Have you ever asked yourself the question that goes, “Why does my dog chew on the towel?” There are a few different reasons why dogs engage in this behavior: teething, for example, and boredom. Now let me explain why towels are so beloved to your pet.
Possible Reasons for Towel Chewing
1. Teething in Puppies: Not unlike babies, puppies are not very comfortable when their teeth start growing into baby teeth. At the age of teething they bite anything with their little mouths and a soft towel might helpful for them. It’s like a baby holding a teething ring either comforter is what keeps them going.
If you have a small dog, chewing is completely normal- or at least, if it’s a puppy, it will grow out of it soon enough (can we get a ‘phew’ here?) and providing only acceptable items to chew on is a good way to save the socks and jumpers.
2. Exploring Their Environment: The mouth is among the most versatile limbs in the dog’s body; indeed, they use their mouths in a way we use our hands. They get to travel around and taste and smell whatever they can find.
A towel, with its interesting texture and smell, can be an enticing thing to chew on. For your dog, chewing on that towel is a way of discovering what this weird object is all about.
3. Comfort and Security: Dogs also get to chew on something if they have nothing to keep them busy, and that is when they get bored. Perhaps, it may help to understand why your dog chews on the towel when they are left alone for long.
4. Boredom or Excess Energy: If your puppy is not being able to run around or solve puzzles, they will need to chew in order to release that energy. Towels are conveniently accessible because they are often lying around and they are basically just there begging to be chewed on!
It is important to give your dog a balanced amount of playtime and mental stimulation, so that he or she won’t be able to ruin the towel.
5. Anxiety or Stress: About this, it is important to note that dog also have anxiety like human beings. They can suffer from things like separation anxiety, and chewing is one way for the dog to calm himself when over stimulated.
Your towel is most likely smelly like you, and my dear, your little one may find comfort in chewing on it when feeling anxious. If the dog go for the towels that simply means the dog is probably suffering from anxiety especially when you are out of sight.
6. Attention-Seeking Behavior: Occasionally your dog only seeks the company and they know that chewing on the towel will make you react. Dogs are really smart like that! It also helps you know when your dog is lonely or just wants to be pampered; they may pick up a towel, and start to bite it because they know you will stop them.
7. Health Issues: Towel chewing in some cases may be as a result of an existing medical condition. Dogs with dental issues may chew to ease their discomfort or or they may be experiencing symptoms related to a stomach disease.
It is wise to visit your veterinarian when chewing escalates out of control in order to rule out any medical issues.
A Quick Guide
| Reason | Description |
| Teething in Puppies | Puppies chew to soothe discomfort from growing teeth. |
| Exploring Their Environment | Dogs use their mouths to explore, making towels an easy target. |
| Comfort and Security | The soft texture and familiar smell of towels provide comfort to dogs. |
| Boredom or Excess Energy | A lack of physical or mental stimulation can lead to destructive chewing. |
| Anxiety or Stress | Chewing helps dogs cope with stress or separation anxiety. |
| Attention-Seeking Behavior | Dogs may chew on towels to get your attention if they feel neglected. |
| Health Issues | Dental pain or digestive problems might drive your dog to chew on items like towels. |
How to Manage and Redirect the Behavior
Now it’s time to address the “why,” and talk about what you can do to prevent your towels from being the next chew toy.
1. Provide Chew Toys: The simplest way to prevent your dog from chewing on towels? Some people give them something better to chew on! Spend on various types of chew toys that are durable and safe for the dog. They also choose toys and objects that will give the dog a proper outlet to chew when necessary.
My dogs have their favorite toys, and once they had those, the towels were safe again!
2. Increase Physical Activity and Mental Stimulation: If your dog chews for this particular reason he or she needs a lot of exercises or more challenging tasks. Spend extra time on them, walk them, let them play or give them some challenging toys and games to keep their brain busy. Any dog owner will tell you that: A tired dog is a happy dog (and one that doesn’t chew towels!).
3. Monitor Their Anxiety Levels: If you think anxiety is causing the chewing, try to find out what could be causing stress to your dog. Is it when you go out of your house? Is there a loud noise that’s frightening them?
Once the cause is identified it is easier to assist your dog to manage the problem. For separation anxiety, try leaving them with something that smells like you (maybe an old T-shirt you don’t mind losing to chewing!).
4. Train and Set Boundaries: Practice makes perfect! While the process may require quite some time, it proves very beneficial to train your dog on which objects should be chewed and which should not.
Rewarding your dog with food and lots of praise is a great approach to discourage them from chewing on your towel.
5. Vet Check-Up: If the chewing behavior of your dog is somehow out of the normal or if it is growing in intensity, it’s wise to take the dog for a veterinary check.
Sometimes, underlying health issues can lead to compulsive chewing, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
FAQs on Dog Chewing Behavior
Have you got questions about why your dog chews on the towel? To start with, let us discuss the most frequently posed questions!
1. Why is it harmful for my dog to chew towels?
Although occasional chewing might not adversely affect the baby, there are dangers of the baby swallowing some of the towel material which could cause digestive upsets or blockages. You must always supervise your dog and try not to let them feed on fabric.
2. How can I stop my dog from chewing on my towels?
Provide alternative chew toys, increase physical and mental activities, and use positive reinforcement to train them. You can also try keeping towels out of reach!
3. Could my dog’s chewing be an indication of stress?
Yes, anxiety especially separation anxiety will cause your pet to chew things.
References:
- The Spruce Pets – How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing
- ASPCA – Dog Behavior: Destructive Chewing
- AKC – How to Stop a Dog From Chewing on Things
Dogs are inclined to chew on things and while towels are no exception, it may become really irritating! When you have one of your dogs acting up, it’s possible they are teething or bored or just anxious or simply out exploring; first of all, you have to know the cause of the action. Just provide them with the options, activity, and care that they need. In this way, both you and your dog will stay happy, and your towels will remain intact.
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