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A. In all fairness, dogs like what they like! Kids have their favorite toys, bunnies have their favorite plants, and people have their favorite TV shows! However, AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Hilarie Erb says that dogs and puppies should never be left unsupervised with a plastic water bottle!
Iโve often wondered why my dog likes chewing on plastic water bottles but not traditional dog toys. Itโs sort of a mystery, and Iโve even seen many people at the park give them to their dogs to play withโafter all, plastic water bottles are a free toy.
But the big questions are why does my dog like water bottles and are plastic water bottles safe for my dog?
The answer lies in the crunching sound that can give you and me goosebumps, but dogs just love it! Whether they fish out an empty plastic water bottle from the recycling bin or you give it to them as a toy, both puppies and adult dogs just canโt get enough of these crinkly, crunchy โtoysโ.
Iโve known several dog owners whoโve given their dog stuffed toys, dog bones, and balls, only to have their furry pal come back time and time again to play with a plastic water bottle.
But even though we donโt like to say no to our pets, itโs also our big responsibility to keep them safe, and giving your dog plastic water bottles is risky business.
My Dog Likes Water Bottles: Key Takeaways
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Why Does My Dog like Chewing on Water Bottles?
Since each dog is different, there are several different reasons why your dog likes chewing on water bottles, but here are the most common ones.
- Your dog enjoys hearing the crunching sound plastic makes between their teeth
- Your dog likes the taste of plastic
- Your dog is chewing bottles out of boredom, frustration, anxiety or attention seeking
- Your dog can easily toss an empty water bottle across a room or floor
- Your dog likes to play with small plastic pieces
The Pica Problem
Things may get worse if your dog seems fixated on destroying the bottle and chewing and eating on the plastic aka the Pica problem.
Pica is the desire to consume non-food items such as plastic bottles, toys, grass, sticks and similar objects.
There are myriad different reasons your dog will munch on plastic water bottles like when his diet is lacking due to one or more nutrients that he needs, a digestive disorder, a disease or parasites.
Plastic water bottles and other similar items when consumed can cause serious blockage in the digestive tract, and either get tangled in the sensitive intestine, or be unable to pass, which in most cases requires emergency vet careโ frequently surgeryโ and can be fatal.
Signs your dog may be experiencing GI blockage include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Straining to pass stool
- Loss of appetite
- Drooling
- Lethargy
Is it Safe for Dogs to Chew on Plastic Bottles?
The AKC says that itโs safe to give your dog plastic water bottles if you can be certain that it will never be left alone with one but this is often impossible, given the busy lives we live!
Plastic Bottles can harm your dog in the following ways:
- Your dog may ingest the cap or a piece of the bottle
- These pieces can cause blockage
- The sharp edges of these pieces can cut your dogโs mouth
- The top and the ring that secures it can be a choking hazard
- Plastic could also become toxic to your dogโs digestive system
If youโre going to give your dog a plastic water bottle, make sure you remove the cap, the ring and peel the label and monitor your dog while he plays with it.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Chewing Plastic Water Bottles?
The easiest way to prevent your dog from chewing on plastic water bottled is by refraining from tossing them a water bottle to play with. If you donโt want plastic water bottles in your dogโs mouth, make them unavailable.
By not giving your dog a water bottle to play with, your dog will sooner or later find another favorite toy to chew on.
Another great way of discouraging your dog from chewing on chewing on plastic water bottles is by spraying the bottles with a no-chew deterrent.
- 5X MAX STRENGTH FORMULA
- Simply spray surface and walk way
- 100% NON-TOXIC, SAFE, STING FREE
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
- Taste deterrent for dogs
- Bitter apple flavor
- ALCOHOL-FREE FORMULA
- EFFECTIVELY DISCOURAGES CHEWING
- WITH CALMING COPAIBA OIL
- GOOD FOR SKIN
- PROFESSIONALLY FORMULATED
How to Train Your Dog to Not Chew Plastic Bottles?
Itโs not always possible to keep plastic water bottles out of sight, but you can take a few steps to train your dog to not chew plastic water bottles.
If you catch your dog chewing on plastic water bottles, trade the bottles for a chew toy thatโs appropriate.
- DURABLE, LONG-LASTING
- 100% REAL BACON
- EASY TO PICK UP AND CHEW
- USA MADE
- FUN & OCCUPYING
- MADE OF DURABLE NYLON
- PROMOTES DOG DENTAL HEALTH
- MADE IN THE USA
- SAVORY ORIGINAL FLAVOR
- Aggressive Chew Toys for Large Dogs
- Trustworthy Tough Chew Toys for Dogs
- Exercise Dog Toy
- MADE of NYLON
However, great chances are that if they like water bottles so much itโs not going to be an easy trade, so keep some high-value treats on hand to make the deal.
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