Why does my dog eat my underwear?

If you’ve discovered a chewed-up pair of underwear or caught your dog sneaking your laundry, you’re not alone—and this behavior deserves attention beyond a sigh and a cleanup. Understanding why dogs go after underwear touches on hygiene, potential medical risk, and the trust between pet and owner. My goal here is practical: explain likely causes, what to watch for, immediate steps to take, and how to prevent it happening again without turning your home into a fortress.

Why your dog’s underwear habit deserves a closer look

Underwear isn’t just a piece of cloth to a dog; it often carries a strong, concentrated scent of a person they care about. That scent can make the garment a comfort item or a high-value “find.” For dog owners, that intersection of scent attraction and access raises hygiene concerns—fabric may be contaminated with skin oils, detergents, or chemicals—and safety concerns when ingestion is possible.

Owners commonly ask whether this is “normal” or a sign of something worse. I typically see three emotional responses: embarrassment, worry about the dog’s health, and frustration over repeat behavior. Each is valid. Deciding whether to watch and manage at home or seek help depends on what you observe: is the dog tearing and ingesting fabric, are there signs of distress after ingestion, or is this part of a larger pattern of destructive or anxious behavior?

Beyond immediate safety, repeated underwear-stealing can strain the human–dog bond. If an owner responds with inconsistent corrections, the dog may learn to hide the behavior or escalate it for attention. Clear, calm action protects both physical health and the relationship you want to keep intact.

At a glance — the main reasons dogs chew or eat underwear

There are a few straightforward reasons dogs go for underwear. First, scent attraction and foraging instinct: clothing smells like you, and dogs are wired to investigate and carry scent-marked items. Second, mouthing and exploration—especially in puppies and adolescents—are normal ways to learn about the world and relieve teething discomfort. Third, boredom, attention-seeking, or stress behaviors can push otherwise well-behaved dogs to steal items that get a reaction.

Lastly, medical causes deserve a mention. Some dogs develop pica—eating non-food items—which may be linked to digestive upset, nutrient imbalances, metabolic disease, or neurological issues. If ingestion is frequent or paired with other signs like weight loss or vomiting, this may suggest a medical problem rather than simple mischief.

Behind the behavior: biological causes and canine signals

Dogs rely heavily on smell. A freshly worn pair of underwear concentrates human scent and also carries pheromonal cues that may make it more attractive than a bland toy. For some dogs the behavior is an extension of scavenging—carrying or hiding fragrant items can be a remnant of denning behavior where a strong-smelling object offers comfort.

Puppies and adolescent dogs use their mouths to investigate texture, taste, and durability. Mouthing may shift to chewing when teething peaks or when an outlet for energy is missing. When a dog repeatedly chooses fabric over other items, the selection may communicate a need: comfort, oral relief, or a learned reward loop where the owner’s chase or attention reinforces the habit.

Physiological pica is different: it is likely linked to internal drivers. Chronic ingestion of cloth or other materials may be associated with gastrointestinal disease, pancreatic insufficiency, anemia, or behavioral syndromes tied to stress or neurochemistry. When in doubt, consider whether the behavior appears alongside lethargy, poor weight gain, or other health changes.

When and where your dog is most likely to target underwear

Patterns are useful for prevention. This behavior often appears when dogs are unsupervised—left alone in bedrooms, near laundry baskets, or in rooms where worn clothing is temporarily exposed. Nighttime and periods when the household is busy or away are common because the dog has uninterrupted access and may be seeking comfort or entertainment.

Certain life stages and transitions increase risk: a newly adopted dog left to adjust alone, a puppy in the teething window, adolescent dogs testing boundaries, or adults facing change (a new baby, shift in routine, or house guests). Triggers include boredom from insufficient physical or mental exercise, sudden routine changes, or competition in multi-dog homes where resource guarding or copying another dog’s behavior appears.

Notice whether the dog targets specific items (underwear, socks, bras) or whether anything soft will do. Targeted selection of owner-scented clothing suggests comfort-seeking; indiscriminate chewing may suggest boredom or pica.

Health risks and red flags: when this habit becomes dangerous

Swallowed fabric poses real risks. Small tears and threads might pass, but larger pieces can cause partial or complete intestinal blockage. Vomiting, repeated gagging, abdominal pain, lethargy, constipation, or a swollen abdomen are red flags suggesting obstruction. These signs often progress quickly and require veterinary attention.

Choking is an immediate danger when a dog tears fabric and large pieces lodge in the throat. Look for coughing, pawing at the mouth, drooling, and panic. If you can’t remove an obstruction quickly and safely, consider it an emergency. Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, secondary infections, or long-term damage to the gut lining are less common but possible outcomes of chronic fabric ingestion.

Recurrent eating despite management attempts may suggest an underlying behavioral issue or a medical cause like pica. If your interventions don’t reduce the behavior, or if you see other clinical signs, treat the situation as more than a training problem and consult your veterinarian or a behavior specialist.

First response: what to do immediately if your dog eats underwear

• Secure the dog and remove access to remaining fabric. Put the dog in a safe, confined area or on a leash so you can assess without more ingestion.
• Check breathing and airway. If the dog is choking or unable to breathe, try gentle inspection and removal only if the object is visible and can be safely grabbed; otherwise seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
• Note what and how much was possibly eaten, and when. This information helps your vet assess the risk of obstruction. Keep any packaging or fragments if possible.
• Call your regular veterinarian or an emergency clinic to describe the situation. If ingestion was recent and the dog is stable, your vet may recommend monitoring or bring-you-in evaluation; if the dog shows vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal pain, go in promptly.
• Record stool output and any vomiting for 48–72 hours. Even if the dog seems fine, new signs can appear hours after ingestion.

Longer-term fixes — training strategies and home adjustments

Prevention combines management and training. The fastest reduction of risk comes from removing temptation: keep worn clothes out of reach in closed hampers or closets, and make bedrooms off-limits if unsupervised access is a problem. I often recommend a predictable daily routine of walks and play so dogs have outlet time tied to habit rather than random bursts of energy.

Enrichment replaces the value of fabric. Food-dispensing puzzles, long-lasting chews (appropriate for your dog’s size), and a rotating toy set provide alternatives. Rotate toys so novelty remains; a bored dog will find whatever is left unattended. Also introduce mandated calm times—structured crate rest or mat training—so the dog learns that relaxation is rewarded.

Teach clear cues: leave-it, drop-it, and reliable recalls. Start in low-distraction environments and reward small successes generously. For drop-it, use high-value treats to trade for the item rather than scolding. Consistent household responses matter: if one person chases the dog for attention while another punishes, the behavior can be unintentionally reinforced.

Desensitize triggers gradually. If the problem is owner-scent comfort-seeking, provide a soft substitute with your smell that’s safe to chew (for example, an old t-shirt encased safely in a toy designed to hold cloth) while teaching that real clothing is off-limits. If anxiety or separation appears to be the driver, incremental departures with short absences and counterconditioning usually help; consider professional behavior help for severe cases.

Helpful gear and supplies: toys, deterrents and storage solutions

Simple tools reduce opportunity. Use lidded or elevated hampers and keep closets closed; a laundry room with a door is best. Durable chew toys and food puzzles give alternatives—choose size-appropriate options and rotate them. Vet-approved taste deterrent sprays may help discourage mouthing on occasional items, but they’re not a long-term replacement for training.

Confinement tools used correctly can protect your dog and your belongings. Baby gates or crates provide supervised containment; crate placement near family areas reduces isolation stress. If using a crate, ensure the dog views it as a safe space with positive associations rather than punishment. Supervision aids like kennel covers or timed camera checks let you catch patterns you might miss while away.

If it keeps happening: escalation steps and when to seek professional help

If the behavior persists despite securing clothing, enriching the dog’s environment, and consistent training, escalate to professional help. A licensed veterinarian can rule out medical causes; bloodwork, fecal testing, or imaging may be indicated if ingestion is recurrent. If a medical cause is ruled out, consulting a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or an applied animal behaviorist can help create a tailored behavior modification plan that addresses the root drivers.

In multi-dog households, copycat behavior or resource competition may require a household-wide plan, not just a plan for one dog. Medication may be appropriate in some cases where anxiety or compulsive behavior is severe and hasn’t responded to behavioral therapy alone; such decisions are best made by a veterinarian experienced in behavior management.

References and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Foreign body obstruction” — guidance on clinical signs and management (Merck Veterinary Manual).
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Destructive chewing in dogs” — client information on causes and prevention strategies (AVMA client handouts).
• ASPCA Pro: “Canine destructive behaviors: Chewing and eating non-food items” — practical behavior-management recommendations (ASPCA Pro Resources).
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior: article on pica and ingestion of non-food items in dogs — clinical observations and behavioral context (Journal of Veterinary Behavior, clinical review).
• Applied Animal Behaviour Science: studies on enrichment, oral behavior, and resource-related problem behaviors in domestic dogs (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, selected research articles).