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Why Does My Dachshund Eat Poop? Causes and How to Stop It

Why Does My Dachshund Eat Poop? Understanding Coprophagia and How to Stop It

Catching your dachshund eating his own poop is enough to disgust any owner. Rest assured: this behavior, called coprophagia, is common, rarely serious, and above all, fixable. You just have to find the real cause. Here is what drives your sausage dog to do it and, most importantly, how to break the habit for good.

The short version: Coprophagia in dachshunds has two main families of causes: medical (parasites, deficiency, poor digestion, a diet that's too poor) and behavioral (puppy curiosity, boredom, stress, fear of punishment during potty training). The winning approach comes down to 4 points: get a vet checkup to rule out a health cause, pick up stools immediately, stimulate the dog physically and mentally, and review his diet. Never punish: it makes the problem worse. Most cases are sorted out within a few weeks with method and patience.

What exactly is coprophagia?

We speak of coprophagia when a dog eats feces, his own or those of other animals (cats, horses, other dogs). In some species such as rabbits or rodents, it's normal behavior and useful for digestion. In a mother dog, it's also natural when she cleans up after her puppies. In an adult dog, however, it's a behavior to understand and correct.

Two very different situations need to be told apart: the puppy who tastes everything out of curiosity (a bit like a toddler who puts everything in his mouth), and the adult dog in whom the habit persists. In the first case, the behavior often disappears on its own with maturity. In the second, it almost always signals a specific cause, medical or behavioral, that needs to be identified.

Medical causes to rule out first

Before concluding it's a whim, check his health. Several physiological problems can turn stools into an "appealing" food in your dachshund's eyes.

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Intestinal parasites

Intestinal worms disrupt nutrient absorption and leave the dog hungry all the time. A dewormer prescribed by the vet often fixes the problem at its root.

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A deficiency or a diet that's too poor

A poorly balanced or low-quality ration leaves the dog short of vitamins and enzymes. Stools, still rich in undigested nutrients, then stay appetizing.

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A digestion or absorption disorder

Pancreatic insufficiency, digestive irritation, poor assimilation: these problems push the dog to "catch up" on what he hasn't absorbed. Only a vet can diagnose them.

🔬 Reflex no. 1: the vet checkup

If your adult dachshund suddenly starts eating his poop, or if the behavior comes with diarrhea, weight loss, a ravenous appetite or a swollen belly, book an appointment. An exam, a stool test and sometimes a blood test can rule out parasites, deficiencies and digestive diseases before you work on the behavior.

Behavioral causes, the most common

Once health is ruled out, look at lifestyle. In the dachshund, an intelligent, food-loving dog very attached to his owner, coprophagia is most often a matter of the head, not the stomach.

  • Puppy curiosity: before 6 to 8 months, the young dachshund explores the world with his mouth. The act is commonplace and fades with age if it isn't reinforced.
  • Boredom and lack of stimulation: a dachshund left alone too long, without play or outings, may eat his poop simply to keep himself busy.
  • Stress and anxiety: a change of environment, loneliness that's hard to handle, tension at home. The behavior often appears in group settings (breeders, shelters).
  • Fear of punishment: a puppy scolded too harshly during potty training can start making his stools "disappear" to avoid the reprimand.
  • Imitation and attention: some dachshunds quickly figure out that this act triggers a strong reaction from their owner, and repeat it to get attention.

Why dachshunds are especially prone to it

No breed is immune, but the dachshund combines a few factors that explain his reputation as a little glutton who is sometimes indelicate.

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An appetite that never quits

The dachshund loves to eat, which also makes him more inclined to taste what he finds on the ground. It's the same trait that predisposes him to being overweight: food is a powerful motivator for him.

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A life that's often indoors

Many dachshunds live in apartments. Without enough exercise, boredom sets in quickly in this energetic hunting dog. Our guide on dachshunds in apartments explains how to channel it.

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A stubborn and sensitive temperament

The dachshund's personality makes him reactive to pressure and punishment. Overly harsh potty training can, in him more than in other breeds, trigger coprophagia.

The real health risks

Coprophagia is more disgusting than dangerous, but it isn't entirely harmless. Eating feces exposes your dachshund to intestinal parasites (worms, giardia) transmitted by ingestion, which can cause diarrhea, weight loss and digestive problems. The risk goes up when the dog eats the stools of other animals, which may carry parasites or germs.

⚠️ Keep an eye on this: if your dachshund regularly eats other dogs' stools on walks, keep his deworming protocol up to date and mention it to your vet. Coprophagia that appears suddenly in an adult should always be taken seriously.

The 6-step action plan to stop it

Correcting coprophagia takes method and consistency. Here is the step-by-step approach, in order.

  1. See the vet. This is the starting point: rule out parasites, deficiencies and digestive problems before any behavioral work.
  2. Pick up stools immediately. This is the most effective measure. No accessible poop, no coprophagia possible. In the yard as on walks, leave nothing lying around.
  3. Review his diet. A complete, quality ration reduces the appeal of stools. If in doubt, our guide to dog food for dachshunds and the one on puppy kibble amounts will help you adjust.
  4. Increase stimulation. More walks, games and enrichment toys: a tired, stimulated dachshund has no time to take an interest in his poop.
  5. Strengthen recall and "leave it." Teach him to turn away on command, with a reward. The positive method detailed in our guide to training a dachshund is the right foundation.
  6. Try a deterrent product if needed. There are food additives or sprays, available from the vet, that make stools less appetizing. Use them as a supplement, never alone.
✅ The right approach: when your dachshund heads toward his stools, divert his attention with a cheerful "come," then reward him. Praise the good behavior rather than punishing the bad. It's slower at first, and much more solid in the long run.

Mistakes that make everything worse

🚨 Punishing, scolding, rubbing his nose in it. This is the worst reaction. The dachshund associates the punishment with his stools and tries to make them disappear... by eating them faster. Harshness feeds the vicious circle.
⚠️ Reacting with big gestures and shouting. For a dog craving attention, your dramatic reaction is a reward. Stay neutral, redirect, reward the right choice.
⚠️ Neglecting the medical cause. Treating only the behavior when there is a deficiency or parasites is like bailing out a leaky boat. The vet checkup is not optional.
🚨 Leaving stools accessible "to see what happens." Every poop eaten reinforces the habit. Managing the environment must be immediate and flawless.

FAQ: your questions about dachshund coprophagia

Is it serious if my dachshund eats his poop?
It's generally not serious in itself, but it exposes him to intestinal parasites, especially with other animals' stools. The most important thing is to find the cause: coprophagia that appears suddenly in an adult warrants a visit to the vet.
My dachshund puppy eats his poop, should I worry?
In a puppy, it's very common and often linked to curiosity. The behavior generally disappears with maturity, as long as you don't reinforce it with punishment or strong reactions. Always pick up right away and redirect his attention.
Can a dietary deficiency explain this behavior?
Yes. A poor or poorly balanced diet leaves the dog short of nutrients, and his stools stay "appetizing" because they are rich in undigested elements. A complete, quality ration often makes a real difference, alongside the vet checkup.
Should you scold your dachshund when he eats his poop?
No, never. Punishment makes the problem worse: the dog learns to make his stools disappear faster to avoid the reprimand. Rely on positive reinforcement, rewarding him for turning away from it.
Do anti-coprophagia products work?
They can help by making stools less appetizing, but they don't treat the cause. Use them alongside environment management, diet and stimulation, ideally on a vet's advice.
How long does it take to stop coprophagia?
With systematic pick-up, a good diet, more stimulation and positive training, most cases improve noticeably within a few weeks. Consistency is key: a single poop left accessible can restart the habit.
My dachshund eats cat poop, what can I do?
Put the litter box out of his reach (up high or behind a barrier) and clean it often. Cat stools, rich in protein, are especially appealing to a food-loving dachshund. Controlling access remains the most reliable solution.

Your dachshund's coprophagia is neither a fate nor a vice. It's a signal: of a health need, a diet that needs reviewing, or a dog who is bored and wants attention. Always start with the vet to rule out parasites and deficiencies, pick up stools without delay, give him a quality ration and real chances to burn energy, and replace punishment with reward. With method and a little patience, this unpleasant behavior goes away. And to support your companion day to day, find our selection of accessories and toys designed for the breed in the Teckel Paris shop.

Health & wellness tips – Teckel Paris

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