Chew on This: How Your Dog’s Biting Habits Hint at Health, Stress, and Dental Wellness

Whether it’s gnawing on a toy or nibbling at the furniture, your dog’s chewing habits speak volumes about their physical and emotional state. At Queva Pets, we know that understanding your dog's behavior is key to raising a happy and healthy pup. In this blog post, we’ll explore how biting isn’t just a simple habit—it can offer clues into health, dental wellness, and even stress levels.

Health Indicators: What Chewing Might Say About Your Pup

Dogs rely on chewing to communicate discomfort or changes in their physical state. Excessive or sudden chewing may signal:

• Teething pain in puppies
• Dental disease or gum irritation in older dogs
• Nutritional deficiencies or digestive upset

If your dog starts chewing more than usual, it’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian to rule out underlying conditions.

Behavioral Clues: Stress and Anxiety in Biting

Just like humans, dogs can chew as a coping mechanism for stress. Behavioral chewing tends to include:

• Separation anxiety – Chewing items when left alone
• Boredom or under-stimulation
• Environmental changes, such as a move or new pet in the home

Pay attention to behavior triggers and consider comfort items or enrichment toys to reduce anxiety.

Dental Wellness: Chewing Done Right

Not all chewing is negative—appropriate chewing helps clean your dog’s teeth! Safe chewing can:

• Scrape away plaque and prevent tartar
• Strengthen jaw muscles
• Keep your dog mentally stimulated

Encourage healthy chewing by offering dental-safe toys and treats designed for oral health.

Training Tips: Steering Chewing Habits

Guiding your dog’s biting behavior takes patience and consistency. Try these training strategies:

• Redirect to acceptable chew toys when inappropriate chewing starts
• Use commands like “leave it” or “drop it”
• Reward positive choices with praise or a treat

Training not only protects your belongings—it helps reinforce healthy mental habits in your pup.

Monitor Activity to Improve Behavior

Dogs that are bored or under-exercised tend to develop destructive chewing problems. Ensuring your pup stays active can reduce behavioral issues and improve overall health.

At Queva Pets, our smart tracking device helps you stay on top of your dog’s physical health and habits:

• Activity tracking (walk, run, light, intense)
• GPS tracking to monitor location and safety
• Health score insights to support well-being

Stay proactive in managing your dog’s needs—explore the Queva™ Smart Tracker today.