Reasons Why Dogs Nibble on Blankets
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Dogs naturally engage in nibbling, biting, and nipping behaviour. If you’ve ever watched a litter of puppies play together, you know that they bite and nibble at each other. If they bite down too hard, the other puppy yelps to tell them it hurts. It’s not all fun and games; this play behaviour also teaches young pups the concept of bite inhibition.
Many dogs outgrow their nibbling behaviour, but others chew throughout adulthood. Large-sized dogs are more prone to chewing than small dogs and dogs who were bred to hunt prey.
Any dog who chews can develop a habit. It’s a self-rewarding behaviour. Once your dog learns that it’s fun to nibble on blankets, they will keep doing it.
In many cases, nibbling on blankets is a soothing and calming activity that helps dogs to settle. Many owners choose to harness this activity to teach dogs to appreciate calmness. It’s particularly useful for high-energy breeds like Border Collies and German Shepherds have difficulty finding their “off switch.”
Hunger
Believe it or not, dogs sometimes chew on non-food items because they lack calories or certain nutrients in their diet. Even if your dog is eating well, it may be what they are eating that’s the problem. If your dog’s nutritional needs aren’t met, their natural instincts tell them to seek nutrition elsewhere.
Symptoms of nutritional deficits include hair loss, declining energy levels, and changes in faeces. Your dog’s caloric requirements must be met to maintain adequate health. If you notice that your dog is less interested in activities than before, it’s possible that there aren’t enough calories in their diet.
Boredom
Dogs who are left alone for long periods tend to get bored. Many undesirable behaviours originate from boredom. These behaviours range from chewing on household objects to outright destruction.
If your dog is nibbling on blankets out of boredom, make sure your dog is getting adequate amounts of exercise, playtime, and attention. If you are away from home for most of the day, it may be good to have someone take your dog for a midday walk. If this isn’t possible, make sure to burn off your dog’s pent-up energy when you get home.
While dogs love routine, they also love to explore new things. Sometimes mixing up your dog’s daily routine can take the edge off of boredom. This can be as simple as a new walking route, going swimming, or trying a new dog park.
If your dog has trouble discerning what objects are acceptable for chewing, it’s your job to teach them. Ensuring there is a good selection of chews and toys is a good start. If you want to keep certain household items off-limits, you can try using chew deterrent sprays, like bitter apple, to prevent your dog from chewing on them.
Anxiety
While some dogs are more prone to developing anxiety than others, none are totally immune from experiencing it. Dogs can be stressed by large events like moving or the addition of a new family member. Some have anxiety around loud noises, like thunder, or even from being home alone.
Nibbling on blankets may be how your dog chooses to relieve stress. Much like a pacifier, blanket, or stuffed animal that a toddler uses for comfort, your dog finds blanket nibbling comforting. They learn that the behaviour makes them feel better, so they resort to it anytime they are feeling anxious.
Pain
Puppies often suck or nibble on objects to numb the pain of teething. The good news is that this is a temporary behaviour that disappears once the pain stops. You can help ease teething pain by offering your puppy a frozen toy or washcloth to chew on.
If your dog is nibbling blankets to relieve pain, you can resolve the behaviour by finding and dealing with the pain source.
Premature Weaning
Being removed from their mother prematurely can cause dogs to suck or nibble blankets. Puppies should remain with their mother until they are eight weeks old, but this doesn’t always happen. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control often require pups to be weaned early.
Blanket nibbling is just one of many behaviours that can develop in prematurely weaned puppies. Luckily, most can be fixed with a little extra training effort on your part. You just have to teach your pup all the things his mother wasn’t able to.
Blankets are a frequent target for puppies to satisfy their suckling instinct. Once mom is gone, they use soft objects to replace her.
When Nibbling On Blankets Can Become A Problem
While nibbling on blankets and other soft items may seem like a harmless behaviour for dogs, it can become a problem when it becomes excessive or destructive. Here are some situations where nibbling on blankets can become a problem.
Digestive Issues
Dogs can accidentally ingest pieces of blanket or fabric while chewing, which can cause digestive problems such as blockages and perforations in the intestines. These can be serious and even life-threatening, so it’s important to monitor your dog’s chewing behaviour and take steps to prevent them from swallowing pieces of blanket or fabric.
Destructive Chewing
Some dogs may become destructive chewers and may chew on blankets and other items, causing damage to the items and potentially creating a hazard in the home. This can be a frustrating behaviour for pet owners and can lead to increased stress and anxiety.
Anxiety and Stress
Some dogs may nibble on blankets as a coping mechanism for anxiety and stress. This can be due to separation anxiety, boredom, or other underlying issues. It’s important to identify the cause of the anxiety and take steps to address it, such as providing more exercise, mental stimulation, and positive reinforcement.
How to Stop Dogs From Nibbling on Blankets
If your dog’s nibbling on blankets is becoming a problem, there are several steps you can take to stop the behaviour. Here are some tips to help you stop your dog from nibbling on blankets:
Provide Appropriate Chewing Alternatives
Offer your dog appropriate toys and chews to redirect their chewing behaviour. Make sure to choose toys that are safe and durable to withstand your dog’s chewing.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
If your dog’s nibbling on blankets is related to stress or anxiety, it’s important to address the underlying cause of the behaviour. You can do this by providing a comfortable and secure environment, giving your dog plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and practising positive reinforcement techniques.
Remove Temptations: If your dog has a particular blanket or soft item that they like to nibble on, it’s best to remove it from their environment to prevent them from having access to it.
Supervise Your Dog
Make sure to supervise your dog while they’re chewing on toys or blankets to prevent them from swallowing pieces of fabric.
Stopping a dog from nibbling on blankets requires a combination of providing appropriate chewing alternatives, reducing stress and anxiety, removing temptations, and supervising your dog.
By implementing these strategies, you can help your dog overcome this behaviour and prevent any potential health problems. If you’re unsure about how to stop your dog from nibbling on blankets, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian for guidance.
Summary
There are a variety of reasons dogs nibble on blankets. It’s most often a comforting behaviour used to relieve anxiety, boredom or to satisfy their natural instincts. Dogs can also nibble on blankets to relieve pain or as a replacement for suckling when prematurely weaned. Now that you know what causes the behaviour, you can determine whether you need to take measures to stop it.
