Why do dogs scratch their beds? Is your dog demolishing their bed with incessant digging and scratching? Find out why and what you can do about it.
As a true dog lover, your new puppy has captured your heart. You’ve invested time and money into your new pet, and that includes spending hours shopping for the best dog beds on the market. Two days after introducing your pup to the adorable, lacy bed with its pink canopy, the expensive piece of pet furniture is in tatters. Dog scratching is a common behaviour that many pet owners notice, especially when their furry friends are settling in for a nap. Why do dogs scratch their beds with their constant digging and scratching? Read on to find out!
Why Dogs Scratch Their Beds - don't worry
Dogs of every breed, age, size, gender and background exhibit this behaviour. It may begin early in life or show up in old age. There’s no need to worry that your dog might have a mental disorder or that you have done anything to cause the problem. Dog owners all over the world face the same challenge. The presence of other pets in the household can sometimes influence a dog's scratching behaviour. Keeping your dog comfortable and providing bedding that won’t become confetti within a week takes a little understanding and patience. Additionally, dogs scratch their beds as a self-soothing mechanism when they feel anxious, which is a natural way for them to cope with stress. If scratching is accompanied by other signs of distress or health issues, it may be worth consulting a professional.
bed-scratching: the symptoms
Bed-scratching behaviour is characterised by pawing, scratching and rolling around in the area where your dog intends to rest. Many dogs repeatedly circle before settling down and lying comfortably. Some animals burrow under blankets to create a tunnel or cave where they can hide. Dogs often treat a pile of blankets like a playground, but they will also scratch their resting area even if no bedding is present. If your dog decides to sleep on your cold kitchen tile, he may scratch and paw at the floor around him. Any surface he decides to sleep on is fair game. Dogs often scratch their beds to adjust the texture and for temperature regulation, helping them regulate body temperature to suit their resting preferences. Dogs may also dig or scratch to access cooler layers of bedding, which helps them regulate their body temperature and find a comfortable spot. Consider the benefits of raised dog beds.
Why does my dog scratch her bed?
Some of the most common reasons for bed-scratching habits in dogs include natural instincts, comfort-seeking, and emotional responses. Your dog’s behaviour may be due to one or more of the following.
Bed digging is a typical canine behaviour that often accompanies scratching, as dogs dig to create a comfortable or secure resting spot.
Certain dog breeds, such as Terriers and Dachshunds, are more prone to digging due to their historical roles and instincts. A dog's digging or dog digging at their bed is a natural behaviour, and many dogs dig or a dog digs to regulate temperature, mark territory, or simply out of boredom. Digs can also be motivated by a desire for comfort or to satisfy instinctual urges. Digging behaviour may also occur when a dog is stressed or anxious, serving as a coping mechanism for emotional discomfort.
natural instinct
Bed-scratching is a natural instinct. Your dog’s wild ancestors scratched at piles of leaves, dirt and pine needles to create a comfortable mound of bedding. This bed-scratching behaviour is an inherited trait rooted in ancestral instincts and a survival instinct, driving dogs to create a safe and comfortable resting place just as their ancestors did in the wild.
In the wild dog’s world, digging and circling shifted sticks, rocks and grass into more comfortable or uniform positions. The nest also served as protection against predators. Manipulating the materials around them could help conceal their position and make them feel less vulnerable. Burrowing under leaves and dirt could create a warmer or cooler space where dogs could escape the harsh weather and extreme temperatures. Many domesticated dogs still retain the burrowing behaviour; that’s why your dog builds a fort in his blankets. These instinctual behaviours stem from their evolutionary lineage, as dogs evolved from wolves.
territorial behaviour
Bed-scratching can be a territorial behaviour. Dogs are naturally driven to mark territory. You’re probably aware that dogs urinate on objects to claim them as their own, but that unpleasant behaviour isn’t the only way to get the job done. Dogs have glands in their paws that leave a distinctive scent on bedding or other objects whenever they scratch. You may only see a tattered blanket, but your dog may see and smell a space that he has made his own. Dogs are more likely to return to a bedding spot if they already feel it’s theirs. This may be why bed-scratching behaviours sometimes begin or intensify when a new pet or person has moved into the house, or there has been another type of major change in the household.
a learned habit
Bed-scratching can be learned. Although scratching could be territorial when it occurs after a new animal enters the home, it could also be a learned or mimicked behaviour. This is especially true if the new pet is another dog. Dogs tend to copy the behaviour of other dogs. If your new dog circles and scratches with glee, your other dogs may just join in for fun.
maternal instinct
Bed-scratching is part of canine maternal instinct. If your female dog is getting ready to have her puppies, her bed-scratching behaviour will suddenly increase. In this case, it's called nesting, and it's a natural, hormonal response. She's making a nest for the arrival of her new pups to keep them warm and safe. However, excessive scratching can sometimes signal an underlying health issue or discomfort, so it's important to monitor the behaviour closely.
Comfort and dog beds
Dogs scratch their beds as part of their natural instinct to create a comfortable and secure sleeping area. This behaviour goes back to their wild ancestors, who would dig and scratch at the ground to build a cozy shelter for rest and protection. Even though domesticated dogs now have the luxury of soft dog beds, many dogs still scratch their beds to fluff up the bedding and make it just right before they lie down. This bed scratching is completely normal and helps your dog feel safe and relaxed in their chosen sleeping area. Providing a high-quality dog bed made from comfortable materials can help your furry friend settle in more easily, as a well-cushioned bed encourages them to rest without excessive digging. Make sure the bed is the right size for your dog and add enough bedding to let them create their perfect spot. Remember, when dogs scratch their beds, they’re simply following their natural behaviour to create a warm, inviting place to lay their head.
Anxiety and stress relief
Sometimes, dogs scratch their beds as a way to cope with anxiety or stress. Separation anxiety, loud noises, or changes in the home environment can all make a dog feel uneasy, leading to excessive scratching or digging at their bed. For many dogs, scratching their beds becomes a soothing coping mechanism that helps them manage their emotions. To help reduce this behaviour, make sure your dog has a comfortable and familiar bed to retreat to, especially during stressful situations. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are also important for keeping your dog relaxed and happy. If your dog struggles with separation anxiety, leaving a favourite blanket or toy in their bed can provide extra comfort when you’re away. By creating a calm environment and teaching your dog to relax, you can help minimise anxiety-driven scratching and create a peaceful sleeping space for your furry friend.
Environmental factors
Environmental changes can have a big impact on your dog’s scratching behaviour. Moving to a new home, introducing a new pet, or even loud noises like thunderstorms and fireworks can cause stress and lead to excessive scratching at their bed. Dogs are sensitive to changes in their surroundings, and scratching can be a way for them to cope with anxiety or uncertainty. To help your dog adjust, provide a comfortable and familiar bed in a quiet area of your home. Keeping a consistent routine and offering regular exercise and mental stimulation can also help your dog feel more secure. If you’ve recently welcomed a new pet or experienced a major change, give your dog extra attention and reassurance. By creating a stable and calm environment, you can help reduce scratching behaviour caused by environmental stressors and support your dog’s overall well-being.
Dogs have an emotional connection
Dogs form strong emotional connections to their beds, and scratching is one way they express this bond. When dogs scratch their beds, the scent glands in their paws release pheromones, marking the bed as their own and creating a sense of familiarity and security. This behaviour is inherited from their wild ancestors, who would scratch and dig to create a safe shelter and mark their territory. For your dog, their bed is more than just a place to sleep—it’s a personal space where they feel safe and comfortable. Allowing your dog to scratch their bed in moderation can help them relax and feel at home. Providing a comfortable and familiar bed strengthens this emotional connection and can reduce excessive scratching caused by anxiety or stress. By understanding your dog’s need to interact with their environment through scratching, you can help them feel more at ease and content in their special spot.
Compulsive digging
While some scratching and digging is normal, compulsive digging can become a problem if your dog is damaging their bed or surroundings. This behaviour often stems from anxiety, stress, or boredom, and may require extra attention from pet owners. To reduce compulsive digging, make sure your dog gets enough physical activity and mental stimulation throughout the day. Providing a comfortable bed and redirecting your dog’s digging behaviour to a more acceptable outlet, like a digging pit or foraging box, can help protect their bed and your home. Consistent training and positive reinforcement are effective methods for teaching your dog to dig in a controlled way. If compulsive digging persists, consulting a veterinarian or animal behaviourist can offer valuable insights and strategies to address the behaviour. By meeting your dog’s needs for exercise, mental engagement, and comfort, you can help reduce compulsive digging and create a happier, healthier environment for your furry friend.
Strategies for managing scratching behaviours
If simply creating a comfortable spot for your dog to sleep could stop the madness of bed-scratching, life would be easier for dog owners. Unfortunately, even the best dog beds can’t eliminate natural instinct. Here are a few tips that may help you keep the household intact. Dogs also need physical exercise and mental stimulation to reduce anxiety and scratching behaviour, so incorporating activities into their daily routine can be beneficial.
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Try adding more blankets to your dog’s bed or providing softer textures.
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Place one very heavy, large blanket on the bed.
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If your dog is scratching on your floor and leaving marks, consider training classes or invest in nail caps.
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Try relocating the bed to a more private area.
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Invest in the right bed for your dog—look for a high-quality dog bed made from high-quality materials that is dig-proof, providing support, comfort, and durability.
Remember to reinforce positive behaviour by rewarding your dog when they settle calmly on their bed.
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