Destructive Chewing in Dogs: Causes & How to Stop It

Destructive Chewing in Dogs: Causes & How to Stop It

We all love our furry friends and do our best to give them a consistent flow of attention. With our dogs, we want to make sure to set a good example on how they should behave within our houses, as well as when they are out with us enjoying their days.

Sometimes, however, we may find that our furry friends have developed bad habits which can be difficult to fix, such as excessive or destructive chewing. Luckily there are steps you can take to work with this natural behavior and supply them with the tools necessary to live a happy life without destroying your belongings.

What Are The Signs Of Unhealthy Chewing In Dogs?

It is completely normal for young dogs, and puppies to chew on whatever they can get their paws on. In some cases it is a way for them to relieve pain caused by new teeth coming in as they mature, and is beneficial for your puppy to chew on things as they are teething, in this case, you will want to give your dog something to chew on that is safe such as a Bully Stick.

For older, or fully grown dogs it is a way for them to keep their teeth healthy, and their jaws strong. Chewing can also be used as a way for dogs to relax, and stay busy however in some cases it can be seen as a sign of distress.

Causes of Destructive Chewing in Dogs

Here are some causes of unhealthy chewing behavior

1. Lack of exercise

Dogs who are not stimulated on a daily basis, or who do not receive enough exercise to sufficiently stimulate them will often begin to compulsively chew on things as a way to combat their boredom. If you notice that your dog is starting to chew on things more than normal, try taking them on walks with you or to the dog park to try and get them more exercise.

2. Separation Anxiety

Sometimes dogs chew to relieve stress related to separation anxiety, a good way to tell if your dog is chewing due to separation anxiety is that they will typically chew on things when you are away.

For instance, you may find that when you come home they have chewed on your favorite pair of shoes, but when you are with them they almost never chew on your items in a destructive manner. The best way to deal with this is to make changes in how your dog views you leaving, check out our in-depth blog on separation anxiety in dogs.

3. Hunger

Sometimes it can be as simple as your dog not receiving enough food, so in an attempt to get more nutrients they will start to eat at whatever appears appetizing. Typically in this behavior, you will notice that they will only chew on items that are related to food in one way or the other. For example their food bowl, or leftover Tupperware.

These are often the main causes of unhealthy and destructive chewing habits in dogs. However, you may find that even after you make these changes, that your furry loved one still has a habit of chewing whatever they can. At this point, it is suggested to work with your dog, by supplying them with the proper tools such as a bully stick.

How Can I Treat Unhealthy Chewing?

There are many ways to go about trying to stop your dog from chewing your belongings. One way that may be offered to you is the use of products that discourage chewing such as bittering sprays or applications.

These products when sprayed on your dog's favorite chew item will taste bitter to them, making it unappealing stopping the chewing of that particular item. While this is an option it does not always work, as the sprays often wear off. This means you will most likely have to go around your house, and routinely spray everything that you own with the possibility of the spray itself damaging the items you are working to protect!

You may also be suggested to use a calming agent such as a synthetic drug to mellow your dog while you are away in cases such as separation anxiety. These drugs are not guaranteed to work in your dog and often come with many side effects.

This is usually offered as a last step, and not widely recommended. A much better alternative to a dog suffering from separation anxiety is to use an all natural supplement such as CBD which has shown major success, in aiding our furry friends who suffer from separation anxiety.

One of the best ways to combat unhealthy chewing in dogs is to give them a safe chew toy. The most widely conventionally used product s a rawhide or bones, but these are often toxic and are a choking hazard to your dog.

The most effective way to stop your dog's excessive chewing is to give them safe all natural chew toys such as Bully Sticks, these will keep your dog happy and busy while giving you time to relax and not worry about them chewing your belongings!

Why Are Bully Sticks Suggested For Destructive Chewing?

Bully Sticks for Dogs are natural and healthy (As long as your dog does not have a beef allergy). Bully Sticks are also 100% digestible for your dog, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal upset. They are also made from free range, grass fed cattle, containing no hormones, antibiotics, toxic chemicals, or bacteria.

According to veterinary dentists, the only way to provide proper dental health is by brushing a dog’s teeth or taking them to the veterinarian for dental prophy (cleaning). All those so-called dental chews, dental toys, and kibble do relatively nothing to clean a dog’s teeth! A bully stick is another effective way to clean a dog’s teeth because it requires some tough chewing which massages the gums and cleans the teeth.

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