Dog Chewing and Scratching: Find the Cause Before You Train
In diesem Artikel
By Dr Duncan Houston
A shredded cushion and a chewed, red paw may both be described as a dog that will not stop chewing, but they call for very different help. Start by identifying exactly what happens and when.
Quick Answer
First distinguish a dog damaging objects from a dog chewing or scratching its own body. Object chewing may reflect normal exploration, unmet activity needs or distress, while skin chewing often indicates itching or pain. Manage immediate hazards, record when the behaviour occurs and arrange a veterinary check for sudden changes, skin damage, swallowed objects or severe distress.
Three patterns that need different responses
| What you see | What to investigate | Useful first step |
|---|---|---|
| Chewing shoes, furniture or toys | Exploration, teething, access to appealing textures, frustration or ingestion of non-food items. | Remove hazards and provide suitable supervised alternatives. |
| Scratching doors or damaging exit points | Separation distress, fear, confinement discomfort or an unmet toilet need. | Observe with a camera and reduce situations that trigger panic. |
| Licking, biting or scratching skin | Fleas, mites, allergy, infection, foreign material or pain. | Arrange veterinary assessment instead of treating it as disobedience. |
These categories can overlap. A dog with itchy skin may sleep poorly and become unsettled; a frightened dog may chew household objects and injure its mouth. The location and timing provide clues but do not establish a diagnosis.
Make the environment safer today
Put medicines, batteries, cords, socks, rubbish and other swallowable items out of reach. Use secure gates or a puppy-proofed room when direct supervision is impossible. A crate is useful only if the dog is already comfortable there; confining a panicking dog more tightly can cause injury.
Choose appropriately sized chew items that do not break into dangerous pieces. Avoid very hard objects that may fracture teeth. Supervise new toys, inspect them frequently and replace damaged items. No chew is suitable for every dog, especially one that gulps rather than chews.
Teach an acceptable chewing habit
Place suitable toys where the dog rests and offer one before it starts exploring furniture. Reward interest in the appropriate object. If you catch the dog with something unsuitable, calmly trade for a valued reward rather than chasing or prying its mouth open. Practise trades with safe objects before an emergency happens.
Provide activity that suits the dog: sniffing walks, short training, food searches and opportunities to rest. More intense exercise is not always better. A tired puppy may need sleep; an older dog may need pain management and gentler enrichment.
The AVSAB humane training guidance recommends reward-based methods. Punishment after finding damage does not teach an alternative. Shouting or using deterrents that frighten the dog can add stress without solving the cause.
When destruction happens during absences
Use video to see what happens soon after you leave. Persistent pacing, howling, panting, drooling, escape attempts or inability to eat may suggest separation-related distress. A destroyed cushion alone cannot tell you whether a dog is anxious or simply enjoyed chewing it.
The RSPCA’s separation guidance recommends understanding the dog’s response and seeking appropriate help. Arrange company where possible while a gradual plan is developed. Do not use prolonged absences as practice if they repeatedly trigger panic. Severe cases may benefit from veterinary behavioural treatment, including medication when indicated.
If your dog is chewing its skin
Look for hair loss, redness, scabs, moisture, odour, ear discomfort or an affected paw, without forcing painful handling. Fleas can be difficult to find, especially in a dog allergic to bites. Cornell’s guidance on sarcoptic mange explains why mites, allergy and infection can produce overlapping itchy signs.
Your vet may use skin or ear samples, parasite assessment and a structured allergy investigation. A food allergy is not diagnosed simply by reading an ingredient list or buying an online hair test. Do not apply bitter spray, essential oils or human creams to damaged skin. Prevent further trauma with a properly fitted protective device if your vet recommends it.
Cornell’s hot-spot information describes how licking and scratching can worsen moist skin lesions. Rapidly spreading, painful or oozing areas need prompt treatment. Itch-relief medicines have different indications and restrictions, so avoid choosing from a generic drug list.
When to seek emergency care
Contact a vet immediately after suspected ingestion of a battery, toxic substance, sharp object or dangerous foreign material. Vomiting, retching, abdominal pain, collapse or breathing difficulty needs urgent assessment. Gastrointestinal obstruction can become life threatening. Do not induce vomiting or pull string protruding from the mouth or anus without professional direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chewing always boredom?
No. Normal exploration, distress, discomfort and medical conditions can all contribute.
Will bitter spray solve it?
It may deter contact with some surfaces but does not address the cause. Check material and pet safety, and never use it on the dog.
Should I punish scratching at a door?
No. Check toileting, confinement comfort and distress, then adjust the setup and teaching plan.
Can skin chewing be a habit?
Repetitive behaviour is possible, but itching and pain need assessment before a behavioural explanation is assumed.
Protect your dog from hazards while you investigate the cause. A targeted plan for chewing, distress or itchy skin is more useful than one deterrent applied to every situation.
A useful solution starts with knowing what your dog is chewing and why. ASK A VET™ can help you organise observations for a veterinary or behaviour appointment.
