by Adopt a Pet, | January 8, 2024
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Carolyn Lagattuta / Stocksy
If your normally well-behaved dog is suddenly chewing everything, it is likely because they are bored, stressed out, or anxious. If there has been a recent change in the dog’s environment or routine, that could also trigger the sudden chewing. You can try a few things to curb the behavior, but if they don’t work, you’ll want to enlist the help of your vet or an animal behaviorist.
In this article:
Tips to stop destructive chewing
You come from work to find yet another dog bed has been shredded, your favorite pair of shoes has been destroyed, or the sofa you saved up for is now down a cushion. Your dog’s sudden chewing is frustrating for sure, but it can also be dangerous as they could swallow materials that may cause an intestinal blockage or other issues.
Here are some things you can try to stop the chewing behavior:
Buy new toys
Provide appropriate chew toys for your pet and redirect them to those toys any time you catch them chewing. Toss toys once they are damaged and refresh the stash with new toys regularly to keep your dog interested.
Doggy daycare
If your dog is chewing everything when you’re away, they could be bored or lonely. Consider sending them to doggy daycare, especially if you work long hours. If that’s not possible, hiring a dog walker is another way to break up your dog’s day.
Read this related article on Kinship
How to Stop Your From Dog Destructive Chewing
Here are some tips that might work to stop your dog from chewing holes in your stuff.
Treat for separation anxiety
Anxiety is a very common cause of destructive chewing—and it will not get better on its own. Treatments will vary based on the severity of the anxiety, but the first step is to talk with your vet or an animal behaviorist to work out a treatment plan.
Preventative measures
It is also important to keep items your dog may chew out of your dog’s reach. When you are not around to supervise them, keep your pup in a chew-safe area.
Talk to your vet
If your dog is chewing everything, don’t just ignore the problem. If simple DIY fixes, such as buying new toys, don’t help, talk to your vet. There could be a medical reason for their sudden chewing. It might take some trial and error, but with a little patience, you’ll be able to correct this behavior and help your dog become happy and healthy.
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