Dogs and chewing go together like peanut butter and jelly, it’s simply part of canine nature. Yet many pet owners find themselves wondering if their furry friend’s chomping habits have crossed the line from normal behavior into problematic territory.
Whether you’ve just discovered your favorite shoes have become your puppy’s latest chew toy or your adult dog has suddenly developed an appetite for furniture, understanding the difference between normal and excessive chewing is crucial for both your sanity and your dog’s wellbeing.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the natural reasons behind your dog’s chewing behavior, help you identify when it’s becoming problematic, and provide effective strategies to manage and redirect this instinctual activity.
By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to foster healthy chewing habits while preserving your household items and your dog’s dental health.
Understanding Normal Chewing Behavior in Dogs
The Biological Need for Chewing
Chewing is a perfectly natural and necessary behavior for dogs of all ages. This instinctual activity is deeply rooted in canine biology and serves multiple important functions. Wild and domestic dogs alike spend significant time chewing on bones, sticks, and other objects as part of their normal behavioral repertoire.
From an evolutionary perspective, dogs’ ancestors spent considerable time gnawing on bones and other tough materials. This behavior helped them extract every bit of nutrition from their food while also maintaining their dental health. Modern dogs have inherited this instinct, which explains why your pet may be so determined to find something – anything – to chew on.
Dogs use chewing as a way to explore their environment, much like humans might use touch or sight. For puppies especially, and dogs in new environments, chewing helps them gather information about unfamiliar objects and surroundings. It’s their way of saying, “Let me get to know this thing by putting it in my mouth.”
How Chewing Benefits Your Dog’s Health
Beyond satisfying a natural urge, chewing provides numerous health benefits for your canine companion. Regular chewing helps keep your dog’s jaws strong and their teeth clean. The mechanical action of gnawing on appropriate items can help remove plaque and tartar buildup, potentially reducing the risk of dental disease.
Research has shown that even short periods of chewing can help normalize the oral microbiome, ultimately reducing dental disease. When dogs chew on appropriate items, it can increase the presence of beneficial bacteria while reducing harmful bacteria in their mouths.
Chewing also serves as an important stress-relief mechanism for many dogs. The rhythmic action of chewing can have a calming effect, helping to reduce anxiety and frustration. This is why you might notice your dog seeking something to chew during times of stress or when they need to self-soothe.
Typical Chewing Patterns by Age
Chewing behaviors typically evolve throughout a dog’s life, with different stages characterized by different chewing patterns and motivations:
Puppies (up to 6 months): Puppies explore the world through their mouths and experience teething discomfort, making them champion chewers. During teething, which typically occurs between 3-6 months of age, puppies may chew more intensely to relieve gum pain as their adult teeth emerge. This is completely normal, though it requires careful management.
Adolescent Dogs (6 months to 2 years): Contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t simply outgrow chewing once they’ve finished teething. Adolescent dogs often continue to chew enthusiastically, though the motivation shifts from teething relief to exploration, boredom relief, and energy release.
Adult Dogs (2+ years): Mature dogs generally chew less frequently than puppies, but they still maintain a healthy interest in chewing throughout their lives. Adult dogs typically chew to maintain dental health, relieve stress, or simply because they enjoy it. The intensity and frequency should decrease compared to puppyhood, but some level of chewing remains normal.
Senior Dogs (7+ years): Older dogs may experience dental issues that either increase or decrease their chewing habits. Some seniors chew more to relieve dental discomfort, while others may chew less if they have painful teeth or gums. Any sudden change in chewing behavior in senior dogs warrants veterinary attention.
Signs Your Dog’s Chewing Has Become Problematic
Frequency and Intensity Concerns
While chewing is normal, there are clear indicators that your dog’s chewing behavior has crossed into problematic territory. One key sign is when the frequency or intensity of chewing becomes excessive. If your dog seems unable to stop chewing, even briefly, during waking hours, this could indicate an underlying issue.
Watch for these warning signs of excessive chewing:
- Your dog wakes from sleep specifically to chew
- Chewing interrupts other normal activities like playing or eating
- Your dog appears distressed if prevented from chewing
- The intensity of chewing causes visible wear on your dog’s teeth
- Chewing continues despite mouth pain or bleeding gums
Dogs with healthy chewing habits can typically be redirected to appropriate items and will take breaks naturally. If your dog seems obsessed with chewing to the exclusion of other activities, it’s time to investigate further.
Destructive Chewing Behaviors
Destructive chewing is perhaps the most obvious sign that your dog’s behavior has become problematic. While occasional accidents happen (especially with puppies), consistent destruction of household items indicates a need for intervention.
Particularly concerning destructive behaviors include:
- Targeting the same types of items repeatedly despite corrections
- Chewing on potentially dangerous items (electrical cords, toxic plants)
- Destroying items with your scent (shoes, clothing) when left alone
- Chewing on structural elements of your home (baseboards, door frames, furniture)
- Ingesting non-food items (fabric, plastic, wood) rather than just chewing them
Destructive chewing often has underlying causes beyond simple misbehavior. Dogs may target household items due to separation anxiety, insufficient exercise, or lack of appropriate chewing alternatives.
Health-Related Warning Signs
Sometimes, excessive chewing can indicate underlying health issues. Pay close attention if your dog’s chewing is accompanied by these warning signs:
- Pawing at the face or mouth while chewing
- Drooling more than usual
- Bad breath or discolored teeth
- Dropping food while eating
- Bleeding gums or visible discomfort
- Sudden increase in chewing behavior in an adult dog
These symptoms could suggest dental problems, oral injuries, or other medical conditions requiring veterinary attention. If your dog has a “hot spot” – a red, wet, irritated area that develops from persistent chewing or licking – this is a clear sign of a problem that needs addressing.
Common Causes of Excessive Chewing
Physical Causes
Teething Discomfort
Puppies go through an uncomfortable teething period just like human babies. During this time, chewing helps alleviate the discomfort as adult teeth push through the gums. Puppies typically begin teething around 3 months of age, with the process continuing until about 6-7 months when all adult teeth have emerged.
Signs your puppy is teething include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Small amounts of blood on toys
- Increased drooling
- Reluctance to eat hard food
- Visible gaps where baby teeth have fallen out
While teething-related chewing is normal, it still requires management to prevent destructive habits from forming. Providing appropriate teething toys, especially those that can be frozen to numb sore gums, can help redirect this natural behavior.
Dental and Oral Pain
For adult dogs, dental problems are a common physical cause of excessive chewing. Dogs suffering from tooth pain, gum disease, oral injuries, or foreign objects lodged in the mouth may chew more frequently in an attempt to relieve discomfort.
If your dog has begun chewing again after a period of normal behavior, it’s worth checking their teeth and gums for signs of problems. Look for:
- Inflamed, red gums
- Tartar buildup on teeth
- Loose or broken teeth
- Lumps or growths in the mouth
- Reluctance to have the mouth touched
Any of these symptoms warrants a veterinary examination, as dental problems can cause significant pain and lead to more serious health issues if left untreated.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Sometimes, excessive chewing can be related to nutritional deficiencies or hunger. Dogs on calorie-restricted diets may chew more frequently on non-food items in an attempt to find additional nutrition. This behavior is often directed toward objects that smell like food or have been in contact with food, such as plastic bowls or containers.
Specific nutrient deficiencies, such as lack of calcium or other minerals, might also drive increased chewing as the dog instinctively seeks to address the imbalance. If you suspect nutrition might be contributing to your dog’s chewing behavior, consult with your veterinarian about appropriate dietary adjustments.
Psychological Causes
Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
One of the most common reasons for problematic chewing is simply boredom. Dogs are intelligent, active animals that need mental and physical stimulation. Without adequate exercise and enrichment, they often turn to chewing as a way to entertain themselves and relieve the monotony.
Signs that boredom might be driving your dog’s chewing include:
- Chewing primarily occurs when alone or inactive
- Behavior improves after exercise or play
- Multiple household items are targeted rather than specific ones
- Chewing is worse on days with less activity
Dogs need both physical exercise and mental stimulation to stay balanced. A tired dog is generally a well-behaved dog, so ensuring your pet receives appropriate daily exercise can significantly reduce problem chewing behaviors.
Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety is another major contributor to excessive chewing. Dogs may use chewing as a coping mechanism for stress, similar to how humans might bite their nails when anxious. Separation anxiety, in particular, often manifests as destructive chewing when the dog is left alone.
Anxiety-related chewing typically has these characteristics:
- Occurs primarily during specific stressful situations (thunderstorms, owner’s absence)
- Often targets items with the owner’s scent
- May be accompanied by other anxiety symptoms (pacing, whining, house soiling)
- Tends to be more frantic or intense than normal chewing
Addressing the underlying anxiety is essential for resolving this type of problematic chewing. Depending on the severity, this might involve behavior modification techniques, environmental changes, or in some cases, veterinary-prescribed anti-anxiety medications.
Attention-Seeking Behavior
Some dogs learn that chewing on forbidden items reliably gets their owner’s attention. Even negative attention (scolding) can reinforce the behavior if the dog is primarily seeking interaction. This type of chewing is characterized by:
- Occurring primarily when the owner is present but not engaging with the dog
- Stopping when the dog receives attention
- Targeting items the dog has previously been scolded for chewing
- Making eye contact with the owner while chewing inappropriate items
Addressing attention-seeking chewing requires consistent positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior and careful management to prevent the dog from practicing the unwanted behavior.
Breed-Specific Chewing Tendencies
High-Energy Breeds
Certain dog breeds are more prone to excessive chewing, particularly those bred for high energy and activity levels. Terriers, herding breeds, and sporting dogs often have stronger chewing drives and may require more management and appropriate outlets for this behavior.
Breeds that commonly show higher chewing tendencies include:
- Border Collies and Australian Shepherds
- Jack Russell Terriers and other terrier breeds
- Labrador and Golden Retrievers
- Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds
- Siberian Huskies
These breeds typically need more exercise and mental stimulation than average to prevent problematic chewing. Providing breed-appropriate activities and sufficient exercise is crucial for managing their natural tendencies.
Working and Hunting Dogs
Dogs bred for specific working or hunting purposes often have stronger instincts to use their mouths. Retrievers were specifically bred to carry game in their mouths, while herding breeds may nip and chew as part of their instinctual behavior patterns.
These breed-specific tendencies don’t mean problematic chewing is inevitable, but they do suggest that owners should be proactive in providing appropriate outlets for these natural behaviors. Working breeds often benefit from activities that simulate their traditional jobs, such as fetch games for retrievers or herding balls for border collies.
How to Manage Normal Chewing Behavior
Providing Appropriate Chew Toys
The foundation of managing normal chewing behavior is providing a variety of appropriate items for your dog to chew. Different dogs have different preferences, so offering a selection helps you discover what your pet enjoys most.
Effective chew toys generally fall into these categories:
- Rubber toys: Durable options like Kong toys can be stuffed with food for added interest
- Edible chews: Items like bully sticks, cow ears, or veggie chews provide long-lasting chewing opportunities
- Dental chews: Specially designed to help clean teeth while satisfying chewing urges
- Rope toys: Good for interactive play and gentle chewing (though should be supervised to prevent ingestion)
- Puzzle toys: Mental stimulation combined with chewing opportunities
When selecting chew toys, always consider your dog’s size, age, and chewing strength. What works for a gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may be destroyed in minutes by a determined Pit Bull. Always supervise your dog with new chew items to ensure they’re using them safely.
Rotating Toys to Maintain Interest
Dogs, like humans, can become bored with the same toys day after day. Implementing a toy rotation system helps maintain your dog’s interest in appropriate chew items. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Divide your dog’s toys into 3-4 groups
- Make only one group available at a time
- Every few days, put away the current toys and bring out a different group
- When reintroducing toys, they’ll seem new and exciting again
- Occasionally add a brand new toy to the rotation to keep things interesting
This approach helps prevent your dog from becoming bored with their toys and seeking out inappropriate items instead. It’s also more economical than constantly buying new toys.
Safe Chewing Options for Different Ages
Different life stages call for different types of chew toys:
Puppies need softer options that won’t damage their developing teeth but are durable enough to withstand enthusiastic chewing. Rubber puppy toys, frozen wet washcloths, and specially designed puppy teething toys are good options. Avoid hard chews like antlers or bones that could damage fragile puppy teeth.
Adult dogs can typically handle a wider range of chew toys, including more durable options. Appropriately sized natural bones (raw, never cooked), antlers, hard rubber toys, and tough fabric toys are all possibilities depending on your dog’s chewing style and strength.
Senior dogs may need softer options if they have dental issues. Soft rubber toys, specially designed senior dog chews, or fabric toys can be good choices. Always consider any dental problems or jaw weakness when selecting chews for older dogs.
Effective Strategies to Address Problematic Chewing
Environmental Management
One of the most effective approaches to managing problematic chewing is controlling your dog’s environment. This strategy focuses on prevention rather than correction.
Key environmental management techniques include:
- Puppy-proofing: Remove valuable or dangerous items from your dog’s reach
- Restricting access: Use baby gates, closed doors, or playpens to limit where your dog can go unsupervised
- Bitter sprays: Apply taste deterrents to immovable objects like furniture or baseboards
- Provide alternatives: Ensure appropriate chew toys are always readily available
- Supervision: Keep your dog in sight when they’re not confined to prevent unwanted chewing
Environmental management is particularly important during the training process. By preventing your dog from practicing inappropriate chewing, you avoid reinforcing the unwanted behavior while teaching them what they can chew instead.
Redirection Techniques
When you catch your dog in the act of inappropriate chewing, redirection is more effective than punishment. The goal is to teach your dog what they can chew rather than just what they can’t.
Effective redirection involves:
- Interrupt the unwanted chewing with a neutral sound (a quick “eh-eh” or clap)
- Immediately offer an appropriate chew toy as an alternative
- Praise enthusiastically when your dog chews the appropriate item
- Remove the inappropriate item if possible
Consistency is crucial for redirection to work. Every family member must follow the same protocol, and the dog should never be allowed to continue chewing inappropriate items. With repetition, your dog will learn which items are acceptable for chewing.
Training Methods That Work
Beyond management and redirection, specific training approaches can help address problematic chewing:
- “Leave it” command: Teaching a reliable “leave it” cue helps prevent your dog from picking up inappropriate items in the first place
- Positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they choose appropriate chew toys on their own
- Structured exercise: Regular physical activity reduces excess energy that might otherwise be channeled into destructive chewing
- Mental enrichment: Puzzle toys, training sessions, and scent games provide mental stimulation that helps reduce boredom-related chewing
- Consistent routine: Regular feeding, exercise, and play times help reduce anxiety that might trigger chewing
Remember that punishment-based methods are generally ineffective for chewing problems and may worsen anxiety-related chewing. Positive reinforcement approaches are more likely to produce lasting behavior change.
When to Seek Professional Help
Veterinary Assessment
If your dog’s chewing behavior changes suddenly or is accompanied by other symptoms, a veterinary evaluation is warranted. Your veterinarian can rule out medical causes such as:
- Dental disease or oral pain
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Pica (the compulsive eating of non-food items)
- Neurological conditions
A thorough physical examination, possibly including dental x-rays or blood work, can identify underlying health issues that might be contributing to excessive chewing. Addressing these medical concerns is often the first step in resolving problematic chewing behavior.
Behavioral Consultation
If medical issues have been ruled out and your dog’s problematic chewing persists despite your best management and training efforts, it may be time to consult a professional animal behaviorist or certified dog trainer. These specialists can:
- Assess your specific situation
- Identify triggers for the chewing behavior
- Develop a customized behavior modification plan
- Address any underlying anxiety or stress
- Provide ongoing support and adjustments as needed
Professional help is particularly important if the chewing is related to separation anxiety or compulsive behaviors, which can be challenging to address without expert guidance. Don’t wait until the problem becomes severe – early intervention typically leads to better outcomes.
Conclusion
Chewing is a natural, normal behavior for dogs of all ages, serving important functions for dental health, stress relief, and exploration. Understanding the difference between normal chewing and problematic behavior is essential for effectively managing this instinctual activity.
By providing appropriate chew toys, implementing environmental management strategies, and addressing underlying physical or psychological causes, most chewing issues can be successfully resolved. Remember that consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key to teaching your dog appropriate chewing habits.
If your dog’s chewing seems excessive or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance from your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist. With the right approach, you can satisfy your dog’s natural chewing needs while protecting your belongings and ensuring your pet’s wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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My puppy chews everything in sight. Is this normal or problematic?
Extensive chewing is normal for puppies, especially during teething (3-6 months). However, it should be directed to appropriate items. If your puppy is destructive despite having plenty of suitable toys and adequate exercise, consider increasing supervision, providing more appropriate outlets, and ensuring all their needs (physical exercise, mental stimulation, social interaction) are being met.
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My adult dog suddenly started chewing furniture after years of good behavior. What could be causing this?
Sudden changes in chewing behavior in adult dogs often indicate an underlying issue. Possible causes include dental pain, anxiety (perhaps due to household changes), boredom from decreased exercise, or even cognitive changes in senior dogs. A veterinary check-up is recommended to rule out medical causes before addressing behavioral factors.
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Are certain chew toys dangerous for my dog?
Yes, some common chew items pose risks. Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injuries. Tennis balls can wear down teeth over time. Rawhide can cause choking or blockages. Sticks can splinter and damage the mouth or digestive tract. Always supervise your dog with new chew items, choose appropriate sizes, and remove items when they become small enough to swallow or begin to break apart.
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How much time spent chewing is considered normal for a dog?
This varies by individual and age. Puppies may spend several hours daily chewing, while adult dogs might chew for shorter periods. What matters more than duration is context and impact. Chewing becomes concerning when it’s compulsive, prevents normal activities, causes self-injury, or consistently targets inappropriate items despite having alternatives available.
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Can I completely eliminate my dog’s chewing behavior?
No, and you shouldn’t try to. Chewing is a natural, necessary behavior for dogs that provides dental benefits and psychological satisfaction. The goal should be to direct chewing to appropriate items rather than eliminating it entirely. A dog that never chews may be suppressing a natural behavior, potentially leading to stress or other behavioral issues.
