Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Why do dogs dig into their bed? An annoying behavior, explained

This dog behavior is common, but can be cause for concern

By
a tan dog lying on a white couch
Dominika Roseclay / Pexels

You hoped your dog “dug” their bed when you spent hours researching the top brands with the comfiest products. Maybe your pooch took to their bed immediately — success. Alternatively, perhaps they decided your bed was a better fit, and you chose to roll with the choice. Regardless of which option you two settled on, you may notice your pet has an interesting bedtime and naptime routine: digging into their beds.

The digging is usually accompanied by some walking around in circles, nosing at the bed or any blankets, and repeating until they finally settle down and enjoy some sweet slumber. Why do dogs dig on the bed, though?

Recommended Videos

The behavior is typical, but it’s always fun to understand precisely what’s happening in a dog’s head. Additionally, you may wonder if you should be concerned about bed digging or worried the pet will tear into the expensive bed you bought. We dug up some answers for you.

a brown dog in a dog bed
Jamie Street / Unsplash

Why does my dog dig on the bed?

There are several reasons why dogs might dig on the bed, most of them completely harmless (phew). Reasons why your dog may adore digging into their bed include:

  • Inheritance. Your dog may not have inherited millions of dollars from their ancestors. However, they did keep some of their relatives’ traits, including ones inherited from wild dogs. Before pups had the protection of their humans, they used to dig around before falling asleep to ensure the spot was safe. Today, wild dogs continue to practice this protective measure.
  • Curiosity. Sometimes, your dog isn’t concerned about becoming someone else’s bedtime snack — they’re just innately curious. Some pups love uncovering toys and treats. Your pet might be checking under the covers to see if their favorite squeaky toy is around or if you left them a special treat.
  • They want to get comfortable. Humans aren’t the only ones who fluff their pillows or toss and turn until they find the perfect position. Dogs do the same by digging. There’s a caveat to this reason, though. Sometimes, a dog has trouble getting comfortable because of an underlying issue, like pain. Call a vet if the digging is more intense, frequent, or longer lasting than usual or accompanied by other flags like trouble walking.
  • Nesting. Pregnant, newly postpartum, or unspayed females may instinctively nest to keep their puppies safe and warm.
  • They’re staking claim to the territory. Dogs can be territorial. Their paw pads have scent glands that help them mark their territory and let other animals (like your resident kitty) know to keep off their precious bed.
  • Stress. Some dogs take their stress out compulsively, like chewing or excessively digging. If your dog’s schedule recently changed or you brought a new pet or baby home, they may cope by digging.
  • Boredom. “Nothing else to do? Why not dig?” – Your dog, maybe.
a dog being hugged by a woman in bed
Karin Hiselius / Unsplash

How to stop a dog from digging into their bed

Real talk: You may be unable to, and there’s generally no reason to curb bed-digging sessions. The ordinarily harmless behavior is often engrained into a dog. However, if you’re concerned, try these steps:

  • Call a vet. Your vet can help you rule out any underlying conditions and even give you tips for helping your dog cope with stress more productively.
  • Keep your pet active. Lack of physical activity can lead to boredom and stress. Ensure your dog gets the right amount of exercise for their age, size, and breed. Your vet can help you determine how much your pet should exercise.
  • Provide mental stimulation. Puzzle toys are among the ways to keep your pet’s mind working even if you can’t be around them 24/7.
  • Redirect the dog. When the digging starts, try to redirect them by instructing the dog to “lie down” or with a toy (especially if you think the digging is out of boredom).
  • Try a new bed. Perhaps your dog isn’t comfortable, or the bed’s material is irritating their skin. A new one might help.
an adult pug in a gray bed
Karin Hiselius / Unsplash

Final thoughts

Dogs dig into their beds for several reasons. Their ancestors and wild dogs today dig into sleep spaces to protect themselves from predators. Even though your home may not have a predator in sight, a dog might have inherited this behavior from their relatives. A desire to get comfy is also a reason dogs dig. Sometimes, a dog will dig in their bed if they’re stressed or having trouble getting comfortable because of a medical condition. In these cases, the digging is often compulsive and accompanied by other symptoms, like vomiting or excess chewing.

Since digging into beds is innate in some dogs, you may struggle to stop the behavior. You might try redirecting the dog or ensuring they get plenty of exercise throughout the day. If these tips don’t work and there is no underlying condition present, you may have to accept the digging. Keep their nails trimmed to reduce tears, and buy a durable bed (and perhaps give them a gentle but firm boot from yours).

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
BethAnn Mayer
BethAnn Mayer
Contributor
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
Why does your dog like stare at you?
There are a few reasons why your dog might not take their eyes off you
A dog lies on the floor making sad eyes up at the camera

Have you ever had an indescribable feeling of tiny, beady eyes on you? You look up from work or chores and see your dogs staring at you intently, only to wonder what they're thinking. It's impossible to know for sure the minds of our pooches, but we do have some ideas. So if you're wondering, "Why does my dog stare at me?" - never fret — it's both normal and explainable. The exact cause depends a bit on the circumstances, so read on to figure out exactly what's going on.
Why does my dog always stare at me?

It's hard to guess precisely what goes on in your beastie's noggin, especially when they look up at you, seemingly asking a question. We can't promise that we're dog psychics, but we do have some idea what they might be getting at.
Your dog wants something
If Fido looks you dead in the eyes around dinner time every day, we think you already know the answer here. Of course, your little buddy will stare right through you when looking for a meal or a snack. Alternatively, sometimes pups learn to gaze at you when they need to potty — a great way of saying that it's outside time.
It's true love
You may occasionally look down at your fur baby with pure love in your eyes, and they do the same right back. Watching you can be a part of showing affection and devotion. Make sure that this habit hasn't turned into anything too clingy, since sometimes an intense stare means your animal suffers from separation anxiety.
They're feeling aggressive
In most households, you'll never encounter this reason, but sometimes dogs glare at people because they feel threatened. This could happen when a new person comes over or a stranger walks too close to them on the sidewalk. It also can be a symptom of resource guarding, which is when your pup pup decides that they don't want anyone coming near their treat.
Your dog wants to know what you're doing
Ever do something ridiculous and realize your furry friend was watching you the whole time? Because our canine companions are so in tune with us, they seem to know when we have done something out of step. This particular stare may also accompany a head tilt and upright ears, indicating that they want to suss out your actions.
They need to tell you something
Maybe not literally, but the idea is there. We already covered that a fuzz ball might look intently when they need a bathroom break, but they could ask for other things, too. When your pet looks up at you and then picks up a toy, you should instantly get the message: They need playtime.
How do you know why your dog is staring?

Read more
Why do dogs scratch the carpet? This mystery solved
Find out the answer to this behavior, plus, how to save your floors
A pit bull under a table with carpet on floor

You likely expected your dog to scratch themselves, a natural behavior that can sometimes be a flag for allergies (or fleas — ugh). However, your dog may have caught you off guard when they started scratching the carpet, especially if you thought you and your floor were in the clear when Fido officially aced potty training.

Why does my dog scratch the carpet like they're trying to dig a hole? A pup may tear up a rug for various reasons. The behavior could even be as natural as scratching an itch for a dog. Understanding why your pet is scratching the carpet is the first step to nixing the undesirable behavior and saving your flooring.
Why does my dog scratch the carpet?

Read more
Why is my dog drooling? Here’s when to be concerned about sudden or excessive dog salivation
This is why your dog slobbers all over you and themselves
A drooling Irish setter looks to the side

Although St. Bernards, mastiffs, and several other large breeds are known for their tendency to drool, it may be quite a shock if your usually drool-free pup suddenly starts to salivate. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place if you find yourself asking, "Why is my dog drooling?"
We’ve looked into many causes of excessive and sudden salivation, from the easy fixes to the more concerning problems. Most likely, drooling is nothing to worry about, but it never hurts to take a more careful look — especially if your pup is behaving oddly. Here’s everything you’ll want to know about canine salivation.

Why is my dog drooling, and is sudden or excessive drooling a cause for concern?

Read more