If your dog has been nibbling your pillows a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my dog nibble my pillows? Likely reasons why your dog nibbles your pillows are that it likes the feeling, it has learned that the behavior is rewarded or that something is causing it to be anxious.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your dog nibbles your pillows and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my dog nibble pillows?
Below are likely reasons why your dog nibbles pillows and what would make them more likely.
Teething
The reason why your dog has been doing it could be that it is teething. This would be more likely if it is young and it has started doing it suddenly. It would also be more likely if your dog has been nibbling on other things as well. In this case, it would help to give it things that it can nibble such as toys or bones.
Encouraging the behavior
Your dog might also have learned that the behavior is rewarded. If you tend to give your dog things such as toys, treats or extra attention, when it nibbles on pillows, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards.
Boredom
The cause could also be that it is bored and looking for a way to stimulate itself. This would be more likely if your dog tends to nibble pillows more before getting exercise. In this case, it would help to ensure that it is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.
It likes the taste
It is likely that your pillows have a strong taste on them. The reason why your dog has been doing it could also be that it likes the taste. This would be more likely if your dog also nibbles other things you use such as your clothes.
Separation anxiety
Your pillows also likely have a strong scent on them which could be calming your dog down while you are away. If your dog has been doing it when you are away, it could be due to separation anxiety. This would be more likely if it starts showing signs of being anxious when you are leaving such as by pacing or crying.
Diet issues
If your dog has also been eating the pillows, the cause could be that there is a nutritional deficiency in its diet resulting in pica. This would be more likely if your dog has been doing it since a change in its diet. In this case, it would help to discuss its diet in a checkup with a vet.
If it has also been eating them pica
If your dog has also been eating the pillows, the cause could be that there is a nutritional deficiency in its diet resulting in pica. This would be more likely if your dog has been doing it since a change in its diet. In this case, it would help to discuss its diet in a checkup with a vet.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your dog has always nibbled pillows
If your dog has not always nibbled pillows, 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 something causing it to become anxious, a nutritional deficiency or because it simply gained more access to your pillows.
The timing of when your dog nibbles pillows
If there is a certain time your dog seems to be doing it, it would help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if it only seems to do it when you are away, it would be more likely to be due to some separation anxiety.
What to do about my dog nibbling pillows?
Below are options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Redirect its focus
The first option would be to try to redirect its focus whenever it seems likely to start biting your pillows. Things to redirect its focus onto could include toys, bones or to perform a trick.
Avoid encouraging it
As mentioned above, it might be the case that your dog has learned that the behavior is rewarded. Instead, it would help to take the pillows then to avoid giving it extra attention when it does nibble pillows and to reward it when it is being well behaved.
Give it other things to nibble
It would also help to try giving it other things to nibble such as toys or bones.