Why do Dogs Eat Rabbit Poop?
Rabbit poop seems to be a delicacy for some dogs, but why? You might feel disgusted and confused by your dog’s behavior. Rest assured, dogs eating rabbit poop is a common occurrence (1). Many animals I’ve cared for over the years were obsessed with bunny droppings. Dogs love eating rabbit poop for various reasons: curiosity, instinctive behavior, coprophagia, and the appealing fiber and probiotics. This article will answer your questions and share helpful ways to curb this behavior.
1. Curiosity
Dogs are curious creatures who like to explore their environment with their mouths. They may try anything that smells interesting, including rabbit poop. Why?
Your dog’s nose is his window to the world. He can smell things that you can’t even imagine. That’s why he sniffs everything around him, to learn and explore. Dogs have a sense of smell that is much stronger than ours.
Dogs can detect some smells in parts per trillion and distinguish different components of a complex odor. Smelling is like seeing, and rabbit poop is like a colorful painting for them.
2. Instinct
Dogs share a common ancestry with wolves, which hunt rabbits for food. By eating rabbit poop, dogs may mask their smell and elude their prey’s senses. This instinct also explains why some animals enjoy rolling in poop or other odorous substances; it may be a way to:
- Override another animal’s scent
- Intentionally leave their scent as a warning
- Camouflage themselves and hunt better by hiding their smell
3. Coprophagia
Coprophagia is the scientific term for eating feces. Some dogs may develop this habit due to stress, boredom, anxiety, or attention-seeking. They may also learn it from other dogs or animals that do the same. Coprophagia is normal for (2):
- Nursing females who clean their den by eating their young’s poop
- Puppies who experiment with poop out of curiosity or playfulness
But for adult dogs, it’s abnormal to consume their own or other dogs’ feces.
4. Nutrition
Rabbit poop contains fiber and good bacteria that can benefit dogs’ digestion and gut health (3). Some dogs may eat rabbit poop to enhance their diet or to deal with digestive issues.
But this behavior doesn’t mean they have a health problem or need more food. Most dogs who eat rabbit poop are in good shape and well-nourished (1).
The Good and the Bad of Dogs Eating Rabbit Poop
For dogs, there may be some appealing benefits to eating rabbit poop, but with this behavior also come some risks.
The Good
As mentioned above, rabbit poop can provide some fiber and probiotics for dogs, which can improve their bowel movements and immune system.
- Fiber is a carbohydrate that feeds the good bacteria in the gut
- Probiotics are living microorganisms that benefit the host’s health
A diet high in fiber and probiotics can help dogs maintain balanced gut flora and prevent digestive issues. Also, some dogs crave the taste or texture of rabbit poop, which can satisfy their chewing needs and relieve boredom.
The Bad
IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: While dogs eating rabbit poop may develop bad breath, dental problems, or behavioral issues, the actual health risks are generally LOWER than commonly believed (4).
What veterinarians actually say about rabbit poop health risks:
- Most healthy dogs experience minimal risks from eating rabbit poop (5). The main concerns are mild digestive upset and possible exposure to parasites, though serious complications are rare
- The majority of organisms in rabbit feces are species-specific and cannot infect dogs (6)
- Eimeria (coccidia found in rabbit droppings) is NOT parasitic in dogs and simply passes through their intestinal tract (6)
- Giardia cross-infection from rabbits to dogs is rare due to different digestive tract anatomy and strain specificity (7)
- The risk is slightly higher in immunosuppressed animals or puppies
What you should watch for:
Watch for signs like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite. Most symptoms are mild and resolve within 24-48 hours. If your dog shows persistent symptoms (lasting more than 1-2 days) or unusual behavior, contact your veterinarian.
Parasites to be aware of (though transmission risk is low):
| Disease | Description | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Coccidia (Eimeria) | Protozoan parasite — NOT parasitic in dogs; passes through | Usually none in dogs |
| Giardia | Protozoan parasite — rare cross-infection | Bloating, gas, diarrhea (if infected) |
| Tularemia | Bacterial infection — rare | Usually, none in dogs |
The bottom line: While rabbit poop isn’t ideal and can cause mild gastroenteritis, it’s generally not as dangerous as commonly portrayed. The good news is that rabbit droppings are generally not toxic to dogs. Most healthy dogs won’t experience serious issues from occasional consumption of rabbit poop (4).
How to Keep Dogs from Eating Rabbit Poop
To break your dog’s habit of eating rabbit poop, you need to find out why he does it and give him other options.
1. Limit Your Dog’s Access to Rabbit Poop
The most straightforward way to prevent dogs from eating rabbit poop is to limit their access to it by:
- Walking your dog on a leash outside
- Fencing off your backyard or garden
- Cleaning up any rabbit droppings regularly
- Keeping your rabbit in a secure cage or enclosure
2. Teach Your Dog to Leave It
Teaching your pup a command such as “leave it” or “drop it” is another effective way to put an end to this behavior (9).
You can carry out some basic training at home using a technique called “positive reinforcement”; that term refers to using treats, praise, or toys to reward more appropriate behavior (i.e., ignoring or dropping feces).
A deterrent spray or device (like a water bottle or a noise maker) can also be an effective discouragement tool.
3. Give Your Dog a Well-Balanced Diet
Now is the ideal opportunity to talk to your vet about any dietary changes or supplements your dog may need. You want your pet to get enough nutrition from their meals so they don’t seek out alternative sources. It’s important to choose a high-quality dog food appropriate for their age, size, breed, and activity level.
For dogs that lack certain nutritional needs and who have sensitive stomachs, 
Note on nutritional deficiencies: While nutritional deficiencies can cause coprophagia, they are not common for dogs fed commercial diets (2). Deficiencies are instead more common in dogs fed raw or homemade diets. If a dog suddenly begins to eat feces, it may be a sign of health conditions that cause increased appetite, such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (2).
4. Challenge Your Dog to Brain Training
If boredom or stress drives dogs towards eating rabbit poop, you can curb this behavior by giving them more physical exercise. However, introducing some special problem-solving activities for dogs can be further beneficial to help prevent unwanted behaviors (10).
Make your pup’s life more fun and busy with exercise, play, friends, training, toys, puzzles, or games. They’ll be happier and less bored. Also, give your pet a designated, cozy, safe space to relax and unwind.
Final Thoughts
This article has helped you understand why dogs are obsessed with eating rabbit poop and how to stop them from doing so. With some patience and persistence, you can train your dog to leave the bunny droppings alone and enjoy other things instead.
Remember, your dog isn’t acting this way to annoy or upset you. They are just acting on their instincts or dealing with something. You can help your pup break this habit by following these tips and showing love, care, and guidance.
Key takeaway: While dogs eating rabbit poop is gross and should be discouraged, it’s generally less dangerous than commonly believed. Most healthy dogs experience only mild digestive upset, if anything. Focus on prevention strategies like training “leave it” commands and limiting access, but don’t panic if your dog occasionally snacks on rabbit droppings.
Sources and Further Reading
- My Dog Ate Rabbit Poop! Here’s What A Veterinarian Says To Do – Canine Journal
- Why Your Dog Eats Poop and How to Stop It – Preventive Vet
- Why Dogs Eat Rabbit Poop – Animal Ark Animal Hospital
- My Dog Ate Rabbit Poop! Should I Be Worried? (Our Vet Answers) – Dogster
- Why Do Dogs Eat Rabbit Poop? – Is It Dangerous? – Dogs Planet
- The Scoop on Dogs Eating Poop: Can Dogs Get Sick from Ingesting Stool – Patton Veterinary Hospital
- Can Dogs Get Giardia from Rabbits? – Rabbit Care Tips
- Tularemia in Dogs – VCA Animal Hospitals
- How to Train Your Dog to “Leave It” – American Kennel Club
- Why Do Dogs Eat Rabbit Poop? Will It Make My Pet Sick? – K9 of Mine
