Nibbling on blankets. Why?

25876 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by BennieGamali, Jan 22, 2016

BennieGamali

Discussion Starter · Jan 22, 2016

Hey folks!
My dog nibbles on blankets, covers, pillow corners, carpets, clothes and all sorts of fabrics. She even nibbled on my fiancé's beard once.
She doesnt gnaw or chew on the fabrics, she nibbles with her front teeth. Her nose gets an scrunched up every time, so she looks quite funny while doing it. It's even funnier when she stops and looks at you because her lip gets stuck over her teeth.

She started this 2 years ago, she's 3 years old now.

She gets chewtoys, "bones" (not rawhide), eats dry food for sensitive skin, her teeth get brushed twice a week.

She also gets walked 2-3 times a day, she gets a lot of attention.

She often does this while getting cuddles, after having slept, when excited because people are coming home.

I don't understand why she does this.

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Jeru

· #2 · Jan 22, 2016

Perhaps she does this to calm herself. Chewing is very calming for dogs.You said she does this when she's excited, so it would make sense that she's trying to calm herself.

I am no expert, so this is kind of just a guess. I am curious what others have to say.

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traciek88

· #3 · Jan 22, 2016

I hope this answer doesn't sound patronizing but she likely does it because she enjoys it. Just like people, some dogs develop certain habits and enjoy certain activities. Clearly your pup likes chewing on cloth materials. It might've started in her puppyhood with teething and just continued into adulthood because of habit.

But I'm also assuming you mean she does this periodically. If she is doing this constantly, then it might be neurotic and a sign of an emotional issue. But the way you do seem to think it's funny sounds like it's probably not that serious.

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timber

· #4 · Jan 22, 2016

Sounds like you're talking about "flea nibbling".

One of my dogs does this a lot, but mostly to the other dogs and cats, yup she flea nibbles them all over, lol. I think my dog likes to do it for fun as it seems like she's trying to instigate play time when she does this.

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Rain

· #5 · Jan 22, 2016

Could be self soothing, could be a bit of an OCD, or she could just like it. I had a dog that did that and I think for him it had a calming effect, he was a hyper boy but when he'd settle down he'd nibble on whatever cloth was nearby, could be my sleeve, his blanket, a sheet.

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Artdog

· #6 · Jan 22, 2016

Sounds like suckling. One of my cats does it to the other cats ear, and to corners of plastic bags. I had a dog that did this, and she had her own blankie, and just did it to "her" blankie.
Maybe try reserving a blanket for her, and whenever you catch her nibbling on something else, offer her "her" blanket instead. First, look at all the things she nibbles to try figure out her favourite texture, size, shape, and choose her special blankie accordingly.

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BennieGamali

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 22, 2016

Thanks guys! It does sound like a habit/fun/calming thing now that you all said it. I was just worried it might have to do with her teeth or something.

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