Why does my dog suck on a blanket? Heres what experts are saying about it!

So, I’ve got this dog, right? A real sweetheart, but there’s this one quirky thing he does that had me scratching my head. He loves to suck on blankets. Not chew, but really just suckle on them like a baby with a pacifier. It was a bit odd, but I figured, hey, dogs do weird stuff, right?

At first, I did not pay too much attention. I just let him be. Then I started looking into it. Turns out, it’s not that uncommon. Puppies are born with this instinct to suckle, you know, from their moms. It’s like a natural thing for them. But my dog, he’s not a puppy anymore, so I got a little curious.

I noticed he did it mostly when he was chilling out, getting ready for a nap, or sometimes when he seemed a bit stressed. I started to think maybe it’s a comfort thing for him. Like, it makes him feel safe and relaxed.

Digging Deeper

• Observation Time: I started paying more attention to when he did it. Was it after a long walk? When I left the house? Before bedtime? I wanted to see if there was a pattern.
• What’s the Trigger?: Sometimes, he would just start sucking on his blanket out of the blue. Other times, it was clear he was winding down for sleep. I guess it could also be a bit of boredom, just something to do.

Then I wondered, is this even okay? Should I stop him? I mean, he’s not hurting anyone, but what if he swallows some fabric or something? I read somewhere that too much sucking could mess with their teeth or even give them tummy troubles. But mostly, it said it’s harmless, just a way for dogs to self-soothe.

I did try to distract him sometimes, give him a toy or something. Sometimes it worked, sometimes he went straight back to his blanket. I figured if it’s not hurting him, and it seems to make him happy, maybe it’s not such a big deal. It’s kind of become his thing, his way of relaxing. Dogs, am I right? They’re full of surprises.

So, I’m keeping an eye on it, making sure he’s not going overboard. But for now, it’s just one of those things that make him, well, him. It’s all part of having a dog, figuring out their little quirks and making sure they’re happy and healthy.

I just try to give him some toys, and take more walks with him. That can give him some different ways to chill out.

Honestly, it’s all about figuring out what works for your dog. I keep paying attention to his habits. I guess that’s the main thing. Be a good dog parent and keep them happy and healthy.