Dogs do all kinds of things and usually due to a reason or reasons. Why does my dog scratch my bed sheets? In this scenario, we can see 8 reasons. Keep in mind that some people believe that dogs do this because they seek attention. This is not true. They do this due to many other reasons. Below we are going to explain them in detail and also reveal what you should do in order to eliminate this behavior. It is not always appealing.
Main Reasons Why Does My Dog Scratch My Bed Sheets
1. He Is Bored
Dogs can get bored as well. Why does my dog scratch my bed sheets? He is seriously bored, seriously and he cannot sleep. He will need something to do. Scratching or chewing are the best things he can do at that moment. If this happens you will have to give him a toy or something else. Ideally, you will take him outside for a walk. A long walk can help him use the energy and sleep better (same as with humans).
You can do anything you like with your dog that will keep him active. Ideally, you will keep him busy all day long and you would provide plenty of exercises. If you have a backyard and your pet can play there the entire day, this probably won’t be the reason.
2. He Is Preparing A Place To Sleep
Dogs have been doing this for a long period of time. For centuries actually. They will scratch the surface so they can make it better to sleep on. It is a common thing among dogs and wolves in the wild. Here’s what you should do if this is the case.
Put some old sheet or blanket on the top. Allow your dog to do this. This is in their blood hence you shouldn’t try and change this behavior. You may need to get him a special dog bed that is suitable for him. Some dogs do need an ideal place to sleep. They can’t sleep everywhere. Others can literally sleep where they want at any given moment.
3. Your Pet Is Uncomfortable
When a dog is uncomfortable, he will scratch the surface. It can be ground, floor, or in this case bed sheets. You can see him circling around the spot where he wants to sleep. After he is done scratching, he will lie down. He can be uncomfortable due to countless reasons. Fleas, infections, itchy skin, or something completely different. If this happens to your dog, you will have to make his sleeping area more comfortable. Get special sheets or a dog bed.
4. Food Scent
If you like to eat in bed, then you know about this reason. Your pet can smell food on the sheets. He will scratch it in order to find that food and eat it. Don’t forget that dogs have an impressive sense of smell so they can smell food when we can’t. The solution is simple. Stop eating in your bed and wash the sheets. You can even keep the sheets somewhere where he can’t reach them. You may want to feed your dog if he does this for longer than a few minutes. Maybe he is very hungry so he needs food.
5. To Mark The Territory
Dogs will mark their territory using countless methods. Scratching the surface, sheets, the ground is one of them. This happens if your dog can smell the odor of another dog or animal on the sheets.
Basically, they want to remove the odor of another animal and leave on their own. If this is the reason, you must wash and clean the sheets. The goal is to eliminate the odor of another dog or animal. He will stop. But the next time another animal leaves the door, he will probably do this again. Repeat the process again.
6. Low Temperature
Your dog is cold. Don’t think that their fur is capable of keeping them warm all the time. They can get cold as humans can. You will see him scratching the sheets and then he will lie down.
Basically, he wants to get below the sheets and get warm. Get additional sheets or blankets. Increase the indoor temperature. These things will help you end the behavior. There is no need to add that if the interior temperature is very high, then this is not the explanation of why your dog is scratching your sheets.
7. He Wants To Hide
Yes, he wants to hide. This happens in certain cases when a dog is scared. He may be scared of thunderstorms, loud yelling or etc. He will scratch the sheets and try to hide. You can give him toys, play with your dog, or even better, find the cause of that fear and eliminate it, if possible (you cannot make a storm go away). Your pet can be scared if you yell at him or someone else. He can be scared from loud TV noises as well.
8. Maternal Instinct
This happens only to female dogs. When they are going to give birth dogs will nest. This means digging a hole or scratching the surface to make the area more comfortable and to provide additional protection to puppies. Your dog thinks of sheets as ground. She wants to make the den and protect her puppies. There is no way you can prevent this. It can happen to any pregnant dog or even in dogs with certain hormonal issues.
The Final Word
Do you want to know all the things about your dog? Why does my dog scratch my bed sheets? This is an interesting topic and you need to know the reasons. Always remember the obvious. Find the cause first and then work on it. Your dog may do this due to all of the reasons from above or just one. Once you know the reason, you can try and end it.
Recommended Readings:
- Why Do Dogs Bury Bones?
- Why Do Dogs Roll In Dead Animals?
- Can Dogs Have Raw Meat?
- Why Do Dogs Sleep With Their Bum Facing You?