Why does my dog eat toilet paper?

If you’ve walked into a bathroom and found your dog unrolling or chewing a roll of toilet paper, you’re not alone—and you’re exactly the person who benefits from a clear, practical explanation. That moment can feel odd, frustrating, or worrying depending on whether you’re dealing with a five-month-old puppy, a high-energy adult, or an older dog with new habits. Read on if you want to understand likely reasons, what to watch for medically, and how to stop it for good; if your dog is choking, gagging, or clearly in pain, skip ahead to the immediate steps and call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away.

Short take — why your dog keeps eating toilet paper

Most dogs that eat or shred toilet paper are driven by simple behavior: exploratory mouthing, play, or attention-seeking. A subgroup is motivated by a food-seeking drive that may resemble pica (an appetite for non-food items), and a small number of cases are linked to medical problems or anxiety. In short: start by removing access and watching your dog closely; if there are signs of distress or abnormal stools, contact your veterinarian.

The behavior behind it: curiosity, instinct and boredom explained

Puppies and many adult dogs explore their world with their mouths. Mouthing and chewing are normal ways to sample texture and learn about objects; toilet paper is light, unrolling, and gives immediate feedback, so it often becomes a play object. I typically see this with teething puppies and dogs left with little else to do.

Some dogs are motivated by foraging or scavenging instincts that may be stronger in certain breeds or individuals. In those dogs, soft, shreddable items simulate prey-catching behavior or the reward of finding and “processing” a meal. When ingestion is repeated and directed at non-food items, it may suggest pica, which can be linked to nutritional deficits, gastrointestinal disease, or chronic stress.

Attention-seeking also plays a role. If stealing paper reliably prompts a chase, scolding, or increased interaction, that outcome reinforces the behavior. Dogs are pragmatic learners: even a negative reaction may be perceived as attention. Finally, age matters—puppies mouth because they are learning and teething, while seniors may chew more if they have cognitive changes, dental pain, or altered appetite.

When it tends to happen: common triggers and timing

Timing and environment make a difference. Many owners report incidents during low-activity periods—midday when the family is out, in the evening when excitement is low, or after a long crate-freeovernight sleep. Dogs with high energy but insufficient exercise are more prone to destructive chewing as an outlet. Routine disruptions—guests, moving house, a new baby—can increase stress and make chewing more likely.

The physical layout matters: open toilet paper within reach, bathroom doors left partially closed, or rolls stored at floor level make temptation easy. In multi-dog homes, one dog’s interest can trigger copycat behavior. Life stage and activity level correlate strongly; adjusting daily exercise and supervision often reduces incidents dramatically.

Health hazards and warning signs to watch for

Most shredded toilet paper passes through a healthy dog’s digestive tract without serious consequences, but there are important exceptions. Watch for choking or airway distress—gagging, pawing at the mouth, drooling, or difficulty breathing—which requires immediate attention. A piece of paper lodged in the back of the throat or windpipe is a real emergency.

More commonly, swallowed paper can form a bolus in the stomach or intestines and lead to partial or complete obstruction. Signs that suggest obstruction include repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, a bloated belly, lack of bowel movements, and severe lethargy. Blood in the stool, persistent vomiting, or loss of appetite are further red flags. If your dog’s behavior changes suddenly—new aggression, extreme lethargy, or persistent discomfort—these warrant prompt veterinary evaluation because they may point to a medical cause rather than simple mischief.

What to do immediately if you catch them in the act

1. Secure the scene: remove any remaining toilet paper and close the bathroom door so your dog can’t continue the behavior while you assess the situation.
2. Do a quick check for distress: look in the mouth for lodged material, watch for coughing or gagging, and note breathing rate. If your dog is choking or struggling to breathe, get to an emergency clinic now.
3. Monitor closely for 24–48 hours: track appetite, vomiting, stool frequency and consistency, energy level, and any signs of abdominal pain. Keep a diary of what and when the dog ate, especially if you can estimate how much paper was ingested.
4. Call your veterinarian if you see vomiting more than once, inability to pass stool, abdominal pain, bloody stools, or marked lethargy. Your vet may recommend observation at home, an office visit, or emergency imaging depending on the history and exam.

A practical, long-term plan to stop the habit

Prevention blends management, enrichment, and training. Start with predictable daily exercise—walks, runs, or play sessions—matched to your dog’s age and breed tendencies. Many dogs settle when their physical and mental needs are met; I often see a dramatic drop in problem chewing after increasing structured activity to burn excess energy.

Enrichment reduces the urge to forage in the wrong places. Offer durable chew toys, rotating puzzle feeders, and foraging games so the dog has acceptable alternatives that satisfy chewing and searching drives. Begin impulse-control training: teach “leave it” and “drop” using low-value to high-value exchanges, then generalize to bathrooms and other tempting spaces. Reward successful disengagement with a trade (a treat or toy) so the dog learns that ignoring forbidden items leads to a better outcome.

Management is essential while training takes hold. Close bathroom doors, store spare rolls out of reach, and make the environment less rewarding. Consistency matters—everyone in the household and visitors should follow the same rules so the dog is not inadvertently reinforced by one person allowing access during lapses.

Supplies, toys and deterrents that actually help (and what to avoid)

• Covered or wall-mounted toilet-paper dispensers that prevent easy unrolling and chewing.
• Baby gates or close-fitting crate for supervised confinement when you can’t watch your dog; crates used correctly provide a safe downtime without access to tempting objects.
• Durable chew toys and puzzle feeders to provide appropriate oral and mental stimulation—rotate items to keep interest high.
• Pet-safe bitter-taste sprays can be tried on dispensers or empty rolls as a short-term deterrent, used cautiously and paired with training rather than as sole intervention.

Still happening? Escalation steps and when to consult a pro

If toilet-paper eating persists despite improved enrichment, consistent training, and management, consider a deeper evaluation. Recurrent pica-like behavior may be linked to nutritional imbalances, gastrointestinal disease, dental pain, or compulsive behavior that benefits from a behaviorist’s input. I will often refer persistent cases to a veterinary behaviorist for a structured plan that can include behavior modification, environmental changes, and, in some cases, medication to reduce anxiety-driven compulsion.

Documenting episodes—what was ingested, timing, household events, and any concurrent medical signs—helps your veterinarian or behaviorist identify triggers and patterns. If your dog exhibits other signs such as increased anxiety, disrupted sleep, or new irritability, these may suggest an underlying medical or cognitive change that needs investigation with bloodwork, medication review, or imaging.

Everyday tricks and quick wins to keep toilet paper off-limits

Start small and be patient: closing the bathroom door consistently, offering 10–15 extra minutes of structured play daily, and teaching “leave it” in short sessions can produce measurable change within days to weeks. Use positive reinforcement; avoid harsh punishment, which often increases anxiety and may worsen the behavior. If you’re uncertain whether an ingestion is dangerous, call your veterinarian—early advice can prevent complications.

Sources and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Pica (abnormal eating behavior) and Foreign Body Obstruction in Dogs
• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB): Find a Diplomate and client resources on compulsive and pica-related behaviors
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Resources on pet behavior and recognizing signs of distress
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control and ASPCA advice pages on foreign body ingestion and household hazards
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior: peer-reviewed articles on pica, compulsive disorders, and behavior modification approaches