Why Do Dogs Chew on Underwear and Socks?

It is not uncommon for your dog to chew on your underwear and socks – or even hide them! Just think about it. The soft, smelly, and stretchy fabric can be appealing to dogs in many ways. However, without proper management and training, sock and underwear stealing can become a problem. This is especially true if your dog is eating the socks and underwear. Unfortunately, this can cause dangerous internal blockages.

You may be wondering why your dog wants to chew on your socks and underwear. Most of the time dogs are drawn to underwear because it has their owner’s scent on it. Plus, it is an easy-to-chew object! It may also be an opportunity if your dog is going through the teething phase. Puppies love to explore things with their mouths!

If you haven’t realized your dog has eaten a sock and it goes on to cause an internal blockage, there are certain signs to look for. These include loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, and nausea. Keep an eye out because these symptoms can develop in days, or it may be weeks before it becomes a serious issue. Regardless, you should not delay seeking veterinary treatment. Keep in mind that when there is an intestinal blockage, dogs may suffer from severe dehydration which can cause even bigger issues.

The good news is that you can stop your dog from chewing on or eating socks and underwear. Simply put, do not leave socks and underwear laying around the house! You got that right; prevention starts with you as a pet owner. Other than that, you need to ensure that your dog is getting enough mental and physical stimulation. Many dogs who chew on socks and underwear are bored. We hope that you understand that socks and underwear can cause negative health affects to our four-legged friends. Please do your part in being proactive to prevent anything serious from happening.