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Our canine companions can do some pretty weird (and sometimes unsanitary) things. Whether it’s eating poop off the ground or rolling around in garbage, dogs don’t mind getting a little gross. Sometimes, that affects us too, though, like when our pups eat our underwear.
This behavior begs the question of why dogs eat underwear. It turns out there are a few reasons they engage in this less-than-hygienic behavior; however, if your dog has become an underwear eater, there’s hope because there are ways to prevent them from doing so again. Here’s what to know about dogs eating underwear.
The 8 Reasons Dogs Eat Underwear
Here are eight reasons your dog may be eating your underwear.
1. They’re seeking attention.
One common reason dogs eat underwear is that they’re seeking your attention. If a pup feels ignored or like they don’t have your full attention when they want it, they’re liable to do something they know they shouldn’t to grab it. Even if you react in a negative way when your dog chews on your underwear, it’s still attention, so they’ll simply do it again because they know it works.
2. They’re bored.
A dog may also chew on underwear simply because they’re bored. When our canine companions lack physical and mental stimulation, they become bored and often turn to destructive behaviors, like chewing on things they shouldn’t. If your pup is chewing your underwear because they’re bored, it may be that it was just the first thing they found when they decided to go on a destructive bender.
3. They think it’s a game.
In some cases, dogs might chew on underwear because they think it’s a game. To be exact, they don’t think the chewing part is a game, but the part where you chase them around the house to get the underwear back? That’s a whole lot of fun. If this sounds like your pet, not chasing after them to retrieve your underwear could quickly put a stop to the behavior.
4. They’re resource guarding.
Of course, some canines eat underwear for more serious reasons than fun or boredom. In particular, dogs may eat underwear because they’re in resource-guarding mode. What is resource guarding? Resource guarding is when a pup gets aggressive towards other animals or people when those animals and people approach an item the dog deems high value. Resource guarding is usually centered around food and toys, but there’s a chance your pet has deemed your underwear of value and is eating it to keep it safe from others.
5. They’re teething.
This reason applies to puppies only, but if you have a puppy eating or chewing on your underwear, they could be teething. Puppyhood is when dogs chew on anything and everything they can get their mouth on; partially, this is due to teething, but dogs also use their mouths to explore the world around them. With either reason, though, the result is chewed-up or eaten underwear.
6. They like how you smell.
This may be the biggest reason dogs eat your underwear—they like how you smell! Dogs have a fantastic sense of smell that is much sharper than our own. So, they often use their sense of smell to figure out the world around them. You have a specific scent to your dog (a scent they likely enjoy), so they may seek out items that smell like you. What better than underwear? If you find your dog eating your underwear when you come home from work, this could be why they’re doing so; consider it a comfort thing since the underwear reminds them of you!
7. They need something to chew on.
Does your dog have enough chew toys? If not, they’ll find something else to chew on, and that may be your underwear. The simplest thing to do in this situation is to ensure your pup has enough toys to chew, which should hopefully leave them satisfied. If they’re content with what they have, they should leave other items, like underwear, alone.
8. They have an underlying medical condition.
A rarer reason a dog may eat underwear is because they have an underlying medical condition. Specifically, something known as pica, wherein a dog eats items that aren’t food. Pups with pica might also eat items like plastic, dirt, cardboard, or rocks.
However, other health conditions, such as anxiety and nutritional deficiencies, could also cause a dog to eat underwear or similar items. If you believe your pet may be eating underwear due to a medical condition, contact your vet to schedule an appointment.
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How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Your Underwear
Knowing why your pup is eating your underwear can help you eliminate the behavior (for example, if they need something to chew on, get them chew toys). But there are some other tips you may want to follow to prevent this behavior.
Keep your pup stimulated
Since boredom can play a key role in eating items that shouldn’t be eaten, ensure your dog has enough physical and mental stimulation. Ensure they’re receiving enough exercise each day through walks and play. Keep them mentally engaged, too, with puzzle toys or via training for dog sports. Scent training and nose games could be a great replacement for this “fun activity” they discovered. A dog who has plenty to do and is tired is less likely to eat your underwear!
Invest in obedience training
Obedience training is vital for all canines, but one particular command learned during obedience training is useful when a dog has something in their mouth that shouldn’t be there. This command is, of course, “Drop it!.” If your pup is eating your underwear, you want them to drop it right away, which the command will tell them to do. Just be careful because if you offer to switch out your underwear for a treat when you give this command, your pet will be even more likely to drop what they’re holding, but they can also learn to look for underwear to get a treat. It is best to reinforce the “Drop it!” command with different items and mostly reinforce with toys for your underwear.
Keep your underwear out of sight
Of course, the best way to keep your dog from eating your undies is to keep them out of sight. Keep them stuck in a drawer or closet, and put dirty underwear in a clothes hamper with a lid so your pup can’t get to them. Or simply bar your dog from the room that has the dirty clothes hamper, so they aren’t tempted to knock it over or chew on it to get at anything.
Call your vet
If nothing else is working to keep your dog from chewing up your underwear, then it may be time to call your vet. The issue could be a behavioral one that requires intervention from a professional, or it could be medical so your vet can help you plan the best course of action to prevent your dog from eating your underwear any longer.
Conclusion
Dogs eat underwear for various reasons, and some of these reasons have easier fixes than others. For the most part, though, your dog is eating your underwear because it smells like you or because they’re bored. You can take steps to prevent your pup from eating your undies, though, by keeping your underwear out of sight and teaching your pup basic commands. In cases where nothing else is working to keep your pet away from your underwear, speaking with your vet is your best bet.
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Featured Image Credit: Barna Tanko, Shutterstock
