Have you ever watched your dog at bedtime, going through the motions of scratching, digging, and pawing at their bed and found yourself asking "Why do dogs scratch their beds?"
That one question has a lot of answers, as there are a lot of reasons a dog is scratching its bed. They range from simply making the bedding more comfortable, to satisfying their curiosity, to dealing with stress and anxiety, and more.
This guide explores some of the reasons behind our dog’s bed scratching habits, methods pet owners can utilize to curb their scratching, when to see a veterinarian, and the best sleeping arrangements that can stand up to scratchers.
Why Do Dogs Dig In Bed? Where This Habit Comes From
Way back before dogs were man’s best friend, they lived in the wild. The habits they learned over time kept them alive, and these behaviors can still be found in domesticated dogs today. Digging, scratching, circling, and burrowing were all part of finding a safe place to sleep each night. Let's take a look at where the four different behaviors originated.
Digging
Dogs in the wild slept out in the open, exposed to the weather and predators. They would dig up their sleeping spots for two main reasons.
Temperature Regulation
Under extreme hot or cold conditions, a dog would dig a sleeping hollow to regulate temperature.
In icy cold conditions, dogs would dig down into the soil to find shelter and warmth. In hot weather, digging a hollow into the soil offered the dog an opportunity to cool down. Dogs regulate their temperature through their footpads. Digging puts their footpads in direct contact with the cool soil.
Territorial Marking
Digging is one method many dogs use to mark territory as their own, as dogs have scent glands in their paws that will mark the area they're digging in with their scent.
What to us may seem like a trashed blanket will actually be something the dog has marked as its own. Dogs are creatures of habit and will happily return to a spot that carries their scent.
Scratching
Scratching is all about the dog’s comfort. Just as we fluff our pillows before bed, our furry friends utilize scratching as a way of making a hard surface soft and comfortable. Breaking up a hard surface creates a softer surface to sleep on.
Why do dogs scratch their beds? Because it's an instinctive behavior that, in nature, would move leaves and underbrush in to cover the bare dirt to make sleeping more comfortable.
Circling
The habit of circling a few times before lying down has been linked back to wolves. Before sleeping, a wild wolf would turn a few circles with their noses in the air. This helped them to find which direction the wind was coming from. They'd sleep facing the oncoming wind to warn them of the approach of an enemy.
Circling also had to do with tamping down the grass and leaves to make a comfier sleeping place. For warmth, wild dogs would circle in together and snuggle up to share body heat.
For wild ancestors, circling has the added bonus of driving out any snakes, rats, or other critters that could cause problems for dogs.
Burrowing
Does your dog enjoy making a blanket fort? Dogs living in the wild burrowed under dirt and leaves to create an insulated space to protect them from temperature extremes. It also provided camouflage to hide the dog's position and helped them feel less vulnerable. This burrowing instinct is what causes our dogs to bury themselves under their blankets.
Why Do Dogs Scratch Their Bed Now?
As dogs became domesticated, the need to do things for survival lessened, but behavior patterns remained written into their genes.
Even though their actions aren't necessary for survival, our dog's behavior in our homes can help us understand our fur buddies. Here are some other reasons a dog may take to digging in his bed.
Curiosity
It might be an interesting smell or the noise of something moving underneath the blankets that makes your dog dig. Dogs are curious explorers by nature and a whiff or a squeak can set them off on a digging spree.
Stress or Anxiety Might Increase the Digging
Dogs feel anxious if there are changes at home, such as the addition of a new pet or family member. Stressed dogs will tend to dig and scratch more. There is a fine line between scratching to relax or scratching out of anxiety or nervous energy.
If you notice that the pre-bed scratch is stressing your dog out more than self soothing and calming them down, you can try distracting her with another toy. If you don't manage to bring down her anxiety levels, it might be time to talk to your vet.
Copy-Cat Bed-Scratching
Introducing a new dog to the family might make the existing dog’s bed-scratching habits worse, as they try to mark their site. Part of this could be territorial, but if the new dog is a happy-digger, it can easily rub off on the rest of the pack.
Maternal Instinct
A female dog close to delivering her puppies will go on a bed-scratching frenzy. Behavior like this is part of the canine nesting instinct and it's caused mostly by hormones. Her digging is to create a nest for her new pups to keep them warm and safe.
Territorial Behavior
Dogs are more likely to return to a bedding spot if they already feel it’s theirs. This may be why bed-scratching behaviors 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.
Sensory Stimulation
Just like us, dogs benefit from a sleep environment that stimulates their senses in a calming way. Creating a sensory haven for your dog can significantly enhance their sleep experience and make them less likely to scratch. Think about the colors, textures, and lighting in their sleeping area. Calming colors and soft, soothing textures can make a big difference. Gentle lighting, or even a nightlight, can help your dog feel comfortable.
Incorporating natural elements can also contribute to a restful atmosphere. A small plant or a water feature can create a serene environment that helps your dog relax. By paying attention to these sensory details, you can help your dog enjoy a deeper, more rejuvenating sleep.
Physical and Environmental Factors
The quality of your dog’s sleep is heavily influenced by physical and environmental factors. A comfortable sleeping area is crucial for a restful night with less scratching. Consider the temperature and humidity levels in your dog’s sleeping area. Dogs, like humans, sleep better in a well-ventilated room with a comfortable temperature range.
Noise levels can also impact sleep quality. Try to minimize loud noises and create a quiet, peaceful environment for your dog. These small adjustments can make a big difference in helping your dog get the rest they need.
Physical Comfort
Physical comfort is a cornerstone of a good night’s sleep for your dog. A supportive mattress and comfortable pillows can make a significant difference. The type of bed and the materials used are crucial. For instance, a memory foam mattress can provide optimal support and pressure relief, ensuring your dog sleeps soundly.
Investing in high-quality bedding can help improve your dog’s sleep quality and reduce the risk of discomfort or pain. A well-chosen bed can support your dog’s joints and spine, helping to prevent issues like back pain. By prioritizing physical comfort, you can help your dog enjoy a more restful and restorative sleep.
Here at Bully Beds, we've heard from many pet owners looking for most comfortable dog bed that have seen great results from our Original Bully Bed Orthopedic Dog Bed. Dogs prefer a comfy spot that is both comfortable and supportive, and our Original Bully Bed's memory foam base is soft and cozy while contouring to your dog's shape for orthopedic support.
When Does a Digging or Scratching Behavior Become a Problem?
While some digging is a normal behavior, it can become destructive behaviors and hard to train out of our dogs since it is linked to a survival instinct, as part of surviving in the wild was the ability to make a safe, comfortable shelter. But when do these instincts cross a line and become a problem?
If our dogs destroy each new bed that we buy for them or damage our wooden floors or other parts of our home by scratching, the issue needs to be addressed. While our dog's instincts can never be removed completely, there are ways of minimizing the damage that they cause.
3 Ways to Scratch-Proof Your Dog's Bed
1. Give Your Pooch a Nail Cut
A dog manicure once a month will keep our dog's nails short enough to prevent damage to his sleeping spot, as well as furniture and wooden floors. Keeping our dog's nails short is healthy and can prevent the nails from infections.
2. Give Them Other Ways to Play
If a dog is tearing up their bed as a game rather than a pre-sleep ritual, it could mean that they are under-stimulated. Get them some new, interesting, toys, make their walks a bit longer, and find other ways for the dogs to exercise (like at a dog park) so they can get the mental stimulation and physical activity they need in more acceptable outlets. Keeping them occupied and happy will help make their bed last longer.
3. Invest in a Tougher Bed
Cheap dog beds are made from inferior fabric and stuffing that won't survive a dog's digging habit. Choose a comfortable bed with a durable cover that's designed to last. Our Chew Proof Dog Bed (with a 200 Day Guarantee) is made with Kevlar-reinforced seams, heavy-duty closures, and our proprietary BullyTuf™ cover material to stand up to aggressive chewers and scratchers.
Other Ways to Help Stop Your Dog Digging
A dog's innate behavior to scratch can run strong. Here are some other strategies to preserve your dog's bed.
Doggy Blanket Pile
Fill your dog's sleeping area with a pile of blankets. He can use them to snuggle into and make a den where he is comfortable. Consider changing his blankets. You can experiment with different thicknesses and textures until you find a combination that really works for your dog.
Wash Bedding Less
If you find your dog scratching or digging up their bed for territorial reasons, avoid washing his blankets or pillows. Clean bedding won't smell familiar and might make him scratch even more.
Move The Location of the Bed
Your dog may be scratching from stress if his bed is in a place that's too busy. Try moving his bed to a quieter, darker location or an area that is slightly more enclosed.
What Makes a Dog Bed Great?
For a dog bed to check all the boxes, it needs to be comfortable for the dog and be too strong to be chewed apart. An added bonus is a top layer of waterproofing for protection from soiling. Strong, indestructible zips are a must.
Here's a handy checklist for things to look for in a dog bed:
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A removable, washable, microfiber cover
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A waterproof liner
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Chew resistant, heavy-duty zips
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Non-slip base
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Memory foam
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For older dogs with arthritis - infrared dog bed
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For cold climates or seasons - a heated bed
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20-year warranty
Here at Bully Beds, we offer all these benefits in our extensive range of dog beds that were designed with man's best friend in mind.
Time For a New Dog Bed?
Scratching before bed is normal, but if your dog goes overboard, you can help him relax and feel more comfortable with a new bed or blanket. We have a range of beds to choose from. There is a bed suitable for every size and shape of dog.
Our fur buddy's natural instincts don't have to give us gray hair. We can give him a perfectly tailored sleep solution and see how relaxed and happy he'll be.
To Worry, or Not To Worry?
A dog that digs, scratches, or circles is usually not a cause to worry. Scratching is completely natural and both young dogs and old dogs are prone to it. Did you cause your dog's digging habit? Nope, not at all. Does your dog have a mental problem? Not likely. All dog owners face the same issue.
No need to helplessly wonder "Why do dogs scratch their beds?" Monitor your dog's scratching habits and help curb them by getting your dog plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, as well as a comfortable bed like our Original Bully Bed Orthopedic Dog Bed and sleeping area that will make them less agitated and less likely to scratch. For aggressive scratchers, try a durable bed like our Chew Proof Dog Bed (with a 200 Day Guarantee). And if your dog is acting overly aggressive or anxious, or you're worried about their scratching combined with other symptoms, don't hesitate to contact your vet.
