Care & how-to
Why Does My Dog Chew His Bed?
Dogs usually chew their beds because they are teething, bored, under-exercised, anxious when alone, or simply enjoy the texture. Puppies chew most up to about six months. The fix depends on the cause: more exercise and chew toys for boredom, gradual alone-time practice for anxiety. Remove loose stuffing straight away, because swallowed filling can cause a blockage.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20263 min read3 sources
Teething puppies
Puppies explore with their mouths and chew to ease sore gums as their adult teeth come through. The ASPCA notes that this phase usually ends by about six months of age. A soft, plush bed is an easy target. Offer a variety of puppy-safe chews, including some that can be chilled in the refrigerator, and swap the bed for a tough, chew-resistant bed, mat or crate pad until the phase passes.
Supervise when your puppy is on its bed. When you see it start to chew the bed, calmly offer a chew toy instead and praise it for taking it. Putting the bed away when you cannot watch is far easier than repairing it or rushing to the vet.
Boredom and excess energy
A dog that has not had enough exercise or mental work finds its own entertainment, and the bed is right there. The ASPCA lists lack of exercise and mental stimulation among the most common causes of destructive chewing. Bed chewing that happens in the evening or after long, quiet days is often this.
Add a proper walk with time to sniff, a game of fetch or tug, a short training session and a food puzzle or stuffed chew toy every day. Rotating toys so there is something new every few days keeps them interesting. Many dogs stop chewing the bed once their day has more to do in it.
Anxiety and being left alone
If your dog only chews the bed when you are out, especially in the first minutes after you leave, separation-related stress may be the cause. The ASPCA notes that chewing from separation anxiety often comes with whining, barking, pacing or house-soiling when the dog is alone. Punishment does not help and usually makes anxiety worse.
Practice short absences and build them up gradually, leave a long-lasting chew, and keep departures and returns calm. For persistent distress, talk to your vet, who can rule out medical problems and refer you to a qualified veterinary behaviorist or positive-reinforcement trainer.
Comfort sucking, hunger and other causes
Some dogs lick, suck or knead soft fabric as a comforting habit. If it is gentle and does not damage the bed, it is usually harmless; if it is hard to interrupt or takes up much of the day, ask your vet whether it may be compulsive. Dogs on a calorie-reduced diet may chew more, and food smells on bedding can encourage it.
In older dogs, a new habit of licking or chewing soft surfaces can sometimes be linked to nausea or dental pain. Any sudden change in chewing in an adult dog, especially with drooling, bad breath, dropping food or vomiting, is worth a vet visit.
Keeping your dog safe
Swallowed stuffing, foam and fabric can cause an intestinal blockage, which is an emergency. Call your vet straight away if your dog has eaten a large amount of bed filling, or if it vomits repeatedly, strains to poop, has a painful belly, stops eating or seems lethargic after chewing a bed.
Until the chewing stops, choose a chew-proof dog bed with a tough, tightly woven cover and no exposed zippers, or a firm crate mat, and remove any damaged bed promptly. A bite-resistant pet sleeping bag and a tear-resistant washable dog bed are two examples of the type, and our guide to beds for chewers explains what to look for. A chew deterrent spray applied regularly can help some dogs, combined with plenty of better things to chew, such as durable dog toys.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
What should I do if my dog ate bed stuffing?
Call your vet promptly, especially if it was more than a few small pieces. Watch closely for vomiting, straining, belly pain, lethargy or not eating, which can mean a blockage and need urgent care.
Will my dog grow out of chewing its bed?
Many puppies do once teething ends around six months, especially with plenty of chew toys. Adult dogs that chew from boredom or anxiety need the cause addressed rather than simply waiting.
What kind of bed is best for a dog that chews?
A firm mat or bed with a tough, tightly woven cover, hidden zippers and no loose stuffing is the safest choice. Pair it with supervision and better chew options until the habit fades.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
