Chewing, digging, jumping
How do I stop my dog chewing bedding and pillows?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Bedding and pillows combine your scent with a soft, satisfying texture, making them a common target during boredom or separation from you specifically. Keep bedroom doors closed when unsupervised, offer a scented alternative like an old t shirt tied in a knot, and treat swallowed stuffing as a genuine health risk.
Why bedding specifically appeals
Sheets and pillows carry a strong, familiar scent from whoever sleeps there, and the soft give of the fabric is genuinely pleasant to chew, a combination that makes bedding more tempting to some dogs than plainer household objects.
Limiting access
Closing bedroom doors during unsupervised time, or using a baby gate, is the simplest fix, since a dog cannot develop the habit further without repeated opportunity to practice it on real bedding.
Offering a scented substitute
An old t shirt or pillowcase, knotted and given as a designated chew item, carries a similar comforting scent without the risk of losing an entire duvet, and can satisfy the same craving for something that smells like you.
Key takeaways
- Bedding combines a familiar scent with a satisfying texture, making it an appealing target.
- Closing bedroom doors during unsupervised time removes the opportunity entirely.
- A knotted old t shirt offers a similar scented comfort without risking real bedding.