French Bulldogs have stolen the hearts of dog lovers all over the world with their charming personalities and unique looks. However, one quirk that some Frenchies may exhibit is the tendency to munch on their own poop. Yes, you heard it right! Coprophagia, the scientific term for poop eating, is a behavior that can be quite perplexing and even downright gross. But fear not, we’re here to help you put an end to this unappetizing habit. In this article, we’ll explore the possible reasons behind poop eating in Frenchies and share some effective prevention strategies.
Why do French bulldogs eat their poop?
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand what coprophagia is and why some French Bulldogs engage in this behavior. By definition, coprophagia refers to the act of dogs consuming their own feces or the feces of other animals. While it may seem strange to us humans, it’s not uncommon among dogs, including our beloved Frenchies. Here are some possible reasons behind poop eating.
Natural Instincts
French Bulldogs have some ancestral instincts that can explain their poop-eating habits. According to experts, their wild relatives would eat fresh stools to protect their pack from pesky parasites. Some of those instincts are still present in our pampered Frenchies who want to keep their living space clean this way.
Poop eating is especially common in small puppies, who explore the world around them by eating and smelling anything they encounter. Another possible reason is that puppy food has a highly appealing scent, which puppies can still smell in their poop. In most cases, they will outgrow this nasty habit by the time they are about 9-12 months old.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Digestive Issues
If your Frenchie’s diet is lacking important nutrients, they might be on the lookout for an unconventional snack. Poor nutrition or digestive problems can make them crave the nutrients they’re missing, and unfortunately, poop seems like a tempting source. It’s like their way of saying, “Hey, I need something extra, and this poop seems like a good idea!”
Environmental and Behavioral Factors
Sometimes, the reasons behind poop eating can be a bit more complex. Environmental factors and certain behaviors can influence your Frenchie’s poop-eating adventures. If they’re feeling lonely and bored or they’re spending too much time cooped up in a small space, they might turn to poop as a form of entertainment or comfort.
Medical Conditions
In rare cases, coprophagia may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as parasites, malabsorption issues, or lacking some essential nutrients in their diet. If you suspect that a medical problem may be contributing to your Frenchie’s coprophagia, it’s crucial to consult with a vet for a proper diagnosis.
Keep in mind that every French Bulldog is unique, and there may be other factors at play too. To really pinpoint the cause of your Frenchie’s poop-eating habits, it’s always a good idea to observe their behavior closely and consult with a veterinarian.
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7 Tips to Stop Frenchies from Eating Their Poop
Now that you have a better understanding of the possible causes of poop eating in Frenchies, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and explore solutions to put an end to this less-than- appetizing habit.
1. Keep a Clean Environment
First things first, you should make sure that your Frenchie doesn’t have easy access to potential poop snacks. Always aim to create a clean and hygienic living environment and clean up their poop as soon as they eliminate. If you have multiple dogs, ensure that each of them has their own designated area for potty to prevent them from eating each other’s poop. Having them do their business on paper stripes can also help as that way they cannot eat it. If you have a cat, keep the litter box out of your Frenchie’s reach or in a separate area to avoid any potential access.
2. Ensure Proper Nutrition
Remember the part about nutritional deficiencies? We simply can’t say enough how crucial it is to provide your French Bulldog with a healthy and balanced diet. A high-quality dog food provides all the essential nutrients and helps curb their cravings for poop. Read our article on how to find the best food for your Frenchie. If you’re unsure you can always consult with your vet to ensure that the food meets your puppy’s dietary needs.
3. Consider Dietary Supplements
If your Frenchie’s coprophagia is related to nutritional deficiencies, adding specific supplements to their diet can be beneficial. You can also try probiotics or one of the several products which are designed to stop or restrict poop eating and help them digest food easier. Always consult with a professional before introducing any supplements to your Frenchie’s diet.
4. Train Your Frenchie
Training is key to addressing unwanted behaviors, and poop eating is no exception. In each and every case, it is vital to communicate with your Frenchie that this behavior is unacceptable. You can use a unique sound or command like “leave it” and “drop it” specifically for this situation to reinforce the message effectively. These will come in handy when you catch them eyeing that pile of poop.
Here is a tip that one of our dear clients, Donna shared in the TomKings Frenchie Family:
“When we went outside, she would poop and as soon as I saw her turn to start indulging herself, I made a sharp ‘eh’ sound but would not look in her direction, just side glance. It would catch her off guard and she would move away. I did that every time so she would associate the sound with the eating of the poop. She no longer eats her poop outside, but if she occasionally poops in her crate, she may, but she does not do it all the time.”
As with any training, consistency is key. Positive reinforcement is also very effective in reinforcing a desired behavior, so if your Frenchie stays away from their poop, give a reward such as treats and praise.
5. Teach the Command “NO”
One of the most important rules that your Frenchie needs to learn is that when you say “no” they should stop immediately whatever they’re doing. With poop eating this is especially true, as the health of your furry friend is at stake: regular poop eating can lead to diarrhea and other issues. In addition to poop, your Frenchie might also find all sorts of dangerous things outside which could even be fatal when ingested.
So, here’s what you should do. Take a bowl that is not your Frenchie’s and put some delicious food in it. Put it on the floor somewhere you don’t normally feed your puppy and keep your eyes on them. If they notice it or even start going towards it, tell them “NO” immediately!
Imagine that it is something poisonous that would end your baby’s life if they ate it (we know, it’s a horrible thought but it can help you become even more determined!). You need to make sure that your Frenchie doesn’t eat from the bowl, it will really depend on your puppy’s character how strict you’ll need to be.
Wait for the moment they want to eat it and step in! If they leave the food right away, praise them and show how happy you are. It usually takes no more than 2 practices and your puppy won’t ever eat anything off the ground again when you say “NO”!
6. Provide Enough Exercise and Mental Stimulation
We’ve mentioned before that boredom can sometimes lead to coprophagia. So, keeping your Frenchie mentally and physically stimulated can help redirect their energy and prevent them from resorting to poop-eating. Provide your puppy with interactive toys, play with them regularly, and take them for daily walks to keep their minds engaged and their bodies active. Read our article on how much exercise French Bulldogs need to learn everything about the topic!
7. Seek Help if Needed
If the poop-eating behavior persists or is causing significant concern, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Your vet or a certified dog behaviorist can provide further guidance and develop a tailored plan to address the issue. They will evaluate your Frenchie’s specific situation and provide expert advice to help you overcome this challenge. You can also post your problem in our Facebook group where you’ll be helped by great Frenchie parents and ourselves.
Remember that breaking habits takes time and patience. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to success. With your love, care, and a proactive approach, you can help your French Bulldog kick the poop-eating habit and lead a healthier, happier life.
FAQ
- Why is my French Bulldog puppy eating poop?
- Frenchie puppies may eat their poop because of natural instincts, nutritional deficiencies, boredom or some kind of underlying health issue.
- How to get my French Bulldog to stop eating poop?
- Cleaning up your puppy’s poop, ensuring a balanced diet, training and providing enough exercise can help to stop coprophagia in your Frenchie.
If you’d like to learn more about the topic, join our Facebook group called TomKings Frenchie Family to read our Frenchie parents’ experiences.
The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies, or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article.
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16 thoughts on “How to stop Frenchies from eating their poop?”
Great information, we have had our baby for 10 days and the poop eating really grossed us out. He also has diarrhea so we can catch him as he licks at it and pick him up quickly. We just say “no”, but not yelling, that was good info not to stress him out. Has vet appt this week. He eats good and drinks good, our first Frenchie but not our first puppy by a long shot.
We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us directly if you have any further questions! 🙂
My 12 week old Frenchie boy just ate his poo for the first time and I almost died. Having dogs my whole life I have never seen or even heard of this. Instinctively, and regrettably I screamed at him and put him outside. After researching that it is quite normal, although terribly disgusting, I realize my actions were wrong. I cannot figure out why this occurred. He literally has food in his bowl and has been playing with the kids and cat for the past hour. In potty training him he has been scolded for going the bathroom in the house so is it possible he ate it to try to hide the evidence? I know that seems silly but that’s the only reason I could think he would eat it all the sudden today. Help!
In their first months it is normal that they want to eat their poop, in our experience.
Their mom is doing the same with their poop when she is feeding them.
Please watch him and don’t let him to do it.
Shout at him just in case you see doing it! 🙂
O have a 2 yr old Frenchie that is eating his poop. He doesn’t go outside except to urinate. He goes on a pad in the bathroom and immediately eats it. What should I do?
Hi Joy,
Thank you for your comment!
Eating feces, a behavior known as coprophagia, can be quite common in dogs, including French Bulldogs. While it can be unpleasant and concerning, there are several steps you can take to address this behavior:
Consult a veterinarian: It’s important to rule out any potential underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to coprophagia. Your vet can perform a thorough examination and offer guidance specific to your Frenchie’s health.
Ensure a balanced diet: Evaluate your dog’s current diet and make sure it provides all the necessary nutrients. Sometimes, coprophagia can be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. If needed, consult your vet for dietary recommendations or consider switching to a high-quality dog food.
Clean up promptly: Make sure to clean up your dog’s waste immediately to prevent access to it. By removing the temptation, you can discourage the behavior.
Reinforce good behavior: When your Frenchie eliminates in the appropriate spot, such as on the pad in the bathroom, provide positive reinforcement with praise, treats, or toys. This will help reinforce the desired behavior and create a positive association.
Increase physical and mental stimulation: Make sure your Frenchie receives enough physical exercise and mental stimulation through playtime, interactive toys, and regular walks. Boredom or excess energy can lead to unwanted behaviors, so providing appropriate outlets for their energy can help reduce coprophagia.
Try deterrents: There are products available that can be applied to your dog’s stool to make it taste unpleasant. These deterrents, available at pet stores or through your vet, can discourage your Frenchie from eating their waste.
Supervise closely: Until the behavior improves, closely supervise your dog when they are in the bathroom area. This way, you can quickly redirect their attention if they attempt to eat their waste and provide an alternative activity or toy.
Remember, consistency and patience are key when addressing behavioral issues. If the problem persists or worsens despite your efforts, consider seeking guidance from a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist who can provide personalized advice and training techniques for your Frenchie.
Have a great day!
We just brought home our 9.5 week old frenchie puppy less than a week age. He has begun eating his stool. We can not clean it fast enough! During the day we have to keep all eyes on him to prevent him from eating it. At night I have been doing my best to wake up every 2 hours to clean his crate but am afraid he is eating far to much. Any help or advise what I can do or give him to help him stop this!! Recently started 4 medications for parasites.
Hi Lauren. We have a closed Facebook group with our puppies’ happy families who are happy to help each other with any questions. You can find useful info, tips and tricks in this topic under the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149832885108427/post_tags/?post_tag_id=2948924555199252
Please feel free to join to group and look around although only TomKings puppy owners are allowed to post in the group. 🙂
My frenchie Zorro ate his poop till he was almost 1 years old but the trick was to pick it up right away and no give him the freedom of being able to go back to eat it! I tried Probiotics and Pumpkin! Nothing worked but patience and perseverance !
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Picking it up instantly definitely helps a lot. 🙂 I hope Zorro is doing great now. 🙂
My Coco, eat her poop and our cat poop from her litter box 🙄 until she was about 1.5 years
Nothing helped. Even when shit starts pooping twice a day and we would walk her, she would come home and eat cats poop. Now she ignores it
Hi Yana!
I’m happy to hear that Coco has finally stopped this behavior. 🙂
Hi ,
I have a French bulldog, she’s roughly 5 years old and iv had her for about 2 months. She came from not a very good living situation, she was found at the back of a barn on a slab of concrete with no food or water, severely malnourished, used for breeding, poor thing didn’t even have a name. She’s been doing amazing now, she’s up to a healthier weight and is enjoying life with my other dog and kids. However, every night or every time I go out I have line the floor with dog pads as she’s still not fully house trained but iv noticed she eats her own poop then for most of the following the day she will be sick and refuse to eat her actual food. How do I help stop her? Considering she’s an older dog and iv never actually caught her doing it to tell her ‘no’or make the ‘eh’ sound. I don’t understand why she’s doing It for.
Hi Kristy,
Well, it would be difficult to say the exact reason why she’s doing it as it can have many reasons. It might be a bad habit from her past but you should also check her nutrition, as she might miss some nutrients from her diet.
You can try probiotics or one of the several products which are designed to stop or restrict poop eating and help them digest food easier. An other option is to sprinkle her food with parsley or pepper spray. Also, it might be more difficult to train her now, but it’s not impossible if you are consistent. 🙂
Joli1967”@icloud.com
My cousin has 4 adults in a big cage but the eat their poop every day!! Please help!!!
Hi Yolanda,
We have sent you an email with recommendations.