Most people think of dogs as cuddly creatures who love to snuggle up on the couch with their humans. But have you ever seen your dog nibble on a blanket?
If so, you’re not alone!
Many dog owners have curious pups that can’t resist gnawing on fabrics. So if your question is: “why does my dog nibble on blankets and clothes”, here are seven possible reasons.
Contents
- 7 Reasons Why Does Your Dog Nibbles On Blankets
- How to keep your dog busy enough to stop nibbling on blankets?
- Final words
7 Reasons Why Does Your Dog Nibbles On Blankets
1. Nervous behavior
If your dog is chewing on a blanket because of anxiety, the behavior may not last very long. Most dogs don’t even realize why they’re doing it – it’s just their way of dealing with stress. So as soon as the pup calms down, he’ll stop.
2. Boredom
Dogs who spend a lot of time alone can develop some bad habits, and chewing on blankets or other fabrics is one example. If your dog has trouble keeping himself occupied during the day, try interactive dog toys. They’re great for stimulating pups mentally.
3. Habit
Some dogs just have a blanket-chewing habit that they refuse to give up! If your canine has been doing it for quite some time, he may keep gnawing on materials even when his favorite toy is nearby. But don’t worry – it’s not too late to get the behavior under control.
How to deal with your dog’s habits?
Punishment is an ineffective way to deal with the behavior; it may make your dog even more anxious. Don’t yell at, kick or otherwise physically punish your dog for chewing on blankets – the practice will only turn into a power struggle.
Instead, simply remove all blankets and other fabrics from your pup’s environment when you’re not around. If your dog is confined to an area with no fabric, he’ll have no choice but to give up the behavior.
If you want playtime to last longer than 10 minutes, try using interactive toys to keep your pup mentally stimulated before you leave him alone. They’re also great for when you’re at home but busy doing other things.
4. Illness
In rare cases, dogs can chew on fabric because of a health problem. If your dog is licking or chewing excessively , take him to a vet for a checkup. It could be that he has some kind of infection or injury that’s causing discomfort.
Don’t worry – the problem should be treatable. For example, dogs who are chewing because of a tartar build-up have their teeth professionally cleaned.
5. Nutrition
Why do dogs nibble on things?
Well, some dogs may try to devour bedding because of nutritional deficiencies. For instance, if your pup doesn’t get enough fat in his diet, he could crave fatty substances like blankets. Talk to your veterinarian about including fatty supplements in your dog’s daily meal plan – no walnuts, though, that’s a humans-only fat source!
6. Teething
Every dog goes through a teething stage when he’s about eight to 12 months old. Puppies have 28 teeth that come in one by one between three and six months of age. Keep an eye on your pup during this exciting time because chewing is the main way that dogs soothe their pain while their teeth grow in.
If your dog is nibbling on blankets during his teething stage, distract him with interactive chew toys. They’ll help him pass the time and feel better – and he won’t make a mess of your living room!
7. Lack Of Exercise
If your furry friend doesn’t get to run around enough during the day, he might have excess energy that needs to be drained somehow. One of the ways dogs release pent-up energy is through chewing, so it’s possible that your dog’s blanket-biting has something to do with his lack of playing time. Get his collar and muzzle on, and take him on an adventure!
How to keep your dog busy enough to stop nibbling on blankets?
Take your dog for a walk, play fetch inside the house or go to obedience class. If you need some indoor activities, try using interactive toys – there are so many of them! They’re great because you can leave the room and let your dog get cozy without chewing anything up. The toys keep him busy until you get back.
Moreover, you can play some fun games with your pup so they don’t continue chewing on favorite blankets or toys.
One of the most popular ways is by playing “hide and seek.” You can either hide somewhere unexpected, like under a bush in their backyard; if you haven’t taken them outside recently, then try going underneath furniture such as chairs –this will keep those prying eyes away from what’s important!
Another idea would be leaving out treats around one room. The key with these tricks is making them work – they may not be ideal for you and your pup, so it’s important to find ideas that seem to help the most!
Final words
So, the next time you find your dog nibbling on a blanket or chewing up an old pair of shoes, don’t worry. They’re just getting some much-needed mental stimulation and it’s not because they’re trying to ruin everything in sight! Remember that dogs are social animals who crave attention from their pack members.
We hope these 7 reasons have helped clear up any confusion about “why do dogs nibble on blankets” or other items around the house!
Now go give him (or her) a hug and show them how much they mean to you!
