Seeing your dog eating poop and losing weight can be distressing. Not only is the behavior unpleasant, but the weight loss signals that something deeper may be going wrong with your dog’s health or nutrition.
We outline the common reasons why a dog may eat poop and lose weight, what you can do, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Eating Poop and Losing Weight — Why It Happens
When a dog eats poop and starts losing weight, it’s often linked to poor nutrient absorption, digestive disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. Some dogs may eat feces due to behavioral reasons like boredom or stress, but weight loss usually points to an underlying medical issue.
Problems such as parasites, poor diet, or metabolic conditions can prevent your dog from absorbing enough calories, pushing them to eat poop in an instinctive attempt to regain missing nutrients.
Dog Eating Poop and Losing Weight: Common Causes
1. Intestinal Parasites
Worm infestations are one of the leading causes of both weight loss and coprophagia (poop eating) in dogs.
Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, or whipworms steal nutrients directly from your dog’s digestive system.
This means that even if your dog eats well, their body isn’t getting the nourishment it needs. As a result, you might notice a thinning body, a dull coat, and frequent loose stools.
Dogs suffering from parasites may eat feces instinctively, as their body tries to compensate for the nutrients being lost. Puppies and dogs that visit communal areas or kennels are especially vulnerable.
Regular deworming and fecal checks are essential to rule out this very common cause.
Read more: Dog Eating Poop and Has Diarrhea (Why it happens and what to do)
2. Nutritional Deficiencies or Poor Diet
When a dog’s diet lacks key nutrients like protein, vitamins, or minerals, their body can develop cravings for substances that contain them—even feces.
Low-quality kibble, homemade diets without proper balance, or feeding the wrong food for your dog’s age or breed can all contribute. Over time, this leads to visible weight loss, dry skin, and even behavioral changes like poop eating.
Because the body isn’t properly nourished, digestion suffers, and stools may appear loose or greasy. This malnutrition-driven behavior is the body’s way of saying, “I’m not getting enough.”
Feeding a well-balanced, vet-approved diet with complete nutrients can often help stop the behavior and restore healthy weight.
3. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
EPI is a condition in which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough digestive enzymes to break down food.
Dogs with EPI often eat normally—or even excessively—but continue to lose weight because they can’t absorb nutrients. Their stools are often pale, bulky, and foul-smelling. The constant hunger caused by malnutrition may drive them to eat feces in an attempt to satisfy their nutritional needs.
This condition is more common in breeds like German Shepherds and Rough Collies.
If your dog’s weight keeps dropping despite eating well, EPI testing is crucial. The condition is manageable with pancreatic enzyme supplements and a proper diet.
4. Malabsorption or Digestive Disorders
Chronic digestive issues such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or intestinal infections can prevent your dog from absorbing food properly.
When the intestinal lining becomes inflamed, nutrients pass through without being taken in—causing weight loss, diarrhea, and poor appetite regulation. In response, some dogs begin to eat feces as a way to replenish missing nutrients or beneficial bacteria.
Dogs with chronic digestive issues often show signs like frequent soft stools, flatulence, or vomiting. Left untreated, malabsorption can lead to dangerous nutrient deficiencies and significant weight loss.
5. Behavioral Causes and Stress
Sometimes, the root cause isn’t physical but emotional.
Dogs that are anxious, bored, or stressed may start eating feces as a coping mechanism or due to learned behavior. Stress can also reduce appetite or alter metabolism, contributing to gradual weight loss.
This is especially common in dogs left alone for long periods, in crowded multi-dog homes, or after major life changes like moving or losing a companion.
While behavioral poop eating alone doesn’t usually cause weight loss, it can compound issues when stress leads to poor eating habits or digestive upset. Providing structure, enrichment, and reassurance can make a big difference.
6. Metabolic Diseases (Diabetes, Thyroid, or Cushing’s Disease)
Certain metabolic conditions can cause dogs to lose weight even when they seem to eat well—and unusual behaviors like coprophagia can follow.
Diabetes and hyperthyroidism speed up metabolism, causing the body to burn calories faster than it can replace them. Dogs with Cushing’s disease or other hormonal imbalances may also develop digestive disturbances or odd cravings.
You might notice symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, or muscle wasting. These conditions require bloodwork to diagnose and professional management to stabilize your dog’s weight and behavior.
Read more: Dog Eating Poop and Throwing Up (Why it happens and what to do)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Eating Poop and Losing Weight
Start by evaluating your dog’s diet and overall health.
Make sure you’re feeding a complete and balanced food suitable for your dog’s age, size, and activity level. Avoid cheap fillers or unregulated homemade meals without veterinary guidance. A poor diet can easily lead to nutrient gaps that drive both weight loss and poop eating.
If your dog’s stool seems abnormal, schedule a fecal test and wellness exam. This will help rule out parasites or malabsorption issues. In many cases, a simple deworming treatment can make a big difference.
Ensure your dog always has fresh water and provide probiotics or digestive enzyme supplements (with your vet’s approval) to improve nutrient absorption.
Keep your environment clean and distraction-free—pick up feces immediately, supervise outdoor potty breaks, and discourage access to litter or other animals’ waste. Consistency helps break the habit.
For behavioral cases, increase mental stimulation and physical exercise. Food puzzles, interactive play, and short training sessions can reduce boredom-driven poop eating.
Finally, track your dog’s weight weekly. If weight loss continues despite adequate food, veterinary evaluation is critical.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
If your dog continues to eat poop and lose weight after basic adjustments, it’s time for a veterinary checkup.
Call your vet promptly if your dog has:
Noticeable weight loss over a few weeks
Persistent diarrhea or greasy, foul-smelling stools
Vomiting or visible worms in the stool
Extreme hunger despite eating normally
Lethargy, dull coat, or dehydration
Your veterinarian may perform fecal tests, bloodwork, and possibly imaging to identify conditions like parasites, EPI, or metabolic disease.
Early diagnosis is key—dogs who lose weight rapidly can develop dangerous muscle loss and immune weakness. The sooner the cause is found, the faster your dog can return to a healthy weight and normal digestion.
Read more: Dog Eating Poop and Drinking Lots of Water (What it means)
Key Takeaway
A dog eating poop and losing weight is never just a gross habit—it’s usually a red flag that something deeper is affecting your dog’s health.
From nutrient deficiencies and parasites to serious digestive disorders, the combination of coprophagia and weight loss deserves attention. The good news is that with proper diet, testing, and care, most dogs can recover and thrive again.
Keep your dog’s environment clean, feed a nutritionally complete diet, and involve your vet early if symptoms persist. With the right approach, you can help your dog regain weight, restore balance, and leave their poop-eating habits behind for good.