If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably experienced the following scenario at least once. You leave your sweet canine companion home alone for a few hours and you return to find a book, a roll of toilet paper, some newspaper, or maybe even your homework torn up and scattered on the floor. It’s not uncommon for dogs to shred paper, but what drives this behavior?
Some dogs shred paper simply because it’s fun or they like the sensation of tearing something up with their mouth. Others may resort to this behavior when feeling bored, anxious, or stressed. Certain breeds, like golden retrievers and boxers, are more prone to tearing up paper than others.
This destructive behavior not only results in a mess, but it can also be dangerous for your dog. Ingesting a large amount of paper can cause an intestinal blockage, resulting in a stressful and expensive emergency veterinary visit. To prevent this situation, it’s obviously a good idea to avoid leaving paper in your dog’s reach while you’re away from home. Also, be sure your dog has access to plenty of toys when left alone. If an underlying condition is to blame, like separation anxiety, it will likely need to be addressed before the behavior is curbed.