Puppy Teething
Puppies go through a teething phase. Puppies don’t get their adult teeth until they are about six months old. As their puppy teeth are falling out and their adult teeth are coming in, their mouths can be very painful and uncomfortable. Puppies will often put anything in their mouth that they can get ahold of so that they can chew it to help relieve some of the pain.
Owner’s Scent
Dogs explore the world primarily with their nose. They have a highly developed olfactory system, and they can smell many things that humans can’t.
Humans have sweat glands which produce pheromones that dogs can smell on their clothing items, like underwear. If your underwear is within easy reach, it makes sense that your dog is going to grab it! Your scent is a very familiar and comforting scent to your dog. As disturbing as it may be to us humans, our dogs actually love the way we smell and taste.
Boredom
Does your dog spend a lot of time at home alone? Dogs get bored easily. When dogs lack mental enrichment and physical exercise, they often engage in destructive behaviours. These behaviours could be chewing on things they shouldn’t, like your underwear. You can easily increase their enrichment by providing mentally enriching toys, like puzzle toys.
Pica
When dogs frequently try to eat things that are not edible or have no nutritional value, this is referred to as a medical condition called pica. Dogs with pica eat a variety of objects, ranging from underwear to rocks to paper. This is a serious condition that usually stems from other underlying medical conditions or compulsive disorders, such as:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Extreme boredom
- Anxiety
- Teething
- Early weaning
- Compulsive disorder
Pica could be life-threatening when dogs consume objects they shouldn’t be. If your dog is actually consuming underwear or eating things he shouldn’t and is exhibiting any of these other underlying conditions, please contact your veterinarian.
Dental Discomfort
While adult dogs have all of their adult teeth and aren’t teething, they can have underlying dental problems. Sometimes they will chew on things, similarly to teething puppies, to help alleviate the pain.
The Risk of Dogs Chewing Underwear
Dogs get into all sorts of weird things, but a dog chewing and swallowing something like underwear or socks is very different from materials like toilet paper. If a dog swallows underwear, there is a risk that the underwear could cause a gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction.
In very large dogs, it’s possible that the underwear could come out in one of their bowel movements, but there’s no guarantee. Smaller dogs are less likely to be able to pass underwear or similarly sized objects on their own.
The problem is when the underwear, or foreign body, makes its way to the small intestines and causes a blockage. If the underwear is causing a blockage so nothing else in the gastrointestinal system can pass, this can quickly become a life-threatening scenario. Symptoms can occur in as little as a couple of days up to a couple of weeks after swallowing the underwear.
Internal blockages have several symptoms, such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
If you’re missing a pair of underwear and your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, you contact your veterinarian immediately.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Chewing Underwear
Management Strategies
It should go without saying that the easiest way to prevent your dog from chewing your underwear is by using simple management strategies. The easiest method is to simply keep your clothes out of reach from your dog. Keep dirty clothes in a hamper. The hamper should either have a lid or be kept in a closed closet where your dog can’t get into it.
Increase Activity to Prevent Boredom
If your doing is just going after your underwear because he’s bored, increasing his activity or providing mentally enriching toys like puzzle toys may help. Providing your dog with other enriching activities like walks, scent games, or obedience training will also help.
Train a “Drop It” Cue
Training a “drop it” cue is helpful for many scenarios with your dog. When you see your dog grab your underwear, you can ask your dog to “drop it.” This will prevent them from swallowing it. It will also prevent the game of chase, which can actually be rewarding for dogs.
If you notice your dog going for your underwear, you don’t want to yell or scold them. In many cases, that will actually make your dog run and maybe even hide. This can have the opposite effect than what you were wanting. This may also increase the chances that your dog may steal your underwear and immediately hide next time. It’s important to utilize management strategies and train an effective “drop it” cue.
Summary
Dogs have a natural urge to chew, but chewing on underwear can be a frustrating behaviour for pet owners. There are several reasons why dogs chew underwear, including teething, boredom, anxiety, and the smell and taste of the fabric.
To prevent this behaviour, it’s important to provide dogs with appropriate chew toys and plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Additionally, keeping laundry baskets out of reach and supervising dogs during times when they are most likely to chew can also help.
By understanding the reasons behind this behaviour and taking proactive steps to prevent it, pet owners can protect their belongings and help keep their furry friends happy and healthy.
