You’ve come home after a long day at work – and what do you see? Shredded pieces of toilet paper everywhere! Whether it’s toilet paper, Kleenex, facial tissues or paper towels – this is probably a common scenario for dog owners across the world. Worse yet, your dog may have eaten some of the paper! Here, we will go through seven reasons why dogs eat toilet paper.
1. Because they are bored
When puppies or dogs are bored, they will look for something to do – anything to do! And this includes tearing up and eating a roll of toilet paper. Just like humans doodling on their notepads in a boring school class, dogs will do anything to pass the time.
2. Because they are anxious
Your pet pooch could be suffering from anxiety, and eating or shredding paper may be one of its coping mechanisms. Eating, chewing or ripping toilet paper may be soothing for the dog. Dogs can be anxious due to separation from their owners (a.k.a. separation anxiety). Their environment can also cause anxiety, such as the presence of other animals or loud noises.
3. Because they are curious
Dogs are curious creatures, and may be eating your tissue paper just to see what it tastes like. Unfortunately some dog breeds, such as the Labrador, will tend to eat anything!
4. Because they are lacking in nutrients
If your pet is lacking in certain nutrients, then they may be eating toilet paper to make up for what is missing. A shortfall of vitamins and minerals may encourage dogs to eat anything and everything. Additionally, if your dog isn’t getting enough calories, it may be eating tissue to satisfy hunger or cravings. Sometimes this is also why they eat poop!
5. Because they are teething
Just like humans, puppies go through a process of teething as well. If your dog is teething then chewing on items may help it to relieve the pain. Usually puppies go through teething from three to six weeks of age.
6. Because they like the taste
Dogs are strange (and to be honest, humans are too!). Your dog may actually like the taste of paper – whether it is toilet paper, tissue paper, or paper towels. How the paper is processed and the chemicals used may give the paper a special taste which your pooch has taken a liking to.
7. Because of Pica
Pica is a medical condition for dogs, whereby dogs crave and eat non-food items. Pica can be limited to one thing (such as toilet paper) or many things, such as socks and towels. Pica can actually be caused by nutritional deficiency or behavioral issues such as boredom or anxiety. Certain breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, can also be more susceptible to Pica.
How to stop dogs eating toilet paper?
- Keep the toilet paper, tissue paper or paper towels out of reach from your dog. This can include closing bathroom doors or placing tissue boxes and paper towels away from the ground and in cupboards.
- Train your dog. Teaching your dog to follow commands like “drop it” or “leave it” can be helpful when you find them with a roll of toilet paper in their mouths.
- Check your dog’s diet to ensure they are getting enough nutrients and calories. You should review what you’re feeding your dog to ensure they are getting everything they need. What are you feeding them, and is it appropriate for your dog’s size and age? You may need to consult a veterinary professional to help you with this.
- Provide physical and mental stimulation for your dog. Ensure you are taking your dog out for enough walks and exercise. Provide toys that they can play with. Or, keep them occupied with a raw dog bone.
- Find out if your dog is suffering separation anxiety or any other behavioral issues. A veterinarian will be able to walk you through the process of identifying and treating any behavioral issues.
What to do if your dog has eaten toilet paper?
- Remove any remaining toilet paper from your dog’s mouth, and place any toilet paper rolls out of reach from your pet.
- Find out how much toilet paper your dog has eaten. If your toilet roll was full before, and is now half empty with no shreds of it laying around, then chances are your dog has eaten a good amount. If your dog has only eaten a small amount, however, then it will likely be fine.
- Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can – this is especially important if there is evidence your dog has eaten a lot. Your vet can perform an examination to see if there are any bowel obstructions present. Your vet can also provide further advice on how to treat your dog.
