Why Does My Dog Nibble Pillows And What Can I Do About It?

Do you ever find yourself wondering Why does my dog nibble pillows? Many dog owners have been there before.

You come home from a long day of work, and your furry friend greets you at the door with an enthusiastic wag of the tail. As you walk in, you notice that your pillows have been nibbled on.

Why do dogs chew pillows anyway? Is it a sign of boredom or something else? It might seem like strange behavior, but there is actually a pretty logical explanation behind it.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why dogs may chew on pillows and what you can do to help curb this behavior. So stay tuned for more information!

Why Does My Dog Nibble Pillows?

Many dogs enjoy chewing on soft items like pillows and blankets. But why do they do it? There are a few possible reasons behind this behavior that include.

Boredom

If your dog is left alone for long periods of time, he may chew on pillows as a way to entertain himself.

This is especially common in puppies and young dogs who haven’t yet been introduced to enough toys or activities to keep them occupied.

Teething

Dogs often chew on things when they’re teething. This is because the motion of chewing can help soothe sore gums.

Pillows are a soft, safe item for dogs to chew on and can help relieve some of the pain associated with teething.

Anxiety

Dogs may chew on pillows as a way to relieve anxiety. This can happen if your dog is in a new environment or when he is around strangers.

Chewing can be a calming activity for dogs and can help them feel more comfortable in situations that make them anxious.

Attention-Seeking

Some dogs may chew on pillows as a way to get attention from their owners.

If your dog is constantly begging for attention, he may resort to chewing on things as a way to get your attention. If this is the case, be sure to give your dog plenty of attention and exercise when he isn’t begging for it.

Maybe They Are Hungry

Dogs may nibble pillows if they are hungry. This can happen if your dog is not getting enough to eat or if he is being given too many treats.

If you think your dog is nibbling pillows because he’s hungry, try feeding him a high-quality diet and limiting the number of treats he gets each day.

Medical Condition

There are a few medical conditions that can cause dogs to nibble pillows. For example, some dogs may chew on pillows if they have a dental problem.

Others may chew on pillows if they have a stomachache or an intestinal issue. If you think your dog’s chewing is due to a medical condition, be sure to take him to the vet for a check-up.

Trying To Tell You Something

Some dogs may chew on pillows as a way to communicate with their owners.

If your dog is constantly chewing on his pillow, it’s possible they could be trying to tell you something – like that they’re uncomfortable or need a potty break.

If this is the case, be sure to watch your dog closely and learn to read his body language so you can understand what he’s trying to say.

Maybe He likes The Taste

Although it’s not common, some dogs may chew on pillows because they enjoy the taste.

Pillows can contain a variety of substances like feathers, fabric softener, and dyes that may taste appealing to dogs.

If you notice your dog chewing on pillows a lot, try changing the type of pillowcase or fabric softener you use to see if that stops him.

Pica

Pica is a condition that causes dogs to eat non-food items like pillows. This can be dangerous for dogs and should be checked out by a veterinarian if you think your dog may have it.

There are a variety of reasons why dogs may chew on pillows, but most of them are harmless.

If your dog is chewing on pillows a lot, try checking the reasons behind it and addressing them one by one. This can help stop the behavior and keep your dog safe.

Tips To Help Curb This Behavior

If you want to try and stop your dog from chewing on pillows, there are a few things you can do. lets have a look at them

Provide Them With A Substitute

If your dog is chewing on pillows because he’s bored, providing him with a substitute can help.

This could be something like a toy or a bone to chew on. Be sure to provide your dog with enough toys and activities to keep him entertained so he doesn’t resort to chewing on pillows.

Correct The Behavior

If your dog is chewing on pillows because he’s anxious or seeking attention, correcting the behavior can help.

If you catch your dog chewing on a pillow, say “no” and provide him with a toy or bone to chew on instead.

Be consistent with this and make sure to praise your dog when he chews on his toy or bone instead of a pillow.

Increase Exercise

If your dog is chewing on pillows because he’s bored or hungry, increasing his exercise can help.

A tired dog is less likely to chew on things out of boredom and is more likely to eat when he’s hungry.

Be sure to take your dog for a long walk or play with him in the yard to help curb this behavior.

Never Encourage Him

Although it’s natural to want to pet and give attention to your dog when he’s being cute, you should never encourage him to chew on pillows.

This will only reinforce the behavior and make it harder to stop in the future. Instead, ignore your dog when he’s chewing on a pillow and provide him with positive attention when he’s not.

Change The Pillowcase

If your dog is chewing on pillows because he likes the taste, changing the pillowcase can help.

This is because different fabrics and materials can contain different flavors that may appeal to dogs.

Try using a pillowcase made from cotton or a different type of fabric to see if that stops your dog from chewing on pillows.

Feed Him A High-Quality Diet

If your dog is chewing on pillows because he’s hungry, feeding him a high-quality diet can help.

A diet of quality dog food will provide your dog with all the nutrients he needs and will help curb his appetite. Be sure to read the ingredients list on your dog’s food and choose a brand that is high in protein and low in carbs.

Spray Bitter Apple Spray On The Pillows

Bitter apple spray is a bitter-tasting substance that can help stop dogs from chewing on things.

If you spray bitter apple spray on the pillows, your dog is likely to stop chewing on them because they will taste bad.

Be sure to avoid getting the bitter apple spray in your dog’s eyes or mouth, as it can be harmful.

Remove All Pillows From The Room

If you don’t want your dog to chew on pillows, you can remove all of them from the room.

This will eliminate the temptation and help stop the behavior. Be sure to provide your dog with other things to chew on, like toys and bones, to keep him entertained.

Take Him To The Vet

If you think your dog’s chewing on pillows is due to a medical condition, take him to the vet.

Pica is a condition that causes dogs to eat non-food items and can be dangerous.

There are a variety of other medical conditions that can cause dogs to chew on things like pillows, so it’s best to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian if you’re concerned.

Conclusion

Chewing on pillows can be a dangerous behavior for dogs, as they can choke on the stuffing or ingest harmful materials.

There are a few things you can do to stop your dog from chewing on pillows, such as providing him with a substitute, correcting the behavior, and increasing his exercise.

I hope this article was helpful in explaining the reasons behind Why does my dog nibble pillows? and how to stop this behavior.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

FAQs

Why does my dog hold pillows in his mouth?

There are a number of reasons why dogs might hold pillows in their mouths, but the most common reason is because they like the taste.

Dogs may also chew on pillows because they’re anxious or seeking attention.

If your dog is chewing on pillows, it’s important to correct the behavior and increase his exercise. You should also never encourage him to chew on pillows.

Changing the pillowcase or feeding your dog a high-quality diet can also help curb this behavior.

If you think your dog’s chewing on pillows is due to a medical condition, take him to the vet.

Why does my dog nibble on blankets and clothes?

There are a few reasons why your dog might be nibbling on blankets and clothes.

Some dogs do it because they’re bored, others might do it because they’re anxious or stressed.

Dogs might also chew on fabric if they’re experiencing pain in their mouth or if they have a dental problem.

If you’re concerned that your dog is chewing on fabric because of a medical issue, it’s best to speak to your veterinarian.

Otherwise, you can try to keep your dog amused and distracted by providing plenty of toys and playtime.

You can also try training your dog some simple obedience commands to keep them busy and mentally stimulated.

Why do dogs nibble on blankets when excited?

Some dogs might nibble on blankets or clothes when they’re excited because they’re trying to mark their territory.

Dogs often do this when they’re new to a home or when they’re around people or animals they don’t know very well.

If your dog is nibbling on fabric when excited, try to keep them away from people and animals they don’t know until they stop displaying this behavior.

You can also try teaching your dog some basic commands like “sit” or “stay” to help keep them calm when around new people or animals.

Why do dogs nibble on toys?

Dogs often nibble on toys because they’re bored or anxious. Toys can help keep dogs amused and mentally stimulated, which can help prevent them from nibbling on fabric.

It’s important to provide your dog with a variety of different types of toys so they don’t get bored of the same ones.

You can also try rotating the toys your dog has access to every few days to keep them interested.

If your dog is nibbling on toys because they’re anxious or stressed, you can try helping them relax by providing plenty of calm and soothing activities.

You can also speak to your veterinarian about whether there might be an underlying medical issue causing your dog’s anxiety.

Why does my dog nibble with his front teeth?

There are a few reasons why your dog might be nibbling with his front teeth.

Some dogs do this because they’re trying to groom themselves, while others might do it because they’re experiencing pain or discomfort in their mouth.

If your dog is nibbling with his front teeth and you’re concerned about it, it’s best to speak to your veterinarian.

They can help determine whether there might be an underlying medical issue causing your dog’s behavior and provide you with the appropriate treatment.