tempted to start eating his own stool.

4. It’s a Natural Instinct

Before Labradors (and other dogs) became domesticated, they were in the wild and had to rely on scavenging to get their food. Well, some people are under the impression that Labs who are consuming their own stool are simply reverting back to their natural, scavenging instincts. It’s a possibility, but in this day and age, not entirely likely.

Solution: The best thing to do is to always make sure your dog has enough food to keep him happy and healthy. With a full belly of nutritional dog food, he shouldn’t have to ‘scavenge’ and consume his poop. You should also make sure that his area is cleaned so he isn’t tempted when it is almost time to bed fed again.

When to be Concerned

There are a lot of reasons why your Labrador might start eating his poop, and these reasons are normal and can be rectified rather quickly. But if you notice that your Lab has suddenly started eating his poop when he never did beforehand, it may be a red flag.

Keep an eye on your Labrador. If you notice a sudden urge for your dog to eat his poop, then he may be suffering with one of these common Labrador issues:

• Cushing’s Disease
• Intestinal Malabsorption
• DIgestion Disorder
• Diabetes
• Parasites

If you think that your Labrador may be suffering with one of these problems it is important to get help right away. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your Lab tested for these problems.

At this point, you can also ask your vet for a special dog food formula that will make his poop taste undesirable to help deal with the poop-eating problem.

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