You notice your pup obsessively licking, chewing and sucking on blankets around your home. While some normal oral activities self-soothe dogs, excessive fabric focused fixation could signal medical or behavioral issues needing attention.
Let’s explore common reasons behind problematic blanket licking and practical solutions bringing more peacefully tucked tails.
Top Explanations for Dogs Licking Blankets
Veterinary behaviorists identify various root causes for non-stop nibbling:
Boredom – Inactive pups with minimal physical/mental engagement resort to rifling through rubbish or fixating on fabrics to entertain themselves. Excess energy fuels frustration.
Early Weaning – Dogs removed too young from moms 6-8 weeks old often suckle blankets lifelong trying self-replicating lost nurturing. The missing bonding imprints lifelong behavioral imprints.
Pica Disorder – Some dogs compulsively ingest non-edible objects like rocks or fabrics to offset medical deficiencies or anxiety without able redirecting themselves appropriately.
Stress/Fear – High strung dogs lick beloved people scents embedded into linens trying self-soothing when worried crated alone or adapting within uncertainty like rescue facilities with unfamiliar smells.
Attention-Seeking – Licking earned owners affection previously so dogs default blankie biting exaggerated ensuring caregiver reactions again amid desired dog/people playtime despite disruptive downsides.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Recurrent irresistible urges to excessively mouth blankets manifest neurochemically beyond willful choice without medication/training addressing neurological imbalance.
Medical Issues – Dental disease, nausea, intestinal parasites or other issues create discomfort improved when biting/sucking behaviors massage gums or generate beneficial saliva buffers briefly diminishing symptoms signaling sickness.
Pinpointing exactly why your pooch picks at pillows guides next remediations. Their pesty penchant focusing feasting fabrics usually indicates deeper dynamics awry seeking resolution through attentive awareness.
Risks of Unresolved Blanket Licking
Allowing chronic blanket chewing risks:
Digestive Distress – Fibers loosened ingestion accumulate internally tangled trapping within delicate intestines or stomach lining. Surgical intervention becomes necessary removing obstructions in cases neglecting early management.
Bowel Irritation – Swallowing non food materials like cloth/stuffing scraps irritates digestive tracts causing vomiting, diarrhea and concerning constipation or blockages.
Dental Damage – Rigorous jaw clenching and tugging on tough fabric threads wears down tooth enamel and cracks teeth painfully.
Unsafe Contaminants – Carcinogens, dyes, microplastics, pesticides and flame retardant chemicals contained on some foreign fabrics poison dogs lacking judgment avoiding toxins.
Property Destruction – Tattered linens become unsalvageable and dangerous if metal threads or splintered wood pieces embed within remaining material dogs continuing shredding.
Don’t dismiss seemingly innocent blanket chewing progressing serious stomach/mouth troubles. Intervene early preventing hazardous habits and destruction.
Stopping Blanket Licking
Tailor these vet recommended deterrents curbing your dog’s linen licking long term:
Redirect Orally Fixated Energy – Swap chew guard approved plush toys mimicking blanket texture giving better suited outlets satisfying their oral compulsions minus ingestion risks.
Boost Physical Activity – Ensure your dog feels pleasantly challenged both physically and mentally each day preventing bored mouths from fixating blankets simply lacking any outlets for pent up energy and stress. Interactive games and vigilant pet parents prevent desperation.
Limit Unsupervised Access – Confine dogs when alone using baby gates/crate training preventing unlimited opportunity gnawing beloved blankets undetected for hours cementing the obsessive habit.
Apply Bitter Deterrent Sprays – Lightly spritzing bitter apple, vinegar mixes or sour anti-chew sprays onto favorite blanket targets deters any residual nibbling attempts by unpleasant taste associations without toxicity risks at affordable prices. Reapply often.
Try Anxiety Medications – For true clinically diagnosed separation disorders exacerbating blanket sucking/destruction issues, daily anti-anxiety supplements help take the edge off while also emphasizing positive reinforcement obedience foundations minimize contributing stress triggers branching destructive chewing habits long term through better nervous system balance and conditioned coping skills.
Correct Consistently – Each time you catch inappropriate licking, interrupt with a firm “No” transferring attentions rewarding an alternate settled floor behavior instead. Praise calmness ignoring pushy demands. Consistency convinces them chewing choices carry consequences redirecting energy into permitted pastimes you approve.
In most scenarios, underlying motivators fuel finicky fabric feeders warranting awareness bringing clarity behind bothersome blanket chewing better addressed through well rounded training, medical and environmental maturity improvements.
Preventing Blanket Chewing
An ounce of prevention protects hundred dollar blankets by:
- Fulfilling Your Dog’s Overall Needs – Both nurture dependent and high strung dogs stay content through dedicated outlets avoiding self soothing pitfalls. Make them your priority preventing problems in the first place.
- Removing Temptations – Limit free reign fabric access unsupervised until chewing habits resolves fully over months through training maturity. Use baby gates keeping dogs restricted only rooms offering appropriate chew outlets out of eyesight.
- Choosing Tough Toys Over Delicate Decor – Forgo frilly furnishings and stick durable denim, leather or well constructed plush animals withstanding daily canine assault. Budget bite proof gear into pet friendly homes accepting realistic wear and tear.
- Maintaining Consistency – Dogs lean consistency thrives them. Establish set house rules, family schedules and confident leadership early preventing scare triggered behaviors manifesting chaotic environments exasperating stress for insecure dogs.
Diligent pet parents skillfully balancing affection and boundaries through smart management wins over most obsession issues peacefully avoiding destructive dangers. Put proven prevention steps in place further buffering any remaining slip ups flaring along their improvement journey. Stay the leader not the frustrated follower.
The Bottom Line
Fabric licking spells seem innocuously odd initially until unhealthy habits erode digestive, dental and financial wellbeing long term. Compassionately explore underlying drivers itching your fluffy bedding bandit. Help them heal root causes sparking thirsty textile teething when toys or fears leave needs unmet. Once their world feels more secure from solid foundations of medical, emotional and environmental stability challenges ahead seem less scary. Confidence replaces compulsions choosing calmness at last by simply starting blankets battles smartly then loving completely within changes afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My dog only sucks on blankets, not actually consuming them. Is this still problematic?
A: Potentially. While not ingesting whole fragments reduces internal blockage risks directly, the suckling obsession itself usually reflects anxiety or psychological issues needing attention and appropriate behavioral redirection from veterinary guidance. Never ignore repetitive compulsions despite lack of visible medical harm initially.
Q: Can I put hot sauce or pepper powder onto my blankets to deter my dog from chewing on them when I’m not home?
A: No, that’s too dangerously caustic for use around dogs ever. Their mucus membranes and digestive tracts tolerate no extreme spice. Use exclusively pet safe, veterinary approved anti-chew deterrent sprays instead gently conditioning them choosing better outlets voluntarily when you can’t actively monitor and train target when home.
Q: My dog runs and hides under the bed to chew on blankets. How do I stop them?
A: Baby gate them out the bedroom not currently supervised so no sneaky access opportunities exist chewing secretly downstairs. Provide approved plush toys while confined distracting energy without ingestion capacity. Train them “off” and “leave it” regarding blankets using praise rewards directing them back to their designated spots consistently.
Q: Can trichotillomania in people also cause blanket chewing in human obsessed dogs?
A: Quite possibly yes. Dogs highly attuned observing their person’s focus often begin imitating or riffing off chosen repetitive tactile actions that comfort their beloved humans. Check your own habits too ensuring you don’t model any blanket chewing during tough times unconsciously cuing their attempts joining too.
Q: At what point should my vet assess medication options for my blanket obsessed dog?
If diligent daily training attempts consistently fail interrupting established obsessive urges over 2-3 months alongside providing ample outlets optimizing overall health and happiness, then behavioral medication becomes helpful consideration when nothing breaks their intense fixations needing chemical assistance quieting racing neurology unable responding voluntarily beyond compulsions. Veterinary behaviorists guide next steps specifically once ruling out any medical illness potentially exacerbating psychological symptoms.
