Seeing your old dog eating poop is unsettling and confusing. While this behavior is common in puppies, it is not typical in senior dogs — and often a sign of an underlying medical, behavioral, or cognitive issue.
We outline the common reasons why an old dog may eat poop, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Old Dog Eating Poop: Why It Happens
An old dog eating poop is usually experiencing nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, cognitive decline, anxiety, chronic illness, or changes in the senses that affect how they perceive food and waste.
While some older dogs eat stool out of habit or curiosity, most cases reflect a new medical or behavioral shift that needs attention.
Senior dogs have different needs than younger dogs, and poop-eating often indicates that something in the body or brain is changing.
Old Dog Eating Poop: Common Causes
Cognitive Dysfunction (Dog Dementia)
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the most frequent causes of poop-eating in senior dogs. As the brain ages, memory and awareness decline, and dogs may forget routines or lose their understanding of what is appropriate.
A dog who never ate stool before may begin doing so because they no longer recognize feces as something to avoid. Instead, they may view it as food, as a routine task, or simply as an object in their environment.
Cognitive decline also causes confusion, pacing, nighttime restlessness, and changes in appetite. These shifts can make an old dog more likely to eat stool without understanding the behavior, especially during moments of disorientation.
Dogs with dementia also lose interest in previous habits such as waiting to eliminate outdoors or avoiding their own droppings.
When the brain becomes less capable of processing sensory information correctly, poop-eating becomes more likely.
Read more: Old dog belly hard and bloated (What it means)
Digestive Enzyme Deficiency or Poor Nutrient Absorption
As dogs age, their digestive system becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients. Conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, or age-related enzyme deficiencies can lead to undigested nutrients passing through the stool.
When stool contains partially digested protein or fat, it may still smell “food-like” to the dog, making it more appealing.
Senior dogs experiencing malabsorption often feel hungry even after eating or crave additional calories because their body is not getting what it needs from their regular diet.
This internal drive may push them to eat stool as a misguided attempt to correct a nutritional shortage.
Dogs with digestive issues may also lose weight, experience gas or loose stools, or show changes in appetite that coincide with poop-eating.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Certain illnesses make old dogs feel unusually hungry, which may lead them to eat poop.
Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid imbalances, and some types of cancer can all create intense, persistent hunger that causes dogs to eat anything they find — including stool.
When blood sugar levels fluctuate or cortisol levels rise, appetite becomes harder for the dog to regulate.
A dog may begin scavenging in ways they never have before simply because their internal hunger signals are constantly active.
Even dogs with kidney or liver disease may turn to stool because their body is trying to compensate for nutrient imbalances.
Increased hunger in seniors is a red flag, especially when paired with poop-eating, weight changes, excessive thirst, or restlessness around food.
Anxiety, Stress, or Compulsive Behavior
Old dogs develop new anxiety patterns as they age, and poop-eating is sometimes a coping behavior.
Changes in the home, loss of a companion, moving, sensory decline, or separation anxiety can cause stress that leads dogs to seek repetitive or soothing actions.
For some, eating stool becomes a compulsive behavior similar to pacing or licking. Senior dogs that feel insecure or overwhelmed may eat poop immediately after eliminating because they do not know what else to do with it or because the behavior momentarily reduces anxiety.
Dogs with cognitive decline or hearing and vision loss may feel especially vulnerable, making them more prone to stress-induced behaviors such as poop-eating.
This type of anxiety-driven behavior often appears suddenly and may worsen at night or when the dog is left alone.
Senses Declining With Age
Older dogs experience natural changes in their senses, especially smell and taste. As these senses fade, poop may not smell as offensive to them as it does to humans.
Stool from dogs eating high-fat, high-protein diets can sometimes smell similar to their actual food when their sense of smell is dull.
A dog may not be able to distinguish the difference. Vision decline also contributes. If the dog cannot clearly see what is in front of them, they may accidentally sniff or ingest stool while exploring or eating.
Combined sensory loss means the dog relies more on texture and guesswork, which increases the chance of stool-eating in seniors who are confused, under-stimulated, or nutritionally unsatisfied.
Insufficient Diet or Low-Quality Food
Although not always the primary cause, some older dogs eat poop because their diet is lacking.
Diets low in specific nutrients, fiber, or digestibility can cause cravings or hunger that encourages stool-eating.
Senior dogs with poor-quality diets may not feel satisfied after meals because the nutrients are not being absorbed effectively, which leads them to seek alternative sources of food-like material.
A dog who feels consistently underfed or nutritionally deprived is more likely to scavenge. While a high-quality senior diet is not a cure-all, improving nutrition often reduces poop-eating significantly.
Read more: Old Dog Behavior Change (What shifts with age)
What to Do If Your Old Dog Is Eating Poop
Start by observing when and where the behavior happens. Some dogs eat poop only outside; others eat their own stool indoors or immediately after defecating. The pattern can provide clues about whether the behavior is driven by confusion, hunger, or habit.
Clean up stool promptly, as removing access is the simplest first step. Providing easily digestible, nutrient-rich food helps make the body feel satisfied, and adding digestive enzymes or probiotics may support healthier digestion.
If your dog seems confused, anxious, or restless, maintain a predictable routine, use calming aids, or provide gentle reassurance during stressful times.
Offer mental stimulation through scent games, slow feeders, and short, calm walks to redirect focus.
Avoid punishment, as old dogs eating poop usually cannot control the behavior and may become more anxious if corrected harshly.
If the behavior begins suddenly, becomes frequent, or is paired with weight loss, appetite changes, or increased thirst, have your dog evaluated for underlying medical issues.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should seek veterinary care if your old dog is eating poop and shows additional concerning signs such as weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or sudden hunger spikes.
These symptoms may indicate digestive disease, diabetes, or endocrine disorders.
If your dog appears confused, paces at night, or exhibits other signs of cognitive decline, diagnostic evaluation can help guide treatment.
Sudden poop-eating in a dog that never did it before is almost always worth discussing with your veterinarian, as senior-onset behavioral changes frequently involve medical causes.
If your dog starts eating stool obsessively, cannot be distracted, or begins consuming large quantities, the behavior may reflect anxiety, dementia, or extreme hunger that requires intervention.
Dogs with recurring infections, nutrient deficiencies, or chronic illnesses also need medical support to manage stool-eating effectively.
Read more: Old Dog Doesn’t Want to Walk (Why it happens)
Key Takeaway
An old dog eating poop is usually dealing with cognitive decline, digestive issues, nutritional deficiencies, anxiety, sensory loss, or illness that alters appetite and behavior.
While the habit may seem strange or upsetting, it is often a symptom of something deeper rather than a behavioral choice.
With prompt observation, dietary improvements, environmental support, and veterinary care when necessary, you can help your senior dog feel secure, comfortable, and healthy as they age.