My puppy for 3 to 6 months (10 months old) has compulsively nibbled on blankets when he gets on a piece of furniture with a blanket on it.
I was not worried about stopping the nibbling, he does no damage to the material. But I’d like to make sure my dog isn’t developing an issue that could be harmful to him later on in life.? I did a bit of research and spoke to some Vets around my area .. here is what I got
Many dog owners are baffled as to why their pets like to gnaw on their blankets. In reality, not only do dogs eat blankets, but everything left laying about is vulnerable.
It’s possible to figure out why your dog is chomping on blankets, but it’s probably not that difficult.
As a canine, your dog’s natural nature is to chew, and hunting breeds are particularly prone to this behaviour.
They may do it out of boredom, annoyance, or fear, but most of the time it’s just a typical part of their routine.
Find out why your dog likes to eat blankets and how to stop it from happening by reading on.
Nibbling and biting are normal behaviours for dogs. While playing in the litter, pups learn to control their chewing and biting habits. One will yell or cry if they have been bitten too hard, letting the other know it hurt and that the nibbling was too severe.
Why Does My Dog Nibble On Blankets? [And How To Stop Them]
Your Dog may be just pretending to chew
So for the last month maybe, my dog has started doing this thing where she puts her mouth against something and kind of moves her teeth like she’s nibbling on it.
She does it to blankets, pillows, herself, and me. She isn’t biting, but it looks like it. She is also not sucking on it. It’s literally her putting her teeth flush against whatever it is and kind of chattering her teeth together.
The most that happen is that the blanket is a little damp. It also tickles when she does it to my leg.
If she was actually nibbling on things, I’d be very concerned. If she was doing it only on herself, I’d check for fleas or something like that. Her teeth and mouth don’t seem to have problems, she is having no behavioural issues and is eating fine.
This has been going on for a while, so it is relatively new, but not something she was doing three months ago. I can’t think of anything that has changed since then.
I was thinking of just asking my vet when i did he did say that just pretending to be nibble is not harmful as the doggo is not ingesting anything at all.
So, why do the dog’s Nibble on Blankets?
- Puppies that are separated from their mothers too soon may suck on blankets for comfort.
- Adult dogs of any breed can enjoy sucking on a blanket or soft toy.
- Unless the behaviour becomes extremely compulsive, it’s not at all destructive.
They could be Hungry
Even though your dog seems to be content with the food you give him, his nibbling might indicate that his diet is deficient in minerals and calories.
Nutritional deficits may cause hair loss and other symptoms including changes in bowel movements.
The amount of calories a dog consumes has a significant impact on how active it is.
You may notice that your dog is less active and spends more time lazing about if he isn’t getting enough calories from his food.
Make sure your dog’s food provides all of the nutrients it needs to be healthy and strong.
Your dog is bored
Your dog may get bored if he or she is left alone for long periods while you are at work. To pass the time, your dog may begin gnawing on objects around the house.
Making sure your dog can play with you and other dogs before you go to work is an excellent method to prevent this.
While you’re at work, have someone else play with you or walk your dog so you don’t get bored. Take your dog for a walk or run when you come home from work if that isn’t an option.
Changing up your dog’s daily routine can help protect him from becoming bored. Consistency is important to dogs; but, they also like going on new adventures.
Taking a different route, mingling with other dogs at the dog park, swimming, and savouring a few goodies are all examples of ways to keep your dog active.
Your Dog is relaxing
Even dogs, like humans, need time to decompress from time to time, which is why they munch on stuff.
Just as some individuals like playing with their hair, your pet may enjoy licking strange items, such as the legs of your chaise couch or your most recent novel.
If they don’t get enough exercise or positive attention from their owners, some dogs may chew on items as a means of coping with boredom.
Is Sucking on a Blanket Or Nibbling on a Dangerous?
As long as the dog isn’t suckling on the blanket for hours on end, it’s not regarded to be canine compulsive behaviour or obsessive-compulsive behaviour, a term coined for this kind of behaviour in dogs.
As a result, there’s no risk in carrying out the task.
Flank sucking is a kind of sucking that may be dangerous to a dog.
Some Doberman Pinschers exhibit this behaviour due to a genetic marker discovered by researchers.
“The issue may initially start as a displacement activity when the dog is dissatisfied, conflicted, or extremely aroused,” states the Veterinary Manual.
Almost exclusively, according to the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, Dobermans engage in the habit of sucking on their flanks. The habit might be modest in some dogs, but it can become compulsive and persistent in others.
If a dog prefers to chew on a blanket or pillow rather than his or her own body but does so in order to relieve stress, he or she is doing it out of a sense of comfort, says Dr. Jen Govel, the American Kennel Club’s vet.
Dogs in good health may use sucking and licking to relieve their pain by producing endorphins.
Your Dog could be Stressed
Feelings of Nervousness
Dogs’ nibbling activities are often associated with apprehensive sentiments, such as separation anxiety.
It is possible that your dog may resort to nibbling as a means of dealing with his negative feelings if he is angry and everything around him seems to be completely chaotic and incomprehensible.
Some dogs may even gnaw on objects as a method of coping with severe uneasiness and fear.
Your dog could be in pain
Your dog may have Teeth issues
Nibbling is a common activity in young pups that are only learning about their surroundings and are still developing their sense of smell.
When it comes to puppies, nibbling on items is a common sign of the pain associated with the teething process.
Be prepared for your dog to become even more “chew-happy” if his baby teeth are in the process of being loosened by the veterinarian.
Puppies’ deciduous teeth begin to fall out when they are between 6 and 7 months old, depending on their breed.
The level of his agony may be dulled by nibbling on items if your poor pup is experiencing gum soreness as a result of dental issues, as described above.
If you have any reason to believe that your dog may be suffering from a dental disease, make an appointment with your veterinarian right once.
Gingivitis might be the source of the problem.
Your Dog could be just playing
Dogs’ behaviour may also be a hint that it is time to play, particularly in the case of small puppies.
When puppies play with their siblings during the first few weeks of their existence, they chase after each other, gnawing on each other’s fur, and wrestle with each other — the whole nine yards.
Some dogs continue to exhibit these habits well into maturity.
If your dog chews on everything you possess, he isn’t attempting to cause you any inconvenience;
he is just acting like a dog having a good time. It’s also a clear indication that you need to acquire your dog some rubber chew toys as soon as possible.
Your dog is seeking Attention:
Dogs may be really resourceful animals, and if they discover a new method to get something, they will use it.
In the event that your intelligent darling has discovered that nibbling on things is a proven, dependable method of getting you to come over to him, he will begin chewing on items as well.
![Why Does My Dog Nibble On Blankets? [Can I stop them?]](https://petpawshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Jen.jpeg "Why Does My Dog Nibble On Blankets? [Can I stop them?] 1")
About the Author: Dog Behavioural Consultant
Jennifer W loves Pets! She is an animal lover. She loves caring for and sharing her knowledge of all kinds of pets.
Her Love for pets made her Join the pet paws hub Team, to share knowledge with the world.
Jennifer W – Dog Behavioural Consultant