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New food causing coprophagia?

Q: I have a 12 week old female cavapoo (6.5 pounds) that I switched to natural balance so that she would be on the same thing as my yorkie. We did a gradual transition and today is actually the first day solely on natural balance. Lately she has started eating her own poop? Is this normal? How do I stop this behavior? She was eating royal Canin.

A: The food change and her poop habit are probably not related. Here is some information on coprophagia: Coprophagy is the term for eating poop, it is a frustrating habit for owners but it is not harmful to the puppy. If the puppy had intestinal parasites you can make a point that he reinfects himself but your veterinarian will be sure that he is free of intestinal parasites and suggest products to prevent that from happening. There are products available to help discourage your puppy from consuming poop, they are available in powder, tablet and soft chew forms. The principle behind these products is to use enzyme action to chemically alter the feces inn hopes that it creates a change in the smell and attractiveness of the poop. I wouldn't consider one of these products to be superior to the others in fact I have found that a product that works very nicely for one puppy has no effect on other puppies. Pick a place to start and be aware that the product has to be used at least a couple times daily and may need to be used for 2-3 weeks. If your first choice fails move on to another. Before all the products for puppies were available a sprinkling of unseasoned meat tenderizer (source of enzymes) often work. Even if your choices don't completely solve the problem right away most puppies will eventually stop this frustrating habit.