Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-24-2020
Abstract
In one study, around 16% of pet dogs in the USA regularly consumed feces. Another study from Ethiopia found that dogs (but not wolves) regularly consumed human feces and further research discovered many examples of dogs eating human feces. Among the iKung bushmen in Southern Africa, dogs are not eaten because of their consumption of human waste. This behavior may have been important in the evolution of dogs because human waste is typical high in protein.
Recommended Citation
Herzog, Harold, Did eating Human Poop Play a Role in the Evolution of Dogs? (2020), 'Animals and Us' Blog Posts, Psychology Today, 24 August, 118. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/202008/did-eating-human-poop-play-role-in-the-evolution-dogs
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