Why do Dogs eat your Underwear? (and How to Prevent them)

Dogs can be destructive and sneaky, but they’re also adorable.

Your dog may love to steal your underwear to lick and chew them it is most likely because it smells like you or is a favorite toy.

Why do dogs eat our underwear and socks?

They smell good

Dogs are scavengers by nature, and they love the smell of freshly worn undergarments. It’s not that dogs like the taste of underwear, but rather that it smells good to them. The ammonia in urine is a natural attractant for most pets.

Curiosity

And the thought of having a favorite pair of underwear is appealing to them.

Dogs can easily tear through your clothes and find their way to the soft and comfortable undergarments within.

Spilled food

They may also be able to smell any food you might have spilled on your clothes, which makes them want to investigate even more. If you are leaving clothing on the floor that’s easy for your dog to access, you run the risk of them finding it and destroying it.

Your dog is bored

A less common reason why dogs eat our underwear is that they’re bored. If your dog isn’t getting enough attention or exercise, he may find himself chewing on his toys or underwear when he gets home from being alone all day.

Resource guarding

Another reason why dogs eat our underwear is that they don’t want you to take them away. If your dog has a favorite pair of undergarments, he may feel as though it’s his and be inclined to guard it against you.

Boredom and resource guarding can be prevented by making sure your dog gets enough exercise and attention every day. You should also pick up your clothes and toys so that your pet isn’t tempted to chew on them out of boredom.

Your puppy is teething

If your puppy is teething, he might have an urge to chew on things to soothe his tender gums. If you’re seeing him eat underwear more often than normal, it’s possible that the chewing is due to teething.

Anxiety

Anxiety is another cause of chewing behavior in dogs. If your dog has any anxious habits, such as whining or howling all night long, he might find chewing on your clothes to be a calming activity.

If you think your pet may be experiencing anxiety issues, you should talk to a veterinarian about what’s going on and how you can help him or her.

OCD

Your dog may suffer from OCD if he is chewing on things that aren’t normal. For example, some dogs will chew their paws or the hair off of their tail due to sudden stress.

If your dog is frequently chewing on undergarments for no reason, you should take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

How to get your dog to stop eating your underwear

To stop your dog from eating your underwear, you need to provide them with plenty of exercise and enrichment activities. If you have a high-energy dog, it’s important that you take him on long walks or runs daily so he has the chance to burn off some steam. You can also practice basic obedience training or trick training with your dog. Learning new commands, playing games, and learning tricks are all great ways to keep your dog’s brain active throughout the day.

Dogs can also be encouraged to eat their toys (or bully sticks) instead of ours thanks to a process called ‘shaping.’ By rewarding them for eating their toys rather than our shoes or underwear, you can teach your dog to go for the toy instead. Once your dog has figured out what you want them to do, be sure to reward them only when they eat their toys and not your belongings.

Another way to discourage chewing on our clothes is by using pet repellent sprays or plug-in air fresheners that release scents dogs don’t like. You could also try using a bitter-tasting spray to discourage your dog from chewing on certain areas of the house.

If you’re not sure why your dog is eating underwear, it’s always best to have them checked out by your veterinarian just in case they might have an underlying health issue that needs medical attention. If there’s no medical reason for the behavior, offer plenty of exercise and enrichment activities to keep your dog busy when you’re not there.

If your dog is eating underwear only when they are left alone for long periods, try spending more time with them throughout the day to give them the company and attention they need to stay happy.

What happens if your dog eats your underwear?

While eating clothing and underwear is generally not a very dangerous behavior for your dog to display, you should still try to discourage it. After all, you don’t want your dog ingesting something that could be potentially harmful just because they’re bored or guarding their personal belongings.

Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if they begin eating your clothing. The veterinarian will be able to provide you with advice about how to fix the problem so your dog no longer eats underwear or other people’s clothes.

My dog ate underwear, what should I do?

If you have a large breed dog, the knickers or clothing will probably pass. If he or she ate it recently, you should visit your veterinarian so they can induce vomiting to get it out. You should monitor your dog for vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and other signs of stomach upset until it does. If your dog has difficulty breathing or has a problem passing stool, you should take them to an emergency clinic.

Conclusion

Dogs eating underwear is a relatively common behavior, but why do they do it? There can be many reasons, such as anxiety, boredom, or stress. If your dog is eating your underwear, you should take them to the veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. You can also try providing your dog with plenty of exercise and enrichment activities to keep them busy when you’re not there. If that doesn’t work, you can try using pet repellent sprays or plug-in air fresheners that release scents dogs don’t like.

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