Boredom vs. Anxiety: How to Tell What’s Driving Your Dog’s Chewing

Your dog is chewing something they shouldn’t. The solution might be completely different depending on why they’re doing it — and the two most common culprits, boredom and anxiety, require different approaches. Here’s how to tell them apart.

Signs Your Dog Is Chewing Out of Boredom

• The chewing happens when you’re home, not just when you’re away
• They chew indiscriminately — anything nearby
• They stop chewing when you engage them in play or go outside
• The behavior increases on rainy days or days with less activity

Signs Your Dog Is Chewing Out of Anxiety

• Chewing is most intense when you’re absent or about to leave
• They target specific objects associated with you (your clothes, your shoes, items near the door)
• The behavior is accompanied by other anxiety signs: pacing, whining, barking, panting, or house soiling
• They can’t settle when given a chew — they drop it and continue pacing

The Overlap Zone

Many dogs have both. Boredom compounds anxiety, and anxious dogs often find chewing more compulsive than purposeful. In these cases, both mental stimulation and anxiety management are needed simultaneously.

Addressing Each

For boredom: increase daily exercise and enrichment. Longer walks, puzzle feeders, and regular long-lasting chew sessions are the core solution.

For anxiety: consult your vet about behavioral interventions, consider calming supplements, and use long-lasting chews as a departure ritual to create a positive association with alone time.

Whichever the cause, having quality natural chews available is part of the answer. Shop at supercanwholesale.com — delivered in 48 hours from Miami to all U.S. states.