Coprophagia

Coprophagia is the consumption of feces by an animal. This is a behavior sometimes observed, with considerable disgust, by dog owners.

Hofmeister, Cumming, and Dhein (2001) write that this behavior has not been well-researched, and they are (as of this writing) preparing a study. In a preliminary online paper, they write that there are various theories explaining why animals consume other animals' feces. According to one theory, dogs might do this in order to get attention from their owners. On a different theory, dogs observe their owners picking up feces, and imitate this behavior. Other theories postulate that a dog might eat feces in order to prevent the scent from attracting predators, and that dogs might eat feces simply because they are hungry.

References:

• Hofmeister, Erik, Melinda Cumming, and Cheryl Dhein. 2001. "Owner Documentation of Coprophagia in the Canine." Online website: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/pets/study.htm. Accessed January 11, 2001.

External links:

• [1] King County, Washington, Animal Control Section. "Eating His Own or Other Animal Feces."