Why Does My Dog Scratch The Floor So Much

Anxiety at night is a possible reason as to why your dog continues to scratch your floors.

Why does my dog scratch the floor so much.

Before domestication and in the wild now dogs will scratch out a space to sleep in the ground which helps retain warmth. Domesticated dogs which scratch the floor prior to lying down might do the act due to an instinct that scratching could lead to a safer and softer resting place. This isn t alarming and it s a very natural thing for dogs to do as you ve probably already noticed when your pet is outside. Often accopanied by walking around in circles a few times before laying.

Another common issue is that at night you are asleep and not paying the dog attention and they may feel less safe. Seek a professional opinion sooner rather than later before the dog damages their skin and creates complications. Allergies are very common in dogs notes dr. The odor lets other dogs know that they need to keep moving because the scented spot has already been claimed.

Avoiding something or another behavior displacement. When this scent is released it serves as a means for your dog to claim their territory. However in the wild dogs would scratch the ground in order to create a temperature controlled and comfortable sleeping spots. Some people s speculations about the reasons for the behavior included.

The most simple reasoning behind this scratching behavior is entertainment. When a dog scratches at the floor he is claiming that spot as his own. You may notice bald spots and your dog may. The bottom of a dog s paws has special glands that release a territorial scent onto the floor when the dog scratches.

A vet is best able to track down the problem. The most common triggers for excessive scratching in dogs are parasites or allergies. If you rearranged the room or house lately this could cause the anxiety that leads to scratching. A small crumb on the floor or even a new smell of the detergent can be the reason that causes scratching.

If your dog s body is not producing enough thyroid hormone or putting out too much of the hormone cortisol superficial skin infections can occur. Whether it s the pollen in the air or the kind of dog food they re consuming one reason your dog might be scratching is because they re having an allergic reaction to something. The trick to stop dog scratching is to pinpoint the driving force. I recently read a discussion on facebook about the meaning of this dog behavior.