Does it seem like your Pug chews everything in sight? If you’ve ever wondered “why does my pug like to chew plastic bottles” even though they have a ton of toys, you’re in the right place. We’re going to look at this behavior and what you can do to keep them safe.
Why Does My Pug Like To Chew Plastic Bottles?
There are several reasons that dogs love to chew plastic bottles, but the most common reasons are the crunching noise, frustration, teething, boredom, or attention-seeking behaviors.
Other dogs see it as a toy because it can be tossed easily around the room.
Puppies tend to chew more than adult or senior dogs, especially when they are teething. However, chewing is a normal, natural canine behavior, as it stimulates them and helps sharpen their teeth.
The great thing is that most dogs will outgrow compulsive chewing problems, as well as other canine behavioral problems.
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Is It Safe For Pugs To Chew On Plastic?
According to PetCoach, a bottle cap will either pass through a canine or can get stuck and cause an obstruction. If your four-legged friend does eat a bottle cap or plastic, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
If your Pug punctures holes in the bottle, take it away from them. The sharp edges can cause their teeth and gums to bleed. Harder plastics can cause your dog’s teeth to chip or even break.
Small pieces of plastic can also break off and may become toxic to your pooch. Ingested pieces of plastic can be harmful to their digestive system and painful when defecated or thrown up.
NEVER let them chew on plastic bottles when you’re not around.
Should I Let My Dog Chew Plastic?
Plastic bottles can be a great way to entertain your pooch, but it’s important to make sure you keep them safe. Always remove the top of the lid, as it can pose a choking hazard if it comes unscrewed and falls off.
While removing the cap doesn’t necessarily make it safe, it does remove the possibility of them accidentally swallowing the lid and choking on it.
How Can I Get My Pug To Stop Chewing Plastic?
Getting your dog to stop chewing on plastic can be challenging, especially if they love it. However, this behavior can be detrimental to their health and can lead to compulsive behaviors.
If you’re trying to stop this behavior issue humanely, then make sure you never yell, spank, or muzzle them.
They won’t understand what they did wrong and will only become scared of you, and continue with the unwanted behavior.
With patience and persistence, you can stop your Pug from chewing plastic.
But first, you should talk to your veterinarian and have your pooch checked to make sure that they don’t suffer from pica.
Pica is a condition that causes dogs to crave non-food items, such as plastic, metal, garbage, dirt, rocks, paper, or even cloth.
Once you’ve ruled out that your Pug is not dealing with Pica, you can follow some of these tips to get them to stop.
Give Him Plenty Of Exercise
Dogs chew out of boredom and pent up energy. Exercise is important for dogs because it prevents compulsive chewing and other destructive behaviors.
Even though this breed is considered a lap dog and doesn’t require a lot of exercise, you should make sure they are getting enough.
If your Pug is getting the proper amount of exercise, they will be too tired to chew things or get into trouble.
Exercise also produces endorphins that will help calm your pet.
Use Bad Tasting Repellents and Sprays
Another way to get your Pug to stop chewing plastic is to spray it with an anti-chew spray. There are several on the market you can purchase or you can make your own out of apple cider vinegar.
You’ll want to make sure that you spray the entire bottle. Your dog will most likely hate the way it tastes and will leave the bottle alone.
You may have to spray the bottle more than once, but eventually, they will leave it alone and go looking for a different toy.
This type of training works because your dog will associate it without something unpleasant and will make the decision not to repeat the behavior.
Pick Up All The Plastic Bottles
Out of sight out of mind works for both humans and dogs. Make sure you don’t leave any empty water bottles around that will tempt your pooch.
If you use a recycle bin, make sure it has a lid so your dog can’t get to them.
Give Them A Chew Toy Or Bone
If your Pug starts chewing a plastic bottle or something inappropriately, interrupt their behavior and re-direct it to a chew toy or doggie bone instead.
It may be wise to have a Kong Toy in the freezer, especially, if you have a puppy that is teething.
You should have several dog toys available and close at hand that you can use to re-direct their behavior.
Hire A Trainer
Most people will be able to stop this compulsive behavior without having to hire a trainer.
However, if you have a very stubborn Pug, you may have to hire someone to help you get rid of the problem humanely.
Safer Alternatives
Just because your dog wants to do something doesn’t mean you should let them, especially, if you know they can get hurt.
It can be hard to tell them NO, they can’t play with the plastic bottle, especially, if you’ve let them do it before.
Here are some safer alternatives you can give to your pooch instead of letting them play with a plastic water bottle.
Dog Water Bottle Toys
If your Pug loves chewing plastic bottles, you may want to consider buying some of these dog water bowl toys as they are not very expensive and will keep your pooch entertained.
Those water bottle toys make the same crackling noise that dogs love. Once your dog realizes that, you should be able to pick up the old water bottle and place it in the recycle bin.
Use A Sock
This may seem obvious, but if your pooch loves chewing on plastic bottles, then just slip it inside of an old sock and tie off the end.
Now you have a free dog toy that your Pug absolutely loves. The best part is that its free ad will last longer than those fancy plush squeaky toys that only last about a week or so.
Get Some Chew Toys
Some dogs love to chew and if your Pug is one of those, then you’ll want to invest in some toys that are designed for chewing.
Some of the most popular chew toys are Kong toys for dogs and edible toys such as Nylabones, rawhide, or pig ears.
Related Questions
Can Eating Plastic Kill A Dog? Yes, it can and if your dog eats any amount of plastic, you should call your veterinarian immediately.
Final Word On Pugs Chewing Plastic
Plastic can be extremely dangerous for dogs, especially, if ingested. If you are going to let your dog play with empty water bottles, always keep an eye on them to keep them safe.
I recommend looking at the safer alternatives that won’t cause any harm to your pooch.
References And Further Reading
PetMD – What Causes Pica In Dogs