Top 10 Best Dog Food for Poop Eaters
So, your dog loves to munch on nice hot turds in the yard or snatch a steamy, clay sprinkled delight from your cat’s litter box—and you’re concerned. We understand. It’s disgusting for us to watch. But while poop-eating is gross, it’s also a natural phenomenon for some dogs.
Granted, if the change is sudden, your dog might be trying to get certain nutrients from the already-digested material. But some dogs who are otherwise perfectly healthy just can’t wait to grab a log to snack on.
If you have a poop eater, you likely want to remedy the issue. While some diet plans can make a difference, we implore you to seek a vet’s opinion to ensure you’re getting to the root of the problem—just in case there’s more to it.
- Top 10 Best Dog Food for Jack Russell
- Top 10 Best Dog Food for Active Dogs
- Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Basset Hounds
- Top 10 Best Dog Food for Cancer
Here are our reviews of the products that might curb your dog’s desire to dine on dung if it’s diet-related. Let’s dig in.
The 10 Best Dog Foods For Poop Eaters
Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Barley |
| Protein content: | 24% min |
| Fat content: | 15% min |
| Calories: | 3648 kcal/kg, 362 kcal/cup |
Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice for those looking to get the best bang for their buck. This food gets our pick for the best dog food for poop eaters for the money because the quality is great and the price is right. Nutro is even known for testing its formulas for both quality and safety, giving you some extra peace of mind.
They source ingredients directly from reputable farmers and keep the recipes free of GMOs, by-product meals, and any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food is protein-rich and features real chicken as the first ingredient. It also features a blend of 15 different superfoods that balance out the formula with essential vitamins and minerals while assisting with digestion.
As with most dry kibbles, some dogs turned their noses up at the food and refused to even eat it. You may want to test out a smaller bag at first to see how it goes over with your dog. You can also try combining it with fresh or high-quality wet foods to help those picky eaters.
- Some dogs refused to eat the kibble
- Real chicken is the number one ingredient
- Tested for quality and safety
- Reasonably priced
Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Turkey, Kale, Lentils, Carrot, Coconut Oil |
| Protein content: | 11% min |
| Fat content: | 7% min |
| Calories: | 1390 kcal ME/kg |
Of course, we’ll start with our top pick. The spot for best overall dog food for poop eaters goes to the Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe. There’s a reason why the fresh pet food market is taking off like wildfire. Though expensive, it’s the healthiest option for pets and is great for dogs with digestive concerns.
Ollie will ensure the food is proportioned correctly for your dog, taking that responsibility away from you. The fresh turkey recipe features real turkey as the number one ingredient. It also contains a blend of fresh vegetables and fruit for vitamins, nutrients, and fiber.
The added coconut oil is great for skin and coat health, as well as digestion. The added pumpkin is great for digestion and works to soothe the stomach and remove any excess water from the digestive tract.
The FDA is currently investigating a potential link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating food containing legumes like peas or lentils, which are included in the recipe. It’s a good idea to speak to your veterinarian about any potential food changes.
All recipes from Ollie are designed to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for all life stages. This food will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator but up to 6 months unopened in the freezer, so you can certainly stock up if need be. Dog owners rave about how Ollie has drastically improved their pup’s health.
- Lentils are among the legumes being investigated for potential health concerns
- Expensive
- Coconut oil and pumpkin are great ingredients to help with digestion
- Meals come pre portioned for your dog
- Designed to meet AAFCO Dog Nutrient Profile for all life stages
- Real turkey is the number one ingredient
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Puppy – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oat Groats |
| Protein content: | 31%min |
| Fat content: | 15.5% min |
| Calories: | 3,558 kcal/kg, 398 kcal/cup |
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Puppy secures our top pick for the little poop eaters. This recipe is formulated with digestive enzymes, prebiotic fibers, and probiotics to help support gut health and proper digestion.
Wellness is a respected brand that comes recommended by many veterinarians and this particular formula is designed for puppies under 1 year of age. This food is a great way to get your pup off to the right start nutritionally.
Chicken is the number one ingredient in the recipe, which is packed full of protein for healthy muscle development and the added DHA and EPA help support healthy skin and coat and overall cognitive development. The added vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy immunity and growth.
The reviews speak for themselves, as puppy owners go on about how much they love this food and how it has benefited their little ones with more sensitive digestive systems. It does come at a higher price than most kibbles considering the bag size.
- Somewhat expensive
- Contains digestive enzymes, prebiotic fibers, and probiotics for healthy digestion
- Real chicken is the number one ingredient
- Formulated specifically for healthy growth and development for puppies under 1 year
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe – Premium Choice
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Brussels Sprout, Chicken Liver, Bok Choy, Broccoli |
| Protein content: | 11.5% min |
| Fat content: | 8.5% min |
| Calories: | 1300 kcal per kg/ 590 kcal per lb |
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe is another fresh food option that makes an easy pick of your premium choice. Real chicken is the first ingredient and is followed by a blend of brussels sprouts, chicken, liver, bok choy, and broccoli as the main ingredients in the formula.
If your dog has never tried fresh food before, the veggie blend may cause a little gas, which is normal but the company proves an excellent guide to transition over to the food. This recipe and all others from The Farmer’s Dog are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and meet the AAFCO pet food guidelines. The added fish oil is a great source of Omega 3’s, which is excellent for skin and coat health.
The Farmer’s Dog comes pre-portioned and labeled just for your dog. It’s a hit for even the pickiest of eaters and is delivered right to your home, so you never have to worry about running to the store. Subscription services may not be for everyone but it’s super easy to cancel as needed.
As with any fresh food, The Farmer’s Dog is more expensive than your traditional commercial dog foods and will need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Expensive
- It may cause some gas during the transition
- Meets AAFCO guidelines
- Personalized and labeled specifically for your dog
- Formulated by veterinary nutritionists
- Real chicken is the number one ingredient
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, Barley, Rice, Oat Meal, Canola Meal, Fish Meal |
| Protein content: | 26%min |
| Fat content: | 16% min |
| Calories: | 4,049 kcal/kg, 467 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is designed to be easily digestible and is also a great choice for dogs that suffer from food allergies or sensitivities. This food is formulated and is crafted without corn, wheat, or soy and features salmon as the number one ingredient.
Salmon is packed full of protein and nutrients and is a fantastic protein choice, especially for those that are particularly sensitive to other proteins like chicken or beef. The omega fatty acids will help maintain a healthy coat and skin. This formula also features live probiotics and prebiotic fiber, which aid in both the health of the digestive and immune systems.
As far as the reviews go, the biggest downfall was that some dogs won’t touch the food but overall, this is a highly-reviewed food among dog lovers and is even referred to as a game-changer for dogs with sensitivities. There have been some issues with Purina Pro Plan staying in stock, which is a relatively new issue.
- Some dogs won’t eat the kibble
- Issues with current stock
- Great for digestion and immune health
- Real salmon is the number one ingredient
- Ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitivities
Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Dry Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
| Main ingredients: | Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Meal, Organic Oatmeal, Organic Barley, Organic Brown Rice |
| Protein content: | 26% min |
| Fat content: | 15% min |
| Calories: | 3,617 kcal/kg, 383 kcal/cup |
Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe comes veterinary recommended and is fully organic. USDA-certified organic chicken is the first ingredient in this recipe. It features a blend of superfoods like blueberries, flaxseed, oatmeal, barley, and sweet potatoes (all organic, of course) that help aid in digestion and support gut health.
Castor & Pollux is made without artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. They do not include any corn, wheat, soy, chickpeas, or lentils for those that suffer from allergies or food sensitivities to any of those ingredients.
According to the reviews, it didn’t agree with some stomachs and some pups did refuse to even eat the kibble, which isn’t unusual among dry food formulas. The price tag is pretty steep compared to other dry dog foods.
- Expensive
- Some dogs experienced stomach upset
- Fully organic formula with chicken as the number one ingredient
- Made without artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors
- Comes recommended by veterinarians
Taste of the Wild Ancient Wetlands Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Duck, Duck Meal, Chicken Meal, Grain Sorghum, Millet |
| Protein content: | 32% min |
| Fat content: | 18% min |
| Calories: | 3,750 kcal/kg, 425 kcal/cup |
Taste of the Wild Ancient Wetlands features real duck meat as the number one ingredient but also has some roasted quail and smoked turkey included. The Ancient Grains line was more recently introduced as an alternative to the typical Grain-Free line offered by Taste of the Wild.
This food is high in protein and is great for active dogs that could use the digestive support the Wetland recipe offers. This formula supports healthy bones and joints and helps promote lean muscle. It contains K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics and a blend of superfood and ancient grains to promote optimal digestion and overall immunity.
Taste of the Wild food is formulated to meet the nutritional requirement established by AAFCO. The brand is family-owned and the food is made right here in the United States.
It is a reasonably priced food considering the quantity, making it not just good quality, but budget friendly. Some dogs have turned their nose up to this recipe and with high-protein content foods, less active dogs may experience weight gain.
- Weight gain noted in less active dogs
- Some dogs refused to try the food
- Meets AAFCO standards for nutrition
- Reasonably priced
- Real duck is the number one ingredient
- Contains ingredients that support proper digestion
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken Broth, Turkey, Carrots, Pork Liver, Rice |
| Protein content: | 2.8% min |
| Fat content: | 1.9% min |
| Calories: | 253 kcal/can |
Are you on the hunt for high-quality canned wet food for your pup? Well, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin is a great choice for those that like to feast on icky, unsanitary waste. This formula features turkey as the primary protein source and also includes chicken broth, pork liver, and rice to be gentle on digestion.
The recipe contains omega fatty acids and vitamin E for healthy skin and coat maintenance. Hill’s Science Diet is made right here in the United States and comes highly recommended by veterinary professionals.
Highly recommended among many dog owners, it remains a favorite that is like providing your dog an old-fashioned home-cooked meal without the cooking. It can be added as a topper to kibble or fed exclusively. Lots of large dog owners opt for canned foods as a topper, as exclusive wet food can get expensive for the large quantities required. Now, some dogs refused to even try the food, and other picky eaters took right to it.
- Some dogs refused to try the food
- Can be used as a topper to kibble or fed exclusively
- The brand comes highly recommended by veterinarians
- Easily-digested formula
Annamaet Original Option Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Rolled Oats, Lamb Meal |
| Protein content: | 24% min |
| Fat content: | 13% min |
| Calories: | 3802 kcal/kg = 1728 Kcal/lb = 406 kcal/cup |
The Annamaet Original Option formula has the recommendations of veterinarians and breeders. It is formulated with prebiotics and probiotics for digestive support and overall gut health. This formula utilizes salmon as the primary protein source through salmon meal.
It has a combination of whole grains and omega 3 fatty acids with DHA to support healthy skin, coat, and cognitive function. The added L-carnitine helps aid metabolism and promote lean muscle mass.
It is formulated without any corn, wheat, and soy for those that suffer from allergies or sensitivities related to those ingredients. Annamaet Option also contains chelated minerals to help with absorption, a possible issue that some poop-eaters face.
This formula does smell like fish, which is expected from salmon varieties. Some dogs turned their noses up at the recipe but overall, it gets great reviews from owners, especially those with dogs that suffer from sensitives.
- Has a fishy smell
- Vet recommended
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
- Aids in metabolism and absorption of the food
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley |
| Protein content: | 24% min |
| Fat content: | 13% min |
| Calories: | 3,778 Kcals/kg, 394 Kcals/cup |
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Dry Food makes a formula that is designed for optimal digestion called the True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care formula. This recipe contains prebiotic fiber to help with any associated digestive issues and is ideal for sensitive stomachs.
The recipe is enhanced with essential vitamins and minerals and features LifeSource Bits that are full of antioxidants. Real chicken is the number one ingredient in this formula and it is free from any by-product meals, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. There is no added corn, wheat, or soy, for the sake of those that suffer from sensitivity or allergies to those ingredients.
The True Solutions line is crafted by Ph.D. animal nutritionists and implements ingredients that are clinically proven to help with certain health requirements. The food is priced well and the biggest complaint among dog owners was that some pups just didn’t take to it well in terms of taste.
- Some dogs didn’t like the taste
- Formulated by animal nutritionists
- Designed to support a healthy digestive system and meet all nutritional requirements
- Reasonably priced
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food for Poop Eaters
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
As gross as it might sound to us, our dogs eat poop sometimes. Some dogs crave it, some dogs sample here and there, and a few dogs don’t eat it.
Gut Support
- We want to clarify that not all poop eaters have a nutrient imbalance. They might find what they need in a pile of cat poop—or even their own. But in many cases, a missing nutrient in the diet causes your dog to compensate for what they lack naturally.
- Giving your dog a dog food designed to help total digestion from mouth to gut really can help curb the habit of eating poop. But don’t hold your breath—or do if your dog has been eating fecal matter.
- Often, probiotics can really help, but added prebiotics and easily digestible ingredients are a definite plus.
Activity Level
- When you are considering dog food, activity level is fundamental. Recipes for more active canines generally have higher caloric and carbohydrate content, which can cause weight gain in less active pooches.
- If your dog is a moderately active breed, you can buy practically any standard adult recipe.
Weight
If you have a dog swinging on the edge of being over or underweight, you should buy a recipe to help either side of the coin. Remember to properly portion the meals according to the brand of dog food you purchase.
Life Stage
Dog food is designed to nourish specific age groups and life stages. Some recipes target all life stages, which is fantastic if you never want to change the type of dog food you buy.
Puppy
Puppy chow has an increase in protein, DHA, and glucosamine to provide the right nutrients for optimal growth.
Senior
Seniors’ bodies have passed their prime, and now they are on a slow decline. Providing your senior with a recipe catered to promote bone, muscle, joint, and skin health is imperative.
Adult
Adult dog food is built for the maintenance of current health. It aims to provide the nutrients adults need to keep the correct body mass, muscle mass, skin pH, and fur texture.
Pregnant/Nursing
A canine mama replenishes her own nutrients while providing a whole litter of pups with sustenance. Recipes high in calcium, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals generally help pregnant and nursing pups.
Dry Kibble
Dry kibble has become the gold standard for dog food in recent years, but is it being snuffed out by fresher brands? Dry kibble is terrific because it has a long shelf life, cleans teeth, and holds standards for overall health.
Consistency
If you have a picky pooch with mad preferences, consistency matters! Also, there is much debate on overall health.
Wet
Wet dog food gets some hate, but it has its upsides. The wet cans of dog food enhance appetite, provide additional hydration, and provide a savory eating experience.
Freeze-Dried
Freeze-dried food usually comes as a standalone topper or in combination with dry kibble. When it comes to flavor, some dogs love it, and others seem disinterested, so be prepared to mix! Rarely you might see a dog food type that is entirely freeze-dried.
Fresh
Fresh dog food is receiving all the praise these days. Dogs find it delicious, but the recipes also enhance flavor, boost appetite, and provide wholesome ingredients without heat causing nutrient reduction.
Type
With every dog food consistency comes recipe type.
Everyday Nutrition
Everyday nutrition recipes cater to the majority of most healthy adult dogs, providing a base of solid ingredients carefully balanced for digestion.
Low Calorie
If your dog is packing on the pounds, a lower calorie dog food will help them with weight management without depriving them of nutrition.
High Protein
High protein recipes are excellent for very high activity or metabolism.
Sensitive Stomach
Sensitive stomach recipes are those geared toward soothing your dog’s digestion. Many of these recipes have the necessary ingredients to combat poop eating while supporting the gut.
Limited Ingredient
Some dogs are sensitive to certain common ingredients in commercial dog foods. Limited ingredient diets cut out some of these potential triggers to provide a better experience.
Grain-Free
While rare, some dogs can develop grain allergies. Only a vet can diagnose your dog with this type of issue and don’t feed them grain-free unless directed by a professional.
Final Thoughts
Ollie Fresh Turkey Recipe gets an outstanding review from many dog owners and is a very high-quality fresh food option for any dog. Nutro Ultra is not only more budget-friendly than a lot of the competitors, but it’s also great quality and goes through rigorous testing for safety and quality standards. The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe is another top-notch fresh food brand that is ideal for digestion and overall health.
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Puppy makes a great choice for the young ones under 1 year of age and includes digestive enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics fiber for optimum digestion. Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe comes veterinary recommended and fully organic.
Each of these choices and all others on the list is designed to meet AAFCO guidelines for nutrition, which is of the utmost importance for your dog’s overall health. This ensures your dog is getting their needed nutrients, in case their poop eating was caused by a lack thereof. Whichever food you choose, we hope you found these reviews helpful.
