Nov
Blog
Why Dogs Chew Their Beds and How To Stop Them
Chewing is a natural behaviour of dogs of all ages. However, some dogs excessively chew things to the point that they destroy them, leaving a massive mess for you to clean up. Just imagine leaving your dog at home and coming back only to see your shoes, furniture, or papers ruined and all over the place.
However, the primary target of “problem” chewers is their dog bed, which you worked so hard to buy. Of course, excessive chewing is a behaviour that you should not encourage, mainly because you bought that bed to give them a comfortable space to sleep in. Besides, your dog might accidentally ingest pieces of bedding, which can be detrimental to their health.
There are several reasons why dogs love to chew their beds. This includes anxiety, boredom, and even hunger. If you are currently suffering from your dog’s destructive chewing, we’ll help you by digging deeper into the causes and providing tips or strategies you can try.
3 Reasons Why Dogs Chew Their Beds
1. Anxiety
Does your dog love to chew their bed whenever you leave them home alone? In that case, your dog might be suffering from separation anxiety, or something around their environment might be causing them to feel anxious or uncomfortable. Dogs chew their beds and the things around them to console the stress they are feeling.
2. Boredom
Aside from separation anxiety, dogs also get bored when they’re alone. Remember that some dogs require stimulation for both their minds and bodies, so leaving them all by themselves for a couple of hours without anything to get themselves entertained with can come with a consequence – a chewed dog bed.
3. Hunger
In some cases, hunger is one of the reasons why most dogs chew their beds. Usually, they do this to alleviate their hunger. However, this often happens to dogs on calorie-restricted diets, but it doesn’t mean that this type of diet is bad for them. Still, it would be best to consult your vet and be aware of chewing behaviour changes when putting your dog on a calorie-restricted diet.
How To Stop Dogs From Chewing Their Beds
1. Exercise
Tire your dog. It is important to walk your dog regularly, encourage them to exercise between 30 minutes to 2 hours a day, and help them be active. This will not only keep them healthier but also help them release that extra energy. However, be aware that smaller breeds don’t require that much physical activity than larger breed dogs.
2. Toys
As mentioned, boredom is one of the common reasons why dogs love to chew their beds. So, what is a better way to stop them than giving them chew toys and interactive toys? Chew toys can keep them occupied while you are away, which means there will be lesser barking and lesser dog bed destruction.
Additionally, interactive toys are also a great way to keep them mentally stimulated. You can stuff their interactive toy with treats or their favourite food, and they can work their way to get their reward.
3. Deterrent sprays
As much as dogs are attracted to certain scents, there are also scents that they want to stay away from. Dogs have a more advanced sense of smell than humans, and they dislike spicy or bitter flavours. So you can most certainly make use of deterrent sprays or anti-chew sprays to keep them from chewing anything you don’t want them to chew.
4. Chew-proof beds
The best solution to stop your dog from chewing and destroying their bed is by getting them a chew-proof or chew-resistant dog bed. However, it would be best if you consider both comfort and durability. Not only that, but you should opt for a dog bed that perfectly fits the size of your pup while considering their physical health conditions.
Our dog beds are filled with higher density and super comfy ultra-bead filling. Its benefits include cosiness and support, and it is also anti-bacterial and does not absorb moisture. This makes our dog beds more hygienic for your dog and firm enough to support extra weight and aching joints.
Make your pup extra comfortable by giving them one of Australia’s best chew-resistant dog beds.
