Also called · chewing furniture · separation anxiety · boredom
What it looks like
- Destroys things when left alone
- Chews furniture and walls
- Cannot settle, paces constantly
Why it happens
An environment where drives cannot be expressed
Keeping an animal where it cannot fully express its natural behaviour creates the stress of boredom and frustration, and is a predisposing factor for every problem behaviour.
On a diet, expect more of it
In a four-month study of 39 dogs at different levels of calorie restriction, the mildly restricted group rested less after meals, was slightly more active over the day, and tended toward more destructive behaviour. The heavily restricted group, by contrast, reduced activity itself. (Crowell-Davis et al., Appl Anim Behav Sci 43:27-41, 1995)
Eating takes no time
In a home, eating is effortless and over quickly, so the drives to search and to hunt go unmet.
What to do
Have something to chew ready
On mild calorie restriction, destructive behaviour is to be expected, so the guidance is to create an outlet such as chew toys.
Stretch mealtimes with food toys
Toys that release food when rolled or pulled make eating take time and give something close to the satisfaction of play.
Control the pace of the diet
Extreme restriction lowers activity, so weight comes off more slowly rather than faster. Go gently, and design an outlet in alongside it.
Watch out for
In the same study the mildly restricted group showed no increase in aggression and no coprophagia. Only destructive behaviour tended to rise.
See a vet if
Severe destruction only when alone, with soiling and panting (rule out separation anxiety)
Something may have been swallowed
Common questions
It helps, but working the nose and the head — scent work, food toys — is more effective than simply tiring the body out.
Related behaviors
Was this useful?
General behaviour and nutrition information. It does not replace diagnosis or prescription. Similar behaviour does not always have the same cause, and the cause is not necessarily diet or environment — have a vet rule out illness first, and consult a behaviour specialist where needed.