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Destructive chewing in dogs: everything you need to know

By Charlotte Francesca Stiles, DVM

We pet parents usually love many of the behaviours our four-legged friends exhibit every day, from tail wagging to playing with their toys. However sadly sometimes, our pets show behaviours that can be unwanted or worrying.

Chewing can be a normal part of a dog’s behaviour, however, when it becomes destructive, it can cause problems for pet parents. So in this article to help get to the bottom of the problem, we’ll answer the following questions:

Disclaimer: Please refer to the information in this article as a guide only. If you are worried about your pet’s behaviour for any reason, it’s best to consult your veterinarian or a registered veterinary behaviourist and rule out any medical problems.

What is destructive chewing behavior in dogs?

The term ‘destructive chewing’ can be used when referring to dogs chewing on things in unusual circumstances which is usually thought of as unwanted or not being positive.

In some cases, chewing behaviour in dogs is normal. For example, when they are a puppy and chew to help manage the teething process. Additionally, a dog who chews their toys from time to time for enrichment is not a cause for concern.

However, when chewing behaviour in dogs becomes over the top, it can be a problem, for both the animal and the pet parent. In the next section, we’ll explain some of the reasons a dog may destructively chew.

Dog playing with chew toy

What are the possible causes of destructive chewing in dogs?

Now we understand what destructive chewing in dogs is, let’s look at some of the things that can cause it.

Bored

If your dog is bored, their search for enrichment may encourage them to start chewing. A dog who does not have enough toys to entertain them or activities to occupy them may start destructively chewing.

Dogs should have a variety of different toys to play with and keep them busy.

Stressed

If you notice that your dog starts to chew only under specific circumstances (for example when you leave, or take them to the vet), it could be that they are doing it from stress, or from conditions such as separation anxiety.

If this is the case, you’ll likely only notice them chewing when the event or activity they find stressful occurs.

Scared

Have you ever heard of a dog chewing items in a pet parent’s house during fireworks? This is an example of destructive chewing caused by fear (it can also be combined with stress).

Don’t forget that our dogs have different ways of showing their emotions compared to our pet parents. So don’t get frustrated and instead, focus on helping them feel better.

Enjoyment

If you’ve ruled out the possibility of your dog being bored, stressed, or scared, frustratingly (for us, not for them), it could just be that they just really love chewing.

If your dog especially loves to chew your personal belongings (such as clothes or shoes), this is particularly frustrating, but don’t worry, in the next section, we’ll explain some things you can do to help them.

Dog playing with chew toy

How can I get my dog to stop destructive chewing?

Destructive chewing, no matter what the reason behind it, can be worrying and frustrating for pet parents. There are different approaches to tackling the behavior which vary depending on the reason behind it.

We’ve listed some things you can do to stop your dog from destructive chewing below:

With our Lifetime Protection Membership, you can access veterinary professionals anytime by phone, email, or live chat. So if your pet starts displaying a behavior or problem you’re worried about, you can quickly get the help you need.

Conclusion

It’s pretty stressful when your pet displays behaviour such as destructive chewing, however, we hope after reading this article, that you have the information you need to help your pet feel better and get to the bottom of the problem.