As gross as eating poo seems to humans, it is actually a common habit for most dogs.
But the possible explanations why they eat poo tend to vary from behavioural to medical reasons.
So let's have a look at some behavioural reasons:
Before being domesticated our dogs were natural scavengers attracted to scent and fed on other animals' waste
Puppies (and kittens) are naturally curious little creatures so it's only instinctive for them to nibble some poo as part of an exploring activity (thankfully most grow out of this)
A mother with babies will clean up after their young by consuming their poo to keep her den clean (and this is very necessary in the wild to not attract predators by the scent)
Dogs can learn this behaviour from others eating poo
Sadly it can also come from pure boredom when left home alone all day or to relieve stress
There are some medical reasons too such as:
If it's a regular occurrence and you are concerned, you may want to take your pet to the vet and make sure it is not because of an underlying health issue - this is particularly the case for cats, who usually only eat poo as an indicator of a medical problem
Some pets eat poo because they are not absorbing enough nutrients due to poor digestive enzymes, they have parasites or they have pancreatic issues
Conditions such as diabetes and thyroid problems can cause an increased appetite which can lead to pets to be hungry enough to eat poo
Overfeeding can also cause health issues. Overfed dogs can’t absorb all the nutrients in their food so they may try to 'recycle' their nutrient-rich poo
What can you do about it?
First, if you're already feeding our food then you're already on the right track! Our food is Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) and contains everything they need to keep them in tip-top condition
Keep things clean and pick up after them to reduce any opportunity
Keep your pet mentally and physically busy and entertained
Finally check your pet's poo regularly for parasites (a stick to break it up can help... and a good eye!)