Why do Chihuahuas eat poop? First, let’s just get this out of the way:
Yes, your Chihuahua might be a tiny, prancing prince or princess—but that royal little nose may have a very unroyal habit.
If you’ve ever caught your Chi sneaking off for a not-so-gourmet snack in the backyard or delicately “cleaning up” after another pet in the household, you’ve witnessed the dreaded behavior known as coprophagia—the technical term for eating poop. Yep, it’s a thing. And no, your dog isn’t broken. It is a very common behavior problem in dogs in general.
But don’t worry—we’re going to break down why your Chihuahua might be doing it, and more importantly, how to put an end to the madness before your dog earns the nickname “Sir Poops-a-Lot.”
Why On Earth Would a Chihuahua Eat Poop?
It turns out there are several reasons, ranging from “totally natural” to “please get that dog a therapist.”
1. It’s Instinctual (Blame Their Great-Great-Great Grandma)
In the wild, canine mothers would eat their puppies’ feces to keep the den clean and free from predators. It’s gross, but it made sense. While your Chihuahua lives in a cushy apartment with squeaky toys and filtered water, those ancient instincts haven’t completely left the building.
2. They’re Copycats (Or Copy-dogs?)
If you have other dogs in the house who engage in this behavior—or if your Chi saw another pup doing it at the park—they might’ve picked up the habit just because it looked… oddly interesting. Kind of like when humans got into kale smoothies.
3. Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Poop? They’re Bored or Anxious
A bored Chihuahua is a creative Chihuahua. If they’re under-stimulated, they might turn to this gross habit simply to pass the time or self-soothe.
4. Attention-Seeking Behavior
If your Chi figures out that eating poop makes you leap across the yard shrieking like a banshee, they might just keep doing it for the attention. Negative attention is still attention to them!
5. Nutritional Deficiencies
Sometimes, dogs eat poop because their bodies are craving something they’re not getting—like enzymes, fiber, or certain vitamins. It’s like trying to find protein in a potato chip. (Spoiler: it’s not there.)
How to Put a Stop to the Poop Buffet
Now that we know the “why,” let’s dive into the “how the heck do we make it stop?”
1. Clean It Up. Like, Fast.
The less opportunity your dog has to snack, the better. Be on poop patrol like it’s your full-time job. If you have multiple dogs, clean up all stools immediately—no lingering.
2. Change the Taste (In the Grossest Way Possible)
There are safe, vet-approved supplements (like For-Bid, Coprophagia Deterrents, or even plain old pineapple) that make poop taste unpleasant. Which is ironic, because… it’s poop. But apparently, it can get worse.
3. Feed a High-Quality Diet
Ensure your Chi is getting all the nutrients they need. Switch to a well-balanced, high-quality dog food with good digestibility. Sometimes poor digestion leads to poop that still smells like food. (Ew.)
4. Use Commands & Training
Teach the “leave it” command and reward your dog for obeying. Practice in situations where poop isn’t involved so they get really good at it. Then bring it to the battlefield (aka your yard).
5. More Play, Less Poop-Eating
Bored dogs find weird hobbies. Increase mental stimulation with toys, games, and puzzles. Walks and training sessions go a long way too. Tired dogs don’t tend to go scavenging.
6. Rule Out Medical Issues
If your Chihuahua is obsessed with poop, a vet visit is smart. Conditions like parasites, malabsorption disorders, or diabetes can be underlying causes.
Final Thoughts: You're Not Alone
Look, it’s not the dinner conversation you want to have, but you’re far from the only Chihuahua parent dealing with this unpleasant habit. With a little strategy, consistency, and maybe a strong stomach, you can kick the poop buffet off the menu for good.
And just remember: your Chihuahua may eat poop, but they also love you unconditionally, dance like they’re starring in a TikTok video, and make the best little cuddlers on Earth.
Just… maybe not right after a backyard snack.
on a personal note:
If you are like me and have multiple Chihuahuas this is a habit that is even more difficult to break. None of mine ate poop until I adopted a rescue Chihuahua (I won’t mention names so as not to embarrass the culprit) and then soon they were all but 2 doing it! Remember the “copy cat ….er, copy dog” above. Yep, it’s true they will copy one another in adopting this nasty habit.
I realize that it may be impossible to clean up after them immediately. If that is the case with you, the “leave it” command is your best friend! Learn it (together) and practice it! Good luck!