If you’ve ever walked into the bathroom only to find your bath mat in shreds, you’re not alone. Our article, “Dog Chewed Bath Mat? What to Do + How to Stop It!” offers guidance on how to stop your dog from chewing bath mats, as well as explaining why dogs might be attracted to these household items in the first place.

Furthermore, we’ll cover the safety concerns surrounding your dog and bath mats and whether your puppy will grow out of chewing on them. Keep your bath mats intact and your dog safe with these helpful tips below!

How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Bath Mats

To stop dog chewing your bath mat:

1. Keep bath mats hung up or as inaccessible as possible.
2. Keep the door to your bathroom closed at all times.
3. Be sure your dog can always find a safe outlet for chewing such as a toy that can keep them busy.
4. Spray a deterrent, like a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar onto the bath mat.
5. The vinegar smell will be gone after about 1 hour, but your dog will continue to be repelled.
6. Give a calm, firm “no” or “stop” right away when you catch your dog is chewing the bath mat once again.
7. Don’t scream or get upset, because if they’re acting like this due to anxiety (which is very probable), this will only make their difficulties worse.
8. Put them in a quick time-out in a closed-off room or their crate for roughly 10 minutes.
9. If you observe your dog starting to go towards the bath mat, point their attention to a toy.
10. Give them pets, a treat, and praise when they pick their toy rather than chewing on the bath mat.
11. Ensure that everyone else in the home is also going by these steps.
12. Remain consistent and patient.

This should stop your dog from chewing bath mats, but you’ll still need to address the underlying issue which was causing all of this in the first place (usually anxiety). If you ignore that, your dog will continue to suffer, and you’ll find that they’ll keep misbehaving in other related ways.

And for us to properly go over that, we must first talk about what makes dogs tick deep down. You’ve likely heard before that all dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader.

But when your dog chews bath mats, they are clearly proving to you that they don’t trust you in this leadership role.

If they did, they wouldn’t continue chewing up your bath mat even after you’ve told them to quit it many times. They wouldn’t display any other types of misbehavior or disrespect. And they would obey your commands as soon as they’re given, and they would do so happily.

Show your dog that you are not just their pack leader, but a capable, deserving one who must be respected, and you’ll make all of these great things a reality.

Obviously, you’ll win. But your dog will be the even bigger winner here because you’ll have freed them from all of the confusion and worry that their behavior issues are currently placing on their little shoulders 24/7.

Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

“Absolutely, sure, but how am I supposed to do this?”

You should watch a fantastic free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this very subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In Dan’s series, he explains all you’ll need to know in ways that are very easy to follow and teach to your own dog, and he gets immediately to the point so that you can start seeing these crucial changes in your dog in no time.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t stress, because no, you’re not going to have to yell or be mean to your dog. Dan uses only 100% humane and loving teaching methods at all times. Not just because they’re the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

Why Do Dogs Chew on Bath Mats?

Dogs chew on bath mats primarily because of anxiety or boredom. Anxiety can be triggered by various factors, such as separation from their owner, loud noises, or changes in their environment. When dogs feel anxious, they may resort to chewing on objects like bath mats as a way to cope with their stress.

Boredom can also lead to destructive behaviors like chewing. If your dog isn’t getting enough mental stimulation or exercise, they may turn to chewing on bath mats for entertainment.

Another reason dogs might chew on bath mats is teething. For puppies, chewing on objects helps alleviate the discomfort associated with this painful time. As their new teeth come in, puppies find it soothing to gnaw on items like bath mats. However, it’s important to address this chewing behavior immediately to prevent it from becoming a habit.

Keeping the bathroom door shut or placing your bath mat somewhere your dog can’t reach it when not in use are good first steps, but it’s important to remember that these won’t tackle the underlying issue. Your dog will simply find other things to chew on destructively to ease their problem.

Your dog might chew your slippers, chew your shower curtain, chew your blankets, chew your bathrobe, or even chew your socks. Almost anything accessible can become a tempting target, so I’m sure you can see why it’s important to handle this immediately. To learn the exact steps to achieve that, go back to the first section of this article now.

Are Bath Mats Safe for Dogs to Chew On?

Bath mats are not safe for dogs to chew on. Chewing on bath mats poses several risks to your dog’s health. First, the materials used in bath mats can be harmful if ingested. Small pieces of fabric or rubber can become lodged in your dog’s digestive tract, leading to blockages that require veterinary intervention. In addition, some bath mats have chemicals or dyes that could be toxic to your dog if consumed.

Another concern is the potential for dental damage. Chewing on hard or abrasive materials can lead to broken teeth or other dental issues. Regularly monitoring your dog and providing appropriate chew toys can help prevent these problems and ensure their safety.

Will My Puppy Grow Out of Chewing on Bath Mats?

While puppies will grow out of teething, it’s essential to address the chewing behavior immediately. Even though the teething phase will eventually pass, it’s important to not let it become a learned behavior now as they will still find it pleasurable and soothing even as an adult. To prevent this habit from forming, provide your puppy with appropriate chew toys and engage them in stimulating activities.

It’s also crucial to address any other possible causes of chewing, such as anxiety or boredom that can be present even with teething puppies. Ensuring your dog has a consistent routine, plenty of exercise, and mental stimulation can help alleviate these issues. Additionally, training and positive reinforcement can teach your dog to focus on appropriate chewing outlets, rather than your bath mat.

You should now know everything you need to handle your dog’s chewing on bath mats, so I’ll let you get started. Good luck with everything, and thank you for reading our article “Dog Chewed Bath Mat? What to Do + How to Stop It!”