Have you ever bought your dog a new bed, only to have them start chewing on it within days (or even hours)? If so, you’re not alone.
It’s a common behavior among dogs and one that can be frustrating for pet parents. What’s the point of buying a bed if he’s just going to destroy it? After all, you just spent your hard-earned money on a bed for them to sleep in, not chew up!
So why do they do it, and how can you stop it? Read on to find out.
Common Reasons Why Your Dog Chews Their Bed
If you’ve ever come home to find your dog’s bed in tatters, you might be wondering why they do it. After all, it’s not like they’re eating the bedding or anything—it just looks like they’re trying to destroy it for fun. As it turns out, there are a few reasons why your dog might be chewing on their bed.
Boredom or Anxiety
One of the most common reasons dogs chew on their beds is boredom. So if your dog doesn’t have anything else to do, they might start chewing on their bed as a way to pass the time.
Similarly, some dogs chew on their beds out of anxiety or stress. So if your dog is anxious or stressed, they may start chewing as a way to cope with those feelings.
If you think that boredom or anxiety might be the reason why your dog is chewing on their bed, try giving them more toys to play with or taking them for more walks. You might also want to consider getting them a doggie daycare so they can socialize and stay active while you’re away.
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Teething
If your dog is a puppy, they may be chewing on their bed because they’re teething. When puppies are teething, their gums can be sore and inflamed, so they might start chewing on anything they can get their teeth on—including their bed.
If your puppy is teething, you can try giving them frozen toys or pet-safe chew sticks to help with the pain. You might also want to put a dog-proof cover on their bed so they can’t chew it up.
Enjoys the Fabric Texture or Taste
Some dogs like to chew on certain types of fabrics because they find them pleasurable to chew on. If your dog prefers chewing on their bed over other things, this could be why.
Hunger
If your dog is chewing on their bed because they’re hungry, it’s likely that they’re not getting enough food during the day. Try increasing their food intake and see if that helps to stop the chewing behavior.
You should also make sure that they have access to fresh water at all times. If they’re thirsty, they might start chewing on their bed in search of water.
Underlying Health Issue
In some cases, a dog may start chewing on their bed because of an underlying health issue. If your dog suddenly starts chewing on their bed and they’ve never done it before, it’s worth taking them to the vet to rule out any potential health problems.
For example, if your dog has started chewing on their bed because they’re in pain, there could be an underlying health issue causing the pain. In this case, the vet will be able to diagnose and treat the problem so your dog can feel better.
How To Stop Your Dog From Chewing Their Bed
Once you figure out why your dog is chewing their bed, you can start to take steps to prevent it from happening.
Monitor Your Dog’s Chewing Behavior
Learn when and what they’re chewing. This will help you to figure out the reason behind the behavior. For example, if they only chew on their bed when you are away from home, they are likely doing it out of boredom or anxiety.
However, if they chew on their bed regardless of whether you are home or not, it could be because they enjoy the taste or texture of the fabric. So pay close attention to your dog’s chewing behavior and take note of any patterns that you see.
Give Your Dog Plenty of Exercise
If your dog is bored or anxious, one of the best things you can do is to give them plenty of exercise. This will help to burn off all that excess energy and hopefully prevent them from chewing on their bed.
Take them for long walks, runs, or hikes. If you can’t do this yourself, consider hiring a dog walker or taking them to doggy daycare. The more exercise they get, the less likely they are to chew on their bed.
Provide Plenty of Toys and Chews
Give your dog plenty of toys and chews to keep them entertained. This will help prevent boredom and give them something else to focus on.
There are all sorts of different toys that you can get for your dog, so choose ones that you know they’ll enjoy. For example, if they like to chew, opt for a toy specifically designed for chewing.
Praise them when they chew on their toy and not their bed. This will help to reinforce the behavior that you want to see.
Buy a Chew-Proof Dog Bed
If your dog is chewing on their bed because they enjoy the taste or texture of the fabric, you might want to invest in a chew-proof dog bed. These beds are made out of materials that are not as appealing to dogs, so they’re less likely to chew on them.
Chew-proof dog beds can be more expensive than regular dog beds, but they may be worth the investment if it means that your dog will stop chewing on their bed.
>> Recommended: Best Dog Beds for Chewers
Use a Bitter Spray
Using a bitter spray can also deter your dog from chewing on its bed. This is a type of spray that has a bitter taste, which will discourage your dog from chewing on the sprayed surface.
Bitter sprays, such as Grannicks Bitter Apple Taste Deterrent for Dogs, are safe to use on dog beds and can be easily found in pet stores or online. Just spray the bed with the bitter spray and let it dry. Your dog should start to avoid chewing on the sprayed areas.
The Bottom Line
There are a few different reasons why your dog might be chewing on their new dog bed, but the good news is that there are also a few different things you can do about it.
If your dog is bored or stressed, try giving them more toys and attention; if they’re curious about the bed, let them sniff it out; and if you think there might be an underlying health issue, take them to the vet right away.
With a little trial and error (and maybe some extra toys), you should be able to figure out what’s causing the problem and put a stop to the destructive chewing behavior for good!