Have an overexcited dog as your companion?
Notice it scratching at its bed, and has it already ruined its new bed?
It’s okay to feel concerned about this. We’re here to shed some light on this topic.
Why does my dog scratch his bed?
Dogs scratching their bed can demonstrate that they have claimed a mattress. They do this because scent receptors on their paws emit a specific odor. They also scratch to investigate if they believe something was lurking under their bed’s cushions.
We’ve only given you a peek into the article. But if it’s already gotten you excited, let’s continue reading.
Reason Why Your Dog Scratches His Bed
Let’s see all the possible reasons why your dog might scratch his bed.
Reason 1: Marking Territory
You could own a spoiled Schnauzer or a beautiful and pleasant Labrador. But all tamed varieties are sprung from wolves and other feral dogs. Your canine is sure to have acquired the urge to scratch its bedding from its wild forebears.
Dogs’ paws include tiny pores that help supply their odors over the soil. Your canine might dig at their bed or even yours to “mark their territory,”. This is similar to urinating on furniture to “mark their territory.”
Brought new pets into the household or transitioned to a different location? You will notice that bed clawing becomes much more intense. If this is the case, territorial demarcation is most probably the cause!
Reason 2: Making the Space Safe
A comfy dog bed in your guarded and monitored house might appear entirely safe. But your canine wants to keep its resting environment safe before relaxing.
Seeking care and security, their wild predecessors would revolve in circles and scratch at the ground. This was usually the spot where they hoped to sleep.
Another aspect they undertook was ensuring that nothing dangerous was concealed. They checked both the bushes and meadows’ for danger.
Scrabbling at the soil and roaming around before lying down frightened any nearby rats or reptiles. This would render their new bed cleaner and much safer.
Wild dogs often excavate to create a nesting spot to avoid predatory attacks. This spot was usually not noticeable from afar.
Dogs roll around in the mud and ground to pick up scents of nearby animals. Welling even slightly below the earth’s surface would provide additional security.
This impulse to establish a secure haven has been passed down for countless generations. This is believed to lead to a canine’s bed-scratching routine.
Reason 3: For Comfort
One explanation behind why your dog might be clawing at their bedding is for coziness. This is a very habitual behavior. Their predecessors also slept on twigs, sticks, bushes, and dirt in the wild.
Clawing at the ground before resting would mean a more pleasant position to slumber. Your dog might scratch bedsheets, too, as a way to get more comfortable.
Shifting their homemade mattress around would aid in clearing the area. This also creates a much more flat resting surface.
Your pup’s clawing may or may not be predicated on this hereditary routine. They could either scratch out of instinct, or they may be attempting to make the bedding comfortable.
Reason 4: Maternal Instinct
Bed-scratching is a natural mother behavior in dogs. Her bed-scratching activity will increase when your female dog is gearing up to have offspring.
She’s preparing a nest awaiting her new pups’ birth to make them safe and warm. It’s termed nesting in this scenario. It’s a healthy, chemical response.
Reason 5: Natural Instinct
To make a cozy pile of lodging, your dog’s wild counterparts scraped at twigs, mud, and fir mounds. They were burrowing and encircling relocated sticks, rocks, and vegetation into more comfy or consistent locations in the wild dog’s world.
The nest also functioned as a deterrent to attackers. Manipulating the materials surrounding them could aid in concealment and make them feel less exposed.
Tunneling under leaves and soil may provide a warmer or more relaxed environment for dogs to escape inclement conditions and high temperatures.
The tunneling tendency is still present in many domesticated animals. That’s why your canine makes a citadel out of his comforters.
Reason 6: Anxiety Issues
If your dog scrapes carelessly and then falls asleep, likely, they’re merely doing it instinctively. If this is the case, there is no need to be concerned.
If your canine paws at their bed persistently and doesn’t end with slumber, it could be a stress-related issue.
If you suspect your pup’s scratches are caused by anxiety, consult your veterinarian immediately. They will help determine the correct course of treatment and probable therapy.
Here’s How You Can Help Your Dog
Although your canine’s burrowing behavior is endearing, it may sometimes be damaging. If you’re not cautious, your pet dog bed will swiftly degrade into a jumble of filling and material.
The remarkable thing is that you would take so many precautions to stop it. This would allow your canine to appreciate his bed.
Solution 1: Trim Your Dog’s Nails
A proper pedicure is always beneficial for your dog. You can regularly clip your puppy’s claws. This will help to prevent the harm they might cause to his resting space. Dogs’ nails should be clipped per 3-4 weeks.
Periodic trimming can assist in reducing future upholstery or hardwood floor damage. This will also reduce infection of their nails.
If your puppy’s toenails are still pointed after trimming, lightly file them to prevent any marks.
Solution 2: Provide Them with Other Toys
Has your canine’s clawing at its bedding turned into a sport? Then it could be more than a peaceful bedtime routine. It could be due to a lack of stimulus. Take him on extended walks or provide them with toys to keep them working.
Solution 3: Buy a More Durable Bed
It’s not always your dog that’s the issue. It’s the bed they’re sleeping in. Cheap material and stuffing-filled mattresses aren’t built to last vs a dog. Especially one who digs and scrapes every night. That is why investing in a bed with a durable cover is critical.
A nice bed may also minimize the volume of burrowing needed to become warm. In that scenario, an orthodontic or comfort foam dog bed might be an excellent investment.
Here are some durable beds that you can take a look at:
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FAQs
What causes dogs to dig in beds and couches?
Dogs dig in beds and couches as an instinct. In the outdoors, canines would excavate to heat their nests. Similar to how people inflate their cushions before retiring. Animals will occasionally dig on furnishings out of restlessness.
What is the purpose of a dog following you around the house?
Dogs will frequently accompany their owners around since they seek to support. They also might be seeking another type of incentive for doing so. Canines will retain and do the action more consistently if it results in goodies. The majority of individuals will find this conduct endearing.
How do dogs decide who they want to sleep with?
Among the most fundamentally critical things about how puppies pick their resting spots is exploring the surroundings with their noses. Dogs cannot see colors as well as people, but their sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute.