Omar Khalid
Dogs often chew plastic out of boredom, loneliness, or anxiety. While it is a natural instinct, chewing plastic can be dangerous for dogs, as it may damage their teeth or, if ingested, cause intestinal blockages. To prevent this, dog owners should ensure their dogs get enough exercise and attention, and provide them with appropriate chew toys. If a dog begins to ingest plastic, it is important to seek assistance from a veterinarian and a licensed dog trainer to address the behaviour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for chewing plastic | Boredom, loneliness, anxiety, attention-seeking, teething, or natural instinct |
| Risks of chewing plastic | Tooth or mouth damage, swallowing inedible materials, intestinal blockage, plastic toxicity |
| Solutions | Provide alternative chew toys, use deterrent sprays, puppy-proof the home, increase exercise, provide mental stimulation |
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What You'll Learn
Provide alternative chew toys
Dogs chew on plastic items for a variety of reasons, including boredom, loneliness, anxiety, attention-seeking, or teething pain. To prevent this behaviour, it is important to provide alternative items that are safe for dogs to chew on. Here are some tips for providing alternative chew toys:
Firstly, ensure that you have a variety of safe chew toys available for your dog. These toys should be the appropriate size and consistency for your dog's mouth and teeth. For example, chew toys should not be harder than your dog's teeth, as this could lead to chipping or fractures. Stuffed dog toys with squeakers, rope bones, and KONG toys are all great options that are safe for dogs to chew on.
Secondly, rotate the toys frequently to keep your dog interested and engaged. This will help prevent boredom and ensure that your dog does not get tired of a particular toy. It is also important to supervise your dog when they are playing with toys, especially if they are new, to ensure that they are safe and appropriate for your dog.
Thirdly, consider using interactive or treat-dispensing toys. These toys can keep your dog mentally stimulated and provide a rewarding experience. For example, you can try giving your dog a puzzle toy stuffed with food or a toy that dispenses treats as they play with it. This can help create a positive association with the toy and encourage your dog to chew on it instead of plastic items.
Additionally, you can try providing edible chew toys as an alternative to plastic items. For example, pigs' ears or other edible dog treats can be a safe and enjoyable option for your dog to chew on. Just be sure to monitor your dog's chewing behaviour to ensure they are not ingesting too much or too quickly, as this could lead to digestive issues.
By providing a variety of safe and engaging chew toys, you can help redirect your dog's chewing behaviour away from plastic items and towards more appropriate alternatives. This will not only keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated but also help ensure their safety and well-being.
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Use deterrent sprays
Deterrent sprays are a great way to stop your dog from chewing plastic. Dogs often chew plastic out of boredom, frustration, anxiety, or attention-seeking behaviour. This can be dangerous as it may lead to intestinal blockage, or the plastic may become toxic to your dog's digestive system.
To prevent this, you can use deterrent sprays on the plastic items you want to protect. It is important to test each spray on a towel or tissue first. If your dog reacts negatively to the scent, it is likely that they will avoid items with that smell or taste. You should then spray all the items you want to protect. The spray will need to be reapplied every few weeks to reinforce the behaviour.
It is important to note that sprays may not always deter dogs from chewing a particular item. In this case, you may need to physically block access to the item for a few days to keep it out of sight and out of mind.
There are many other ways to prevent destructive chewing. You can provide your dog with lots of exercise, attention, and interesting toys to keep them entertained and distracted. You can also puppy-proof your home by creating a dog-safe area, blocking it off with a dog gate or wire pen, and only including items that are safe for your dog to chew.
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Puppy-proof your home
Puppies are naturally curious and energetic, so it's important to puppy-proof your home to keep them safe and prevent them from getting into mischief. Here are some detailed tips to puppy-proof your home:
Secure electrical cords and wires: Puppies may chew on electrical cords, which can cause mouth burns or electrical shock. Unplug and move cords out of reach, or use cord concealers or fish tank tubing to run them through.
Anchor heavy objects and furniture: Secure lamps, bookshelves, and other decorations that a puppy could pull over or knock down. You can purchase anti-tipping kits to anchor furniture to walls, preventing them from tipping over and harming your pup.
Secure trash cans and harmful items: Puppies can get into trash cans and eat toxic food or other hazardous items. Keep trash cans in closets or secure them with locking lids or childproof latches. Also, put away small items that are choking hazards, such as coins, rubber bands, and jewelry.
Keep plants and medications out of reach: Some plants are toxic to dogs, so it's best to keep all plants out of your puppy's reach. Additionally, move human medications, prescription pet medications, and toiletries to high shelves or secure locations.
Create a designated puppy area: Set aside a portion of your yard for your puppy to use as their bathroom area. Keep the lawn trimmed and free of toxic plants. Always clean up after your puppy to prevent them from eating their feces.
Provide appropriate chew toys: Puppies often chew to alleviate teething pain or release energy. Provide a variety of interesting and durable chew toys to redirect their chewing behavior away from plastic or other inappropriate items.
Remember, it's important to supervise your puppy closely, especially during the first few months, to prevent the development of bad chewing habits and to ensure their safety.
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Exercise your dog
Dogs are chewers by nature and chewing helps them manage their emotions. However, chewing plastic can be dangerous for dogs as it can damage their teeth and, if swallowed, it can cause intestinal blockages. If your dog is chewing plastic, it may be because they are bored, lonely, or anxious. To prevent this, make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and playtime to expend their energy.
Exercising your dog is a great way to prevent destructive chewing behaviours. Dogs with excess energy may resort to chewing as a way to entertain themselves, so providing them with physical stimulation is key. Aim to exercise your dog before you leave the house, as this will help to tire them out and reduce their urge to chew while you are away.
Daily walks are a great way to exercise your dog and provide mental stimulation. Try to vary your walking route to expose your dog to different sights, sounds, and smells. This will help to keep them engaged and prevent boredom. If your dog pulls on the lead, consider using a harness instead of a collar to protect their neck and throat.
In addition to walks, you can play games with your dog such as fetch or tug-of-war. These games provide physical exercise and mental stimulation, as well as an opportunity for you to bond with your dog. If you don't have time to play, consider hiring a dog walker or taking your dog to a doggy daycare where they can play with other dogs and release their energy.
If your dog is chewing due to anxiety, separation anxiety could be a factor. To help alleviate this, create a comfortable space for your dog where they feel safe. Include some of their favourite toys and blankets, and consider using a pheromone diffuser to help calm them. You can also try leaving the radio or TV on when you leave the house to provide familiar sounds and company for your dog.
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Address separation anxiety
Dogs may chew on plastic due to boredom, loneliness, or a need for attention. If your dog is chewing plastic, it's important to address this behaviour to prevent tooth or mouth damage, or accidental swallowing of plastic. To prevent this, you can use genuine chew toys to help define what is acceptable to chew on.
Now, here are some ways to address separation anxiety:
Separation anxiety in dogs is triggered when they become upset due to separation from their guardians. Dogs with separation anxiety may bark, howl, chew, dig, or try to escape when left alone. They may also show signs of distress, such as drooling and anxiety, when their guardians prepare to leave.
To resolve separation anxiety, the goal is to help the dog feel comfortable being left alone. This requires time and patience, as there is no quick fix for stress-based behaviours. Here are some strategies to help your dog:
- Consult a professional: Seek the help of a certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT) or a veterinary behaviourist. They can provide guidance and, if needed, dispense anxiety medication to support your dog's training.
- Understand the triggers: Learn what specific times or actions trigger your dog's anxiety. For example, your dog may become anxious when you put on your shoes or pick up your keys.
- Desensitisation: Start by doing the things that signal your departure, such as picking up your keys, but then don't leave. Repeat this process many times a day until your dog feels less anxious. Gradually increase the time you are gone, moving to another room, and then another door.
- Manage absences: During the training process, ensure your dog is never left completely alone. Enlist the help of a neighbour, friend, family member, dog walker, or daycare to provide company when you are unable to be there.
- Increase exercise: Provide your dog with plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation through training games, fetch, and interactive puzzles. A tired dog will be less stressed when you leave.
- Avoid food toys: If your dog has full-blown separation anxiety, avoid using food toys as a distraction, as the food may become a cue that something bad is about to happen, leading to further panic.
Remember, it is important to be patient and consistent in your approach to helping your dog overcome separation anxiety.
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Frequently asked questions
Dogs chew plastic for a variety of reasons. Puppies often chew to alleviate the pain of teething, while adult dogs may chew to satisfy an innate drive to sharpen their teeth. Dogs also chew plastic because they enjoy the crunching noise it makes. Some dogs may also chew plastic due to boredom, frustration, anxiety, or attention-seeking behaviour.
To stop your dog from chewing plastic, it is important to provide them with plenty of alternative chew toys. You can also try spraying plastic items with a dog deterrent spray that tastes unpleasant to them. Make sure to puppy-proof your home by blocking off a dog-safe area that contains no items you don't want your puppy to get into.
Chewing on plastic can cause tooth or mouth damage to dogs, as well as intestinal blockages if they swallow pieces of plastic. Ingested plastic can also become toxic to a dog's digestive system and cause additional problems when vomited or defecated.
