If Your Dog Is Sucking on Blankets, These Are the Reasons

Written by Amber LaRock
Updated: September 4, 2023
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Quick Answers:

  • Not all dogs suck on blankets as a way of coping, but it’s a completely natural behavior.
  • If puppies are weened too early, suckling is more common.
  • Teething is also a common reason for suckling on blankets.

Many of us rely on coping mechanisms to bring us comfort in times of distress. Some of these habits will even become a part of our standard routine, as they seem to offer us security.

Our dogs can adopt these same habits as well, and blanket sucking is a common comfort-seeking behavior they turn to. If your dog is always sucking on a blanket, you may wonder what the underlying cause of this behavior could be.

We want to help you better understand your blanket-loving canine friend, so we break down the most common causes of this behavior below.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Suck on Blankets?

An anxious looking brown and black dog wrapped in an orange blanket

Not every dog uses blanket-sucking as a coping mechanism, but it is a completely natural behavior.

©Lindsay Helms/Shutterstock.com

If your pup always turns to a favorite blanket for comfort, you may wonder if this is normal.

While not all dogs will rely on a coping mechanism to help them relax, blanket sucking is fairly common in the dog world. Many dogs will suck on their comfort blanket each night before they go to sleep, with some dogs even carrying around their favorite blanket throughout the day.

There is nothing abnormal about this behavior, but there is usually an underlying factor behind it. To make sure you understand your canine family member’s habits, we answer each of your blanket-sucking questions below.

Suckling Is a Natural Behavior for Dogs

It’s important to realize that suckling is a natural behavior for our canine companions. For dogs, suckling is as natural as barking, and it is something they do from the moment of birth.

Dogs are born with an instinct to suckle on their mother’s teats to consume her milk, so not only is this a way to receive nourishment, but it also becomes a soothing act that brings them joy.

If the mothers did not eventually push their puppies away as they grew older, many puppies would continue to participate in the nursing behavior. Due to the joy that suckling brings a dog during puppyhood, many will associate this behavior with comfort and happiness.

This can lead to suckling on blankets, toys, and any other item that is accessible when he needs comfort.

Why Is My Dog Sucking on Blankets?

Now that you are aware of how natural of a behavior suckling is in dogs, let’s break down the most common reasons why your dog is always sucking on blankets. Reasons range from aiding sleep to missing the comfort of a mother.

Let’s dive in!

Puppies nursing from their mother.

Your dog might suck on blankets because it reminds them of their mother.

©olgagorovenko/Shutterstock.com

She is Missing the Comfort of Her Mother

If your puppy has been recently separated from her mother, this could lead her to search for comfort in other ways.

Sucking on a blanket might remind your puppy of nursing on her mother, which in turn helps to soothe her as she adjusts to being an independent pup. Some puppies will outgrow this habit as they become more comfortable in their new home, but some will bring this habit into adulthood.

He is Teething

Does it seem like your puppy is chewing on everything from his blanket to your fingers? If so, this could be a sign that he is teething. A teething puppy will experience discomfort when adult teeth are growing in, causing him to chew on everything in search of relief.

During this time, you will want to offer him as many appropriate outlets as possible for chewing, as this will help him find relief. Puppies tend to naturally outgrow their teething discomfort at around six months of age.

It Is Her Comfort Item

Similar to a child walking around with a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, your dog can have a comfort blanket as well. Some dogs will just suckle on this blanket as they are falling asleep, while others will carry it around in their mouths throughout the day. As long as your dog does not become possessive or aggressive over her comfort blanket, this is typically a harmless behavior.

It Helps Him Fall Asleep

Oftentimes puppies will suckle on their mother’s teats until they fall asleep. Some puppies will adopt this behavior even after they leave their mothers, leading them to seek out objects to suckle on when it is time to rest. Many of these pups will end up sucking on a blanket as they try to fall asleep each night, and this will help soothe them into slumber.

It Soothes Her Anxiety or Fear

If it seems like your dog only sucks on a blanket when she is anxious or nervous, this might be a coping mechanism for her. Similar to humans biting their nails when they are overwhelmed, our pups may turn to their favorite blanket when they are struggling. Dogs can experience anxiety due to the absence of their owners, loud events like storms or fireworks shows, or even a new person or animal being in the home.

It Has Become a Comforting Habit

If it seems like your dog sucks on a blanket each time he winds down, this may have just become a soothing habit for your dog. This is comparable to a person reading a book during downtime, or even writing in a journal at the end of the day. Sucking on a blanket can be your dog’s way of self-soothing or relaxing.

Is Blanket Sucking Bad for Dogs?

Blanket sucking in dogs is not bad for them as long as this does not turn into a compulsive habit. If this is an occasional habit used to fall asleep or self-soothe during stressful occasions, then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. However, if it seems like blanket sucking turns into a compulsion that your dog cannot stay away from, it is likely time to intervene.

Signs your dog may have developed an obsessive compulsion to blanket sucking include carrying the blanket around at all times, guarding the blanket, or becoming distressed when she cannot find her blanket. If this is the case for your canine friend, it might be time to start the process of ending her blanket-sucking habit.

How Do I Stop My Dog’s Blanket Sucking?

Most dogs with a blanket-sucking compulsion have an underlying issue leading to their compulsion. These compulsions are usually fueled by stress and anxiety, or the inability to release pent-up stress appropriately. We list a few of the most effective methods of putting an end to your dog’s compulsive blanket suckling.

Golden Retriever puppy chewing on a toy

If your dog’s blanket-sucking behaviors are becoming compulsive, try giving him a safe toy to suck.

©iStock.com/Photology1971

Determine The Stress Trigger:

Many dogs with an obsessive blanket-sucking habit will turn to this behavior when they are stressed.

To get to the root of this behavior, it’s up to us to determine the stress trigger.

We encourage you to examine the environment each time your dog turns to the blanket for relief and try your best to either limit this stressor in your home or offer appropriate outlets for chewing behavior.

For example, if your dog begins to suck his blanket obsessively when it storms, we suggest playing soothing music to help drown out the thunder, playing with your pup to help distract him, or any other method that seems to bring your pup relief.

Offer Plenty of Stimulation:

Many dogs will experience exacerbated stress and anxiety when they are not getting enough mental or physical exercise each day. We suggest offering your pup a minimum of 20 minutes of physical exercise each day (more if she is an active breed) and keeping her entertained with mentally stimulating toys or training.

Give Plenty of Chewing Options:

If your pup is an obsessive blanket chewer, this means that the act of chewing helps to bring him comfort. Offering plenty of chewing toys can help to steer him away from the blanket and focus on a more acceptable chewing outlet.

Seek Veterinary Help When Needed:

If your dog’s blanket sucking has gotten out of hand and you are unable to address the compulsive behaviors at home, it might be time to enlist the help of your veterinarian.

Some dogs need the guidance of a veterinary or behavioral professional, and some even need the help of prescription medications to limit compulsions. If you are struggling to get ahead of compulsive blanket-sucking, it is likely time to get professional help.

Final Thoughts

Blanket sucking in dogs is typically a harmless behavior that offers soothing comfort. Just be sure to keep an eye out for any signs of compulsive behaviors in your canine friend, and to reach out to your vet if you ever need guidance on how to address the issue.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Prystai/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Amber LaRock is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering topics surrounding pet health and behavior. Amber is a Licensed Veterinary Technician with 12 years of experience in the field, and she holds a degree in veterinary technology that she earned in 2015. A resident of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Amber enjoys volunteering with animal rescues, reading, and taking care of her two cats.

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