“Oh, come on now!” Your dog chewed up your credit cards again! Why in the world does your dog chew up your debit cards and credit cards? What’s causing them to do this, and is it safe? Can dogs eat credit cards without getting hurt? How do you fix a chewed credit card or get it replaced?

Today, we’re going to give you all the answers you need for this frustrating problem. Even better, we’re going to tell you how to stop your dog chewing up your credit cards once and for all. Soon, this aggravation will all be behind you. Keep reading below for our article “My Dog Chewed Up My Credit Cards.”

How to Stop Dog Chewing on Credit Cards

To stop dog chewing on credit cards, immediately give a calm but firm “no” or “stop” if you catch them in the act or sniffing around them. Do not yell, clap, or get angry as your dog is doing this out of anxiety, and those reactions will only make their problem worse. Next, place them into a time-out in their crate or a closed-off room with no toys for 10 minutes.

Let them out, then redirect them to a proper outlet, like a quiet chew toy. If they take it, immediately reward them with pets, praise, and a small treat. Moving forward, you should take more care to keep your cards stored where your dog can’t get to them even when you’re not around, like in a drawer.

You can dissuade your dog from chewing on credit cards and debit cards by making a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply this mixture to a cloth, then dab it around your credit cards. While your chip and magnetic strip should be fine to touch with the mix, it’s not necessary to cover the entire card so you should only stick to the unimportant plastic areas.

The smell will go away after about an hour once the mixture has dried on your cards, but just those few small dabs will be enough to deter your dog and keep them away from your cards. It’s important to note, however, that your dog’s underlying issue will still remain so they’re just going to start looking for something else of yours to chew on.

To properly address this problem at its root and end your dog’s destructive chewing altogether, we should first talk about what makes them tick. You’ve probably heard before that dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader.

But when your dog gets anxious and then responds by chewing up your credit cards and other items, they are clearly showing that they don’t trust you in this role.

If they did, they wouldn’t get anxious or stressed out, even when you’re not home. They wouldn’t chew up your credit cards, debit cards, or any other important items of yours. They would only chew on the things which they’re allowed, like their toys. They would end any other anxiety-related misbehavior they’re currently engaging in.

And most importantly, they would obey your commands at all times, and do so happily.

You’ll win because you’ll no longer have to worry about what items of yours you’re going to find chewed up, destroyed, or covered in slobber. But your dog wins too because you’ll have freed them of all the stress and anxiety which they’re currently lugging around 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

So that’s all pretty great, right?

“Yeah, of course, but how am I supposed to do this?”

You should watch an excellent free video series which is on this exact subject — how to be your dog’s pack leader — by a renowned trainer named Dan. In his series, he explains everything in ways that are very easy to understand and teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so that you’ll start seeing these crucial changes in your dog before their problem gets any worse.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And no, you’re not going to have to yell or be mean to your four-legged little buddy. Dan never uses those types of methods. Not just because loving teaching techniques are the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

Why Did My Dog Chew Up My Credit Cards?

Your dog chewed up your credit cards because they’re experiencing anxiety, and the act of chewing releases endorphins that soothe them. Your credit cards are particularly attractive to them because they smell like you (which also comforts them), and many dogs enjoy gnawing, nipping, and biting on plastic.

It’s also possible, though not as likely, that your dog is simply bored and wants to have some fun, or that they’re teething and trying to ease their pain (if they’re still under six months old).

You should not allow your dog to chew on your credit cards or debit cards because in addition to the anxiety you’d allow to be continuing, there are also significant health risks (which we’ll cover in the next section). Do not give your dog old credit cards or anything similar to chew on thinking that it will placate them. Dogs should only chew on toys specifically made for them.

A dog that has been given the impression that they can chew on whatever they want will soon be seeking out more objects of yours. You’ll find your dog is chewing up purses, chewing up keychains, and even going after clothing items, like chewing on suit jackets.

To stop your dog from chewing up your credit cards and other expensive, much-needed items, go back to the first section now where we’ll give you the exact steps to follow.

Can Dogs Eat Credit Cards?

Dogs cannot eat credit cards. They can easily break your credit cards or debit cards into small little pieces. Credit cards are not digestible for dogs, and if your dog swallows these slivers, they can become lodged in your dog’s intestines causing painful dangerous blockages.

You need to take action right away if you catch your dog chewing on your debit cards, credit cards, licenses, ID badges, access cards, or anything similar. All represent similar dangers to your dog but will be treated and prevented in the same manner. Go back to the first section now where we’ll cover that.

How Do You Fix a Chewed Credit Card?

To fix a chewed credit card, first determine if there’s any damage to the magnetic strip. If this area is simply bent, you can fix it with an iron, a cutting board, and a paper bag. Warm the iron on a low and dry setting (about level 2). Place your card with the numbers facing down inside the bag.

Lay the bag with the card inside on the cutting board. The numbers should still be facing down. Iron back and forth over your card, doing your best to focus where the magnetic strip is, for about 30 seconds. Your card should now be flat, but you may need to repeat this a few times if not.

Most dogs, though, will do too much damage when chewing a credit card or debit card for it to be fixable. Contact your bank or credit card provider right away through your app or their website. They should make it very easy to request a replacement at no charge to you. They want you to continue spending, so they’ll normally have a new card to you in less than a week.

I’m sure you’re ready to quit finding your credit cards and other important things chewed up, so I’ll let you get started on things now. Good luck, and thank you for reading our article “My Dog Chewed Up My Credit Cards.”