Why does my dog eat used tissues?

If your dog has been eating used tissues, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.

So, why does my dog eat used tissues? The most likely reason why your dog eats used tissues is that it likes the taste and has learned that the behavior is rewarded.

There are actually a number of possible reasons why your dog eats used tissues and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it.

Why does my dog eat used tissues?

Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.

Pica

Pica is a medical condition where dogs start eating things they shouldn’t. If your dog has started doing it suddenly, it has been eating other things that it shouldn’t and it has been behaving unusually in other ways too, it would be best to take your dog to the vet for a checkup.

An issue with its diet

The cause could also be that there is an issue with its diet. It could be the case that it has not been getting the right amount of calories or that it has not been getting the right nutrients in its diet. This would be more likely if it has started doing it since a change in its diet. In this case, it would help to ensure that it has been getting the right diet.

Anxiety

The cause might also be that something has been causing it to get anxious and to behave unusually. This would be more likely if your dog tends to eat tissues at a time when it is more likely to be anxious such as when there are loud noises inside or when you are leaving home.

Encouraging the behavior

It could also be the case that your dog has learned that the behavior is rewarded. If you tend to give it things such as extra attention or treats, when it tries to eat tissues, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards.

Nature

It could also be the case that your dog has been doing it due to naturally wanting to tear things like it would to potential prey. This would be more likely if your dog also rips up the tissues.

It simply likes the taste

The cause is likely to be that your dog simply likes the taste. This would be more likely if your dog has not been behaving unusually in other ways.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.

If your dog has always eaten tissues

If your dog did not always eat used tissues, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in its diet, something causing it to get anxious or that it started doing it for extra attention.

The timing of when your dog eats tissues

It would also help to consider the timing of when your dog eats tissues since the timing could have something to do with it. For example, if it tends to do it more when you are not home, the cause could be separation anxiety or hunger.

What to do about your dog eating tissues

Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.

Avoid encouraging it

As mentioned above, it could be the case that your dog has learned that eating used tissues is rewarded. Instead, it would help to avoid giving your dog extra attention when it does it and to reward it when it behaves the way you want it to.

Limit your dog’s access to tissues

The easiest thing to do would be to limit your dog’s access to tissues by making sure to keep the bathroom door closed and tissues out of its reach.

Ensure it is getting the right diet

As mentioned above, it could be due to an issue with its diet. It would help to ensure that it has been eating enough calories and that it has been getting the right nutrients in its diet.

Get help

If you are unsure of why your dog has been doing it, it has been eating tissues excessively or it has been behaving unusually in other ways, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular dog and to rule out medical causes.

Why does my dog eat dirty tissues?

The most likely reason why your dog eats dirty tissues is that it likes the taste and has learned that the behavior is rewarded. It could also be due to diet issues or anxiety and would help to consider the timing and what else happened when it first started doing it.

Why does my dog rip paper?

It is likely that your dog rips up paper because it has a natural urge to rip things up like it would do to its prey. It could also be the case that your dog has learned that the behavior is rewarded.