Why do Dogs Chew on Toys: A Guide for Dog Owners

Dogs love to chew on things, and why not? It’s an easy way for them to relieve their boredom. Dogs also enjoy chewing because it makes their gums feel better when they are sore or inflamed. Chewing is a natural behavior that has been observed in wolves and coyotes too! However, it can be frustrating for owners who want to know why do dogs chew on toys so much. Some dogs like to chew on their toys because they are bored; some do it as a form of self-soothing, and some dogs even do it because they are teething.

Here are some common reasons why your dog loves chewing on his favorite toy along with several ways to stop the behavior.

Why do dogs chew on toys? 

Dogs of all breeds and ages love to chew. Chewing is normal, natural behavior that most dogs engage in throughout their lives. Not only is it an instinctive behavior, but your dog may choose to chew for a variety of other reasons as well. Some of them are as follows.

To Clean Their Teeth And Gums

Dogs use their mouths to investigate the world around them. This means they are constantly putting things in their mouth, especially when chewing toys helps keep teeth clean and gums strong. They may also chew on things they find in nature such as bones or rawhide chews to keep canine teeth and gums clean, similar to how they would in the wild.

To Relieve Stress And Anxiety

Dogs can experience both mental and physical stress caused by changes in their environment, especially during times of transition. Chewing is one-way dogs cope with stress and anxiety by providing a sense of comfort and relief. You can try to reduce your dog’s stress level through playtime or lots of exercise, as well as more traditional methods such as training sessions or crate time.

To Relieve Boredom

Dogs need mental and physical stimulation to keep their brains active. If your dog doesn’t get enough physical exercise or playtime, they may turn to chewing as a way of entertaining themselves when you aren’t around. Chewing is especially common in younger dogs who haven’t yet learned how much fun toys can be!

To Express Their Natural Hunting Instinct

Dogs are descendants of wolves, and they still possess the natural desire to hunt. This is why dogs may chew on shoes or clothing if left unattended – it’s an instinctive behavior that mimics hunting prey. To avoid this type of chewing, make sure you provide your dog with plenty of toys he can play with instead when no one is home.

To Express Their Frustration Or Boredom With A particular Toy, Such As If It’s The Only One They Have Access To And Isn’t Very Fun

Dogs may also chew on toys because they aren’t having much fun playing with them. This can be for many reasons – maybe your dog doesn’t like the type of toy you bought, or maybe the toy is damaged and no longer fun to play with.

To prevent this from happening, provide your dog with a variety of toys that are each appealing in their own way to keep them entertained while also allowing them some freedom of choice within certain limits.

To Express Excitement During Playtime Or Training Sessions

Dogs may also chew during playtime or training sessions to communicate their excitement and enthusiasm. If you notice your dog chewing on toys like this, it’s a good sign that he is enjoying himself and is interested in participating.

To express their happiness with you as a pack leader

Dogs don’t chew to spite us or make our lives more difficult, they do it because chewing is natural and fun for them! Just like humans can tell when someone enjoys doing something from the way they speak about it, dogs also use body language and vocalizations to express their happiness and enjoyment. When a dog truly loves the toy you bought for them, they may even return it to you as a sign of affection!

To get your attention

Dogs may chew and show inappropriate behavior to get your attention when you aren’t paying enough attention to them, even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time. When they notice that chewing on their toys earns them more playtime and affection from you, over time this can cause the behavior of chewing on toys because they want your attention or affection to become a habit.

To express their displeasure with something, such as if they aren’t receiving enough attention or playtime from you. 

Dogs may also chew on toys  and show destructive behaviors when upset about not getting enough attention or playtime. If your dog chews his toys while looking at you for help, this is an easy way to tell that he needs your attention. Be sure to give him what he wants and then redirect his chewing onto something more appropriate, such as a toy that is designed for chewing on instead of the one you wish to save!

Maybe they enjoy the flavor of the toy or the scent of it

In some cases, dogs may chew on toys simply because they enjoy the taste or smell of them! To prevent your dog from chewing on this type of toy, remove all temptation by supervising playtime and keeping these types of toys in a high place where your dog can’t get to them.

Physical stimulation to keep their brains active. If your dog doesn’t get plenty of exercise or daily walks, they may turn to destructive chewing as a way of entertaining themselves when you aren’t around. Chewing is especially common in younger dogs who haven’t yet learned how much fun toys can be! 

Sickness, such as if they are teething or have a toothache. 

A dog may also chew on toys to self-soothe when they feel sick, especially during the teething stage of their life! Depending upon what is causing your dog’s discomfort, you can try offering foods that help with this problem in order to reduce excessive chewing.

You may find that your dog tries to chew on toys in a variety of different ways, such as by ripping or shredding them apart and even by pulling off pieces at a time! This can be dangerous if it happens with soft rubber balls since these types of toys are meant for game of fetch only – not for dental chews! If you suspect that your dog may have a problem or be in pain due to some tooth fractures or a tooth damage, it is best to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

To express their displeasure at being left alone for too long

Dogs who are stuck home alone all day without much attention from the rest of the family might chew on toys because they feel lonely and crave playtime! If you have a dog who seems to chew more than others, try leaving them with some toys, edible chews and games so that they can entertain themselves when left alone.

To express their displeasure at being confined for too long

Dogs may also chew on things as a way of expressing the boredom or anxiety they feel if forced to stay inside all day with little or no interaction. If your dog chews on anything in their confinement area, be sure to provide them with plenty of toys and games so that they don’t feel the need to do it.

Different Ways To Stop Dogs Chewing On Toys

Dogs can be a pain to live with, especially when they chew on the wrong things. When dogs are young, it’s not as big of a deal because they don’t have as many options. However, once dogs start getting older and bigger it becomes much more of a problem. Not only can they do more damage if they chew on things, but the cost of replacing those objects also becomes much higher as well.

If your dog is chewing on things around the house, here are some ways to stop them from doing so.

Different Ways To Stop Dogs Chewing On Toys

Make it taste bad 

One of the easiest ways to stop dogs from chewing on things is through taste. This can be done by either spraying something that tastes bad onto the object, or by leaving a toy out with peanut butter inside it. Dogs typically will not want to chew on something that tastes bad and you can use this as a way of stopping them from their destructive chewing habits on the wrong objects without having to deal with any sort of punishment.

Toys specifically for chewing 

Dogs often enjoy toys because they are fun to play with. When your dog is chewing on these toys, it can be a good idea to get them some new ones that are specifically made for dogs who like to chew. These types of products tend to have a rougher texture and will simply work better as a way of preventing excessive chewing from happening in the first place.

It’s also important to make sure you don’t give your dog human toys, such as tennis balls as these will often be destroyed and might hurt them if they break.

Give more attention 

If you notice that your dog is chewing on things more than usual, it might be a good idea to give them extra attention. Dogs are social creatures who crave the interaction of others, so if they feel isolated for too long they may start looking for other ways to entertain themselves. If this happens, make sure you spend plenty of time playing with your dog to ensure they don’t start chewing on the wrong things.

If you have a younger dog, this might not be an issue at all because they will likely want more attention anyways. However, if you notice that it happens with dogs who are older then make sure you give them lots of love and affection in order to combat the problem. Additionally, this will also be of help in case your pet is suffering from separation anxiety.

Give them bones to chew on

Dogs love to chew, which is why bones make great gifts for them. When your dog starts chewing on things around the house, it might be a good idea to give them something else that they can use their teeth on instead.

This will not only help stop the problem of them being aggressive chewers on objects but also provide you with peace of mind knowing that they are safe.

Give them a Chew toy that tastes better than the one they’re chewing on 

If your dog is chewing on things that they’re not supposed to, it can be a good idea to give them something else for their adult teeth. This will help stop the problem of them chewing and provide them with another exciting activity to make their jaws strong.

It’s an excellent choice to get the required normal behavior from your canine friend but make sure there aren’t and dangerous fillings in the chew toys you will provide him.

Distract your Young, High-Energy And Untrained Dogs with something else to do 

If your dog is chewing on things around the house, it can be a good idea to distract them with something else that keeps their attention. This can be as simple as taking them for a walk to keep their mind occupied or giving them a favorite industrious fluffing toy that they like to play with.

Use an anti-chew spray or solution 

An anti-chew spray or solution is a great way to stop your dog from chewing on things and wet washcloths. There are variety of types of products that are designed with an unpleasant taste that will make it so they don’t want to chew on any objects again in the future.

This can be done by either spraying something onto specific surfaces, or by using objects filled with the solution. If you want to stop your dog from chewing on objects and puzzle toys around the house, this is a great way of doing so without having to reprimand them.

Put their chewed up toy in the freezer for a few hours and then give it back to them 

If your dog has chewed on something they aren’t supposed to, you can use this as a way of punishing them without actually causing any harm. Simply take the object away from them and put it in the freezer for a few hours before giving it back. This will ensure that every time they chew on their toy again or anything else they aren’t supposed to, they remember the unpleasant experience of having it be cold and hard.

Offer treats when they do something good instead of rewarding bad behaviour 

If your dog chews on things that they aren’t supposed to, it can be a good idea to try and distract them instead. This is because you should not be rewarding their bad behaviour in the first place. Instead of giving them something like treats every time they chew on an object, make sure you give these when they do something good instead.

Create designated areas for your dogs to play in 

If you have a specific area in your house that is designated for playing, this will help stop dogs from chewing on objects and dirty laundry in the house. This is because they know where to go and what not to touch when it comes time for them to play which can prevent problems like them chewing on things around the home.

Leave out fresh vegetables for them to eat 

Instead of feeding your dog table leg, you can also give them fresh vegetables instead. You will need to make sure that they are safe for dogs to eat but this is a great way of distracting them from other objects which could potentially be harmful if chewed on for longer periods of time.

Give your dog plenty of mental stimulation 

If you want to stop your dog from chewing on objects around the house, one of the best ways to do so is by giving them plenty of mental stimulation. This can be done by taking them for regular walks which will increase their minds activity level and help tire out any pent up mental and physical energy they might have that leads to them wanting something else to chew on instead.

Create a routine of playing with your dog before bedtime 

If you have a specific time of day that you get out to play with your dogs, this will help prevent them from chewing on things during the rest of the night. By ensuring they always have something else to do at this time every day, it stops them from being bored and wanting other forms of entertainment. 

FAQs

Why do dogs like to chew on sqeucky toys?

When it comes to dogs, they often enjoy chewing on their toys especially food puzzle toys. This is because these products are designed for them which helps keep them entertained and engaged. Since they are a specific type of toy, it means that dogs know what the object is and how to interact with them which can be a good way of distracting them from chewing on other things.

Why do dogs chew on soft toys?

When it comes to why dogs chew on their toys, it can be a number of reasons. For starters, dogs often chew out of boredom or a mild anxiety

which is why playing with them regularly can be a good way of stopping them from doing so. Secondly, some dogs chew objects because they are teething during this time in their life. This is because they are trying to get rid of their baby teeth and the only way that they know how to do this is by chewing on things.

Finally, dogs will chew on things that they are not supposed to because it is a habit. If you have ever tried giving your dog something new to chew on and they end up chewing the object you gave them, this is because it has become a habit for them.

What are some of the health risks of dogs chewing on toys?

When it comes to the health risks of dogs chewing on objects, there are a number depending on the type of object that they choose to chew. For example, if your dog chooses to bite down on a piece of plastic it can lead to the item being swallowed which can cause stomach problems.

If your dog chews on a piece of rope, it is possible for them to get their jaw caught which can cause damage and pain to their mouth. Lastly, if your dog is chewing on a rubber toy it is possible for them to end up ingesting the object which can cause bowel issues.

What should you do if your dog chews on an object that they are not supposed to?

If your dog chews on an object that they are not supposed to it is important for you to remove the item from their mouth as soon as you can. If the item is small enough to be removed easily it will simply mean that you need to pick up the object and put it somewhere where it cannot be accessed by your dog.

If the item is larger than this, it will mean that you need to take your dog for a vet visit immediately as it could be a sign of serious damage being done.

Conclusion

The science behind why dogs chew on their toys is fascinating. It’s not just something they do for fun, it actually benefits the dog in many ways! Dogs need to be able to release stress and frustration by chewing on certain items like rope toys, nylon bones or edible chews like bully stick sometimes.

This helps them feel more comfortable while also relieving pressure off of joints so that they can stay healthy. When you provide your pet with an appropriate outlet for these needs, both of you will benefit from this habit, which has been around since before domestication even began!

I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! If you want to learn more about how I can help your pets feel safe and happy, just leave a comment.