There are many reasons why a dog might suck on a blanket.
It could be that they’re just trying to get warm and comforted, or maybe they’re chewing on something else in between bites.
Why do dogs suck on blankets?
Dogs have been known to suck on things like their own tails, other dogs, and even their owners!
They’ll also chew on anything they can find to help them deal with anxiety and stress.
So what exactly makes a dog want to suck on a blanket more than any other item in the world?
There are actually several different types of reasons why dogs suck on blankets.
The most common reason is that they’re just trying to get comfortable and warm.
This usually happens when they’re sleeping, but it can happen at any time as well.
Other times, a dog will suck on a blanket because they’re scared or stressed out.
When this occurs, they often try to calm themselves down by getting into a comforting position, which can include licking, nuzzling, or even chewing on the blanket.
And sometimes, they’ll simply chew on whatever is nearby to help them feel better about their situation.
Even though some dogs suck on blankets for comfort, there are still lots of other causes for it.
Let’s look at some of those causes below.
What are the benefits of sucking on a blanket?
If you have ever watched a dog sleep, you’ve probably noticed that they sometimes suck on their favorite toys, like squeaky rubber balls, stuffed animals, or even socks.
They will often use these items as a substitute for a regular bedtime snack.
It’s also common to see dogs who chew on blankets.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and in fact, some dogs enjoy the feeling of having something to bite onto when they’re sleeping.
While most dogs won’t need frequent snacks during the night, some dogs may require more attention than others.
For example, if your dog is used to being fed at every waking moment, this may make them feel uncomfortable and nervous without food or water nearby.
The same goes for dogs with separation anxiety.
This may explain why some dogs prefer to suck on blankets instead of other things, like a toy.
In addition, some dogs prefer to suck on blankets because they don’t want to leave behind any evidence of what they are doing.
For instance, if a dog chews on a blanket, they may find themselves unable to eat, drink, or poop until they’re finished.
So, it would be very difficult to clean up after them.
How can I stop my dog from sucking on blankets?
It’s important to remember that blanket sucking isn’t always bad.
In fact, some dogs will only suck on their own blankets.
They may also lick themselves clean after eating, which is another reason why dogs suck on blankets.
Although some dogs love to eat their own bedding, others are more content to chew on other things like toys and bones.
Sucking on blankets can seem harmless at first, but it’s actually harmful to your dog’s teeth.
Your pet could develop plaque buildup which causes tartar build-up, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
If you notice that your dog is sucking on their blankets too often, consider having them examined by your veterinarian.
The vet can check for signs of dental issues and determine whether there’s an underlying medical condition causing your dog to need extra attention.
Are there any health risks associated with blanket sucking?
While there are some potential health issues, most of the time blanket sucking isn’t harmful.
However, there are a couple of instances where this behavior could pose a problem.
1. Medical issue
If your dog is sucking on their blanket excessively, it’s possible that there’s an underlying medical issue.
This could include a respiratory infection, kidney disease, heart problems, cancer, or even diabetes.
2. Allgergy
Your dog could have an allergy to something in their bedding.
If they’ve been licking their paws and are now licking their blanket, this could indicate that they have an allergy to the saliva.
3. Dental problems
Sucking on objects, like toys, could lead to dental problems later down the line.
If your dog has been constantly eating small items, such as bones, rocks, or other objects, it could make its teeth too weak to properly chew food, leading to tooth decay.
4. Stress or Anxiety
Blanket sucking could also indicate that your pet is stressed out or anxious.
In this situation, it’s important to provide them with plenty of attention and affection so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or overstimulated.
What do experts say about blanket sucking?
If you have a dog who sucks on blankets, you probably have already noticed the problem.
Your pet may spend hours lying on a comforter, but he still doesn’t seem to feel comfortable enough.
This can lead to bad habits like licking his paws, scratching himself, or even biting his belly fur.
All of these things are signs of anxiety.
In fact, some dogs who suck on blankets have been found to have a condition known as “blanket phobia.” In this case, the blanket becomes part of the dog’s stressor.
They’ll only start to relax when they’re not using it anymore.
The same thing happens with bed-wetting.
A dog who has had trouble sleeping will often urinate on a favorite pillow or blanket to try to calm themselves down.
But what causes this behavior in dogs?
Is there anything we can do about it?
What do other dog owners say about their experiences with blanket sucking?
If you have already taken steps to address the issue of blanket sucking, then you may not need this article.
But if you’ve been looking into ways to help your dog stop, then let’s take a look at what some of those methods entail.
1. Try to distract your dog from sucking on blankets by playing games with them
Many people think that simply distracting your dog during the time when they’re sucking on blankets can solve the problem, but that’s not always true.
You should try different things until you find one that works for both of you.
For instance, if your dog sucks on blankets at bedtime, you can play a game called “I Spy” where you hide small toys around the house and wait to see which ones your dog finds first.
Then you can reward them with treats or even praise.
You can also try to bribe your dog with food rewards, like giving them a treat every time they find a toy.
Just make sure that you don’t overdo it so that your dog doesn’t become addicted to the idea of getting a treat each time they find a toy.
2. Put out chew toys and leave them unattended
Another way to keep your dog from sucking on blankets is to put out chew toys and leave them alone.
This method is especially useful if your dog sucks on blankets during the day, as they won’t be able to reach the blankets unless they have a chew toy nearby.
A simple Kong toy filled with peanut butter can work well here.
3. Cleaning up after your dog
Some dogs are very particular about how they want to clean themselves.
If you notice that your dog sucks on blankets more often than usual, then you might want to give them a bath before cleaning up after them.
That way, they won’t have any reason to lick or chew anything on the floor.
4. Keep blankets away from your dog
It may sound obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to forget that your dog can get attached to certain objects.
If you notice that your dog sucks on blankets more frequently than usual, then you should consider keeping them apart from each other.
You can use a crate or a kennel instead of a blanket to separate your dog from their favorite item.
5. Don’t punish your dog
If you catch your dog sucking on blankets, don’t immediately punish them.
Instead, you should try to figure out why they’re doing it, and then you can decide whether to correct the behavior or not.
For example, if your dog sucks on blankets because they’re hungry, you can feed them.
However, if your dog sucks on blankets because they’re anxious, then you shouldn’t force them to eat.
Instead, you should try to calm them down using techniques like petting, talking softly, and offering them a treat.
6. Teach your dog to stop sucking on blankets
One of the easiest ways to prevent your dog from sucking on blankets is to teach them not to do it.
When you notice that your dog is sucking on blankets, you should gently guide them away from the blankets by holding onto their collar.
Once they realize that they can’t get back to the blanket, they’ll learn to stay away from it.
Is blanket sucking a phase or will my dog do it forever?
Some dogs suck on blankets as a way of comforting themselves when they’re feeling cold.
Others do it as a way to calm down after a stressful event.
However, some dogs will continue to suck on blankets even during times of stress.
If you suspect that your dog sucks on blankets for comfort, then the best thing to do would be to
talk to your vet.
They can help determine whether your pet has any underlying medical conditions that could be
causing the behavior.
If your dog does have an issue like this, they might recommend medication as a solution to help
them relax.
While it’s not uncommon for dogs to chew on things like bones, hairballs, or stuffed toys, it’s still a
good idea to take your dog to the vet if they’ve been doing this for longer than a day or two.
Your veterinarian can also test your dog’s saliva to check for possible parasites or infections.
In addition to talking to your vet, you should also try to figure out what triggers your dog’s blanket
sucking.
For example, if your dog is usually comfortable and relaxed at home, but suddenly starts to suck
on blankets after going outside, you’ll want to consider whether your dog has gone through a
change in routine or environment.
This is especially true if you notice that your dog is only sucking on certain types of blankets.
It could indicate that they’re experiencing separation anxiety or are afraid of being left alone.
If your dog is sucking on blankets a lot, it’s important to find out exactly why so that you can figure
out how to stop it.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
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