Why Do Dogs Love To Chew?

No bones about it, dogs love to chew. But why do they chew? Can I give my dog anything to chew on? Why does he chew himself? What can I give my dog to chew on that is safe? I’m here to answer all of these questions. 

So why does your dog chew? The simple answer is it’s instinctual. Dogs chew for a variety of reasons, sometimes to relieve stress, sometimes because something on their body itches or hurts, sometimes because they are bored and it’s just plain fun for them. The act of chewing releases endorphins, they get that happy feeling when they are chewing on something. Chewing is also good for oral health, maintaining strong jaws and good for mental stimulation. 

Destructive chewing is something that’s best avoided, however. If your dog is chewing on inappropriate things, it’s time to do some investigating and also some training. If you don’t teach your dog what is appropriate to chew on and what is not, they will find anything to satisfy that craving --and you may not like the result. Train early on what is appropriate to chew on; toys, bones, etc. If you find the chewing is due to separation anxiety, it’s time to find ways to relieve that anxiousness. Crate training is one of the best ways to keep separation anxiety at bay. Contrary to what some believe, crate training is not punishment. Think of it more as your dog's safe space; their room. This is where they can go when they need to be at peace, when they need some quiet and alone time. If your dog is anxious when left home alone, putting them in their crate with a safe chew toy is one of the best things you can do. 

Pheromone diffusers or sprays can help alleviate anxiety. Adaptil is a great brand. If your dog is chewing on themselves, this is also destructive chewing. This can be due to a number of things. First thing to do, is make a vet appointment to rule out any pain or skin itchiness issues. If your dog comes home with a clean bill of health, it’s time to look deeper. Are they anxious? See the suggestions above or seek the advice of a behaviorist. Are they bored? They probably need more mental stimulation like play time, daily walks (find a professional dog walker in your area here), food puzzles, chew toys/bones, trick training (the list of tricks is endless depending on how talented your pup is). 

In terms of chew bones, there is one I recommend and that is a raw bone. These come in a variety of different types, marrow bones, knuckle bones and femurs. I recommend getting beef or lamb as they are large animals and it’s less likely your dog will swallow the bone, potentially causing a choking hazard. NEVER leave your dog unattended with a bone, while the risk is less with larger bones, it is never zero. And NEVER EVER feed cooked bones to your dog! If they accidentally ingest a cooked bone, go to the vet immediately!! Click here for more in depth info on raw bones. Do not feed rawhide either, that is made mostly of toxic chemicals in a factory. 

For chew toys, there are a plethora of items on the market. I love the ones that you can put food in or smear peanut butter (xylitol and sugar free of course) in the center, like a Kong. Just be sure to get toys that are size appropriate for your dog. A toy that is too small can cause a choking hazard and a toy that is too large will be frustrating for your dog. Avoid toys where your dog can chew off smaller pieces and potentially swallow them, this also is a choking or intestinal blockage hazard.

Because I am an advocate for pet wellness, I have to state the obvious. Below is copy and pasted from the ASPCA’s website about what NOT to do if your dog is chewing inappropriately.

• Do not show your dog the damage he did and spank, scold or punish him after the fact. He cannot connect your punishment with some behavior he did hours or even minutes ago.
  
• Do not use duct tape to hold your dog’s mouth closed around a chewed object for any length of time. This is inhumane, will teach your dog nothing, and dogs have died from this procedure.
  
• Do not tie a damaged object to your dog. This is inhumane and will teach your dog nothing.
  
• Do not leave your dog in a crate for lengthy periods of time (more than six hours) to prevent chewing.
  
• Do not muzzle your dog to prevent chewing.​
  

Always provide plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise for your pup and appropriate chew toys/bones. Doing so will help you to live a harmonious and happy life together.