Have you ever hurt yourself working in the yard or making the house because your pet destroyed your favorite shoe with its chewing? Knowing the reasons why dogs like to chew will help to explain this typical action of dogs. Dogs start from biting their puppies to maturing and delighting themselves with stress relief fulfills the canine worldwide sphere of services. In this post, we will make a journey through the amazing purposes why dogs chew and what helpful tools you have to control your dog’s chewing behavior. Alright, I will be needing a cup of coffee. Therefore, off we go to have an interesting look at the dog’s destructive chewing behaviors! You will be surprised how the little insights can do a lot if all you need to do is observe and learn how to better be friends with your dog.
Why do dogs like to chew?
There are different reasons for the enigmatic phenomenon of a dog excessively chewing. Among these, from propensity to canine innate behaviour stands out. Chesting the mark we get deep positive insight of our canine friends. Here are some reasons why dogs like to chew:
Teething
Just like human babies, puppies also undergo stages of teething. In the teething phase, the puppies’ gums become swollen or itchy. Eating the food helps relieve the discomfort and provides support for the new teeth to come through.
Exploration
Having their mouths as a primary instrument, dogs can get to know the world in a manner two-handed people do. This process will help them to explore different objects of size, texture, and scents, for which chewing is needed.
Relief from Boredom
Dogs are well-known for being smart and active animals. When they are kind of lonely for a long time or there is a tedious time they will chew things in an attempt to help with their boredom and to pass the time
Stress Relief
Dogs can benefit a lot by forming a habit of chewing too. What we see can be linked to what humans usually do when they feel nervous, such as chewing gum or tinkering with objects. That is, dogs turn to chew to self-calming and relieve their tension.
Dental Health
Provided with edible chew toys or specially designed equipment, dogs can frequently exercise their jaws to maintain daily dental hygiene. It helps clear plaque and tartar and avoids gum issues so keeps healthy of their teeth and good teeth.
Attention-Seeking Behavior
Dogs are social animals, which brings them to a point where they just can’t function properly without attention and human communication. For some, they will use their jaw to tug objects and thus depict the attention that they crave or a way of communicating their needs.
Natural Instincts
Dogs, which are classified as cousins of original wolves, are dente hunters and feckers. Chewing is a behavior that the fossil ancestors passed to their progeny and used for search, dismemberment, and eating bones.
Psychological and Benefits of Chewing
Stress Relief and Anxiety Reduction: Just like how we hold a stress ball or chew gum when we are under stress, dogs relieve themselves of stress, and anxiety by chewing seems to be a natural response. The rhythmic sense of movement while chewing happens to have a calming effect on these nerves and can help them to feel more peaceful.
Dental Health Maintenance: When their teeth become worn down and they have the urge to scratch their teeth, they must have items like chew toys and dental treats to chew on, which is beneficial for their dental health. With their teeth, the very activity of chewing removes plaque and tartar, thus preventing such dental troubles as tooth decay, toothache, and gum disease. Also, it plays the role of improving gum conditions and making their jaw muscles stronger.
Cognitive Stimulation and Mental Exercise: The act of chewing requires a dog to be more alert, something that makes it mentally stimulating and even doable. Even though chewing may not be solving a puzzle for them to gain some tasty treats that are hidden in their toy, or simply gnawing at a bone, it keeps their minds alert and fit.
Boredom Buster: Dogs are intelligent and social animals, the capacity to interact mentally and physically is essential to their well-being. As soon as they were taken away from the sort of activities they were accustomed to for quite a while without any sort of stimulation it was easy for them to become rather bored and a bit restless. Their teeth provide a way to help discharge the extra energy and avoid them doing other annoying behaviors like endless barking or destructive chewing.
Sensory Stimulation: Chewing enabled dogs to experience 3 sensory aspects: taste, smell, and touch. The fact that there are different textures and flavors of chew toys and treats that dogs can chew on their senses plays a very important role in making the animals feel more satisfied and have a positive experience with chewing.
Emotional Well-being: On the other hand, a dog in the process of chewing can experience a beneficial effect on the dog’s emotional condition. It gives them a deep feeling of safety, comfort, and specified times say in change or stress. Tearing away at their favorite items or gnawing on common objects can be one more method to make their environment resemble home and calm.
Environmental and behavioral factors
Environmental and behavioral factors are the most prominent reasons why dogs like to chew. Well, serves to increase a dog’s chewing habits. Since a deficiency in entertainment and stimulation could cause too much chewing, the same can be said of socialization and mimicking the owner’s behavior as well. Offering chew objects to nibble and providing mental stimulation may help reduce inappropriate chewing. Another possible reason for this behavior is attention seeking, and it might also be elevated if the dog strongly perceives that it is neglected. Placing the focus on the root cause is the appropriate way to handle gnawing behavior.
It is important to select chew toys that are matched to size, durability, and texture to meet chewing needs enthusiastically. Tracking for signs of surface damage on toys makes for a safe environment for kids. Interactive toys offer a way to combat boredom-related destructiveness by giving the dog mental stimulation. Knowing a dog’s age and how active the dog is is very important to picking the right toy. Firstly, providing an engaging atmosphere and solving your pet’s behavioral triggers would be a great catch for your pet’s chewing. Secondly, this would make life together a stress-free one.
Choosing the Right Chew Toys
Durability:
Look for durable chew toys that can bear your dog’s chewing behaviors. Select toys that are made of sturdy materials such as rubber, nylon, or hard plastic, which can endure heavy chewing and cannot be ripped off or broken into pieces.
Size:
Pick chewing toys that are suitable to your dog’s age and breed size. A toy that is too small the escape unswallowing can be hazardous and therefore a toy that is too large would be difficult to manipulate by puppies. There is no shortcut to a good-fitting harness. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for size guidelines based on your dog’s weight and breed for your best-fit harness.
Material:
When choosing the material of the chew toy, make sure that it’s good for your dog’s chewing tendencies. For example, some dogs prefer the softness and plushiness of the fabric, while others are not excited, but are instead enticed by the touch and sturdiness of the rubber or nylon toys. Try to stay away from these tools with small parts smaller than 2 inches or strings that can be ingested or cause injury.
Safety:
Safety first in choosing safe chew toys for your dog. Select toys that are free of harmful substances and toxins or the ones that are vigorously tested by proclaiming manufacturers. Check the toys often for signs of damage and fix or discard them to prevent choking or ingestion of the broken pieces.
Texture and Flavor:
The experience of dogs differs in terms of the texture and taste of toys. Give your dog different feelings by having them experience different textures like smooth, bumpy, or patterned, to see which one they feel best with. Remove this aluminum option and include flavored chew toys as an attractive stimulant for prolonged chewing.
Interactive Features:
The dog can be distracted from dental care by engaging chew toys fortunate to offer additional interactive qualities, like treat-dispensing mechanisms or puzzle design. Through the provision, the dog gets mental stimulation and entertainment. Such types of toys serve as the perfect problem-solving gear that wakes up your dog’s brain cells and it makes your dog stay engaged for longer.
Age and Activity Level:
Pick suitable toys for your dog based on age and activity level. Puppies may find relief in softer teething toys made especially for their age and chewing preferences, whilst older dogs could demand more durable better enduring toys to resist sharper jaws and firmer bite.
Tips for Curbing Destructive Chewing
Mental Stimulation
Activate your dog’s brain by introducing him to some interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and training methods. Mental stimulation keeps an animal alert which prevents boredom and decreases the chance of dangerous chewing out of of frustration or fear.
Supervise Your Dog
Watch your puppy closely, especially when they are more likely to chew destructively, such as when left alone or in a new environment. That way, you can instantly correct their chewing by distracting their mouths with the correct chew toys.
Provide Chew Toys
Provide toys that she wants made of difficult materials like rubber or nylon. Rotate the playthings that your dog has regularly in order to pique their interest and offer them safe outlets that will satisfy their chewing instincts.
Use Deterrents
Use everything beginning with a bitter taste and applied to the objects your dog is likely to chew on, to keep them from having what they are blocking. While this exclusion may apply, make sure to pick safe and pet-friendly products and read the manufacturer’s directions carefully.
Training and Positive Reinforcement
Introduce your dog to what you want him to chew through a setting of stable training and positive reinforcement. Encourage them by applauding and rewarding them every time they play with their toys instead of biting items that are not theirs.
Provide Attention and Affection
Charge your loose frames with high-quality time with your dog. For sure, give him attention, love, and physical contact abundantly. A lack of an increasing bond with the owner is one of the main triggers that can lead to anxiety and stress which are the main causes of destructive chewing done by the dogs.
Address Underlying Issues
If the destructive chewing continues after your efforts, see a vet or professional dog behaviorist to prevent it from being for medical or behavioral reasons. They can give special guidance and aid for the treatment of the underlying problem.
Conclusion
The question why do dogs like to chew? If it ever arises in your mind well, Chewing happens naturally with dogs and has several purposes such as feeling out exciting things as puppies and coping with stress when they become adults. By knowing the reasons for chewing and providing them with suitable toys, we can keep them in good shape and also happy at the same time. Consequently, your dog chewing should not scare you as it is a normal behavior. Nurture their natural tendency for chewing and relish that wonderful relationship evolving between you and your pet!
Also Must Read: The Top Five Most Stubborn Dog Breeds To Train
