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By Caroline Biggs, Martha Stewart
If you have a dog that likes to gnaw on cords, cables, furniture, and other household items, you already know how problematic it can be. "If your dog excessively chews objects only when home alone or away from you, this could indicate separation anxiety or boredom," explains Dr. Vanessa Spano, DVM at Behavior Vets. "There's always a risk, if a dog ingests something he shouldn't, of an intestinal blockage or a choking hazard, which are both emergencies."
Along with destroying your personal property and potentially harming itself, Dr. Spano says that a dog that chews too much might have an underlying health issue. "Excessive chewing can indicate oral pain or underlying gastrointestinal stress and nutritional imbalances, especially if paired with clinical signs like diarrhea, vomiting, inappetence, or weight loss," she says. "Always consult with a primary-care veterinarian to rule out any underlying pain or skin issues." If, after addressing the above, you're left with a healthy dog that loves to gnaw on everything in sight, what do you do? We asked Dr. Spano for advice on how to stop your pup from chewing up your belongings, and here's what she had to share.
If you have a dog that likes to gnaw on cords, cables, furniture, and other household items, you already know how problematic it can be. "If your dog excessively chews objects only when home alone or away from you, this could indicate separation anxiety or boredom," explains Dr. Vanessa Spano, DVM at Behavior Vets. "There's always a risk, if a dog ingests something he shouldn't, of an intestinal blockage or a choking hazard, which are both emergencies."
Along with destroying your personal property and potentially harming itself, Dr. Spano says that a dog that chews too much might have an underlying health issue. "Excessive chewing can indicate oral pain or underlying gastrointestinal stress and nutritional imbalances, especially if paired with clinical signs like diarrhea, vomiting, inappetence, or weight loss," she says. "Always consult with a primary-care veterinarian to rule out any underlying pain or skin issues." If, after addressing the above, you're left with a healthy dog that loves to gnaw on everything in sight, what do you do? We asked Dr. Spano for advice on how to stop your pup from chewing up your belongings, and here's what she had to share.
Don't promote bad behavior.
If you adopt a dog at a very young age, Dr. Spano says it's crucial to avoid promoting problematic chewing behaviors from the get-go. "Don't give your pet possessions that you do not want them to chew," she says. "Additionally, an owner giving their dog attention (such as tugging at the object their dog is chewing on) may reinforce this behavior."