Why do dogs dig in blankets?

Blanket-digging is one of those small, persistent habits many dog owners notice: the little scratching motions before settling down, the tugging and burrowing, or the occasional full-on blanket shredding. Understanding why dogs do this matters because it connects to comfort, safety, and communication between you and your dog. The notes below are practical, behavior-focused, and designed to help you read the behavior, respond constructively, and decide when professional help is needed.

What blanket-digging reveals about your dog’s needs

When a dog digs in a blanket, the behavior often signals an attempt to meet basic needs—warmth, safety, predictability. Responding appropriately lets you provide comfort without reinforcing unwanted destruction. I typically see owners feel torn between finding the behavior endearing and being frustrated by chewed bedding; both responses are important signals about what an owner wants from the relationship with their dog.

Recognizing the reasons behind digging can deepen the bond. If a dog is shaping its sleeping spot, an owner who understands that can offer an acceptable alternative that preserves the comfort ritual while protecting household items. Conversely, when digging is frantic or excessive, it may be an early sign of anxiety, pain, or a need for clearer routine—an opportunity to intervene before problems escalate.

Different relationships call for different approaches. A working or sporting dog may be redirected toward appropriate scent-based tasks, while a small companion dog may benefit more from a heavy blanket and a cozy nest. The goal is to match intervention to the dog’s underlying motive instead of simply stopping the motion.

In one sentence: the core reason dogs dig in blankets

• Most dogs dig in blankets because they are trying to make a nest or improve comfort, engaging an instinct that is likely linked to ancestral denning.
• Blanket-digging can also be part of play, a response to temperature and texture, or a scent-related exploratory behavior where the dog is arranging scents to suit itself.
• Breed and age matter: terriers and some herding breeds may be more inclined to burrow, while puppies often dig more as they learn the world.
• Digging is usually normal when it’s brief and settles into sleep. It may suggest a problem if it is frantic, destructive, or accompanies other changes like loss of appetite or lethargy.

Instincts and biology: why some dogs love to burrow

Digging behaviors are likely linked to ancient den-making. Wild canids dug or rearranged material to create an insulated, sheltered sleeping spot; domestic dogs retain a version of that instinct. The small, repetitive pawing and nose work before settling down is an efficient way to contour fabric around a body, which may feel safer and warmer.

Thermoregulation plays a practical role. Dogs may dig and tamp down blankets to trap warm air near their bodies or, in warm weather, they may paw to expose cooler layers. The tactile sensation of fabric moving under paws and muzzle may itself be soothing in a way similar to human self-comforting rituals.

Scent and territory also matter. By moving fabric, a dog can redistribute its own scent in a sleeping area or investigate smells embedded in the blanket. This exploratory, scent-driven behavior helps a dog feel that the space belongs to them and may reduce vigilance during sleep.

Breed tendencies and developmental stage influence frequency. Breeds originally selected for den work, burrowing, or earth-scenting may show more pronounced digging around bedding. Puppies frequently experiment with digging as part of play and sensory learning; many outgrow intense patterns as they mature, though some keep it as a preferred bedtime routine.

When and where it happens — common triggers and contexts

The physical qualities of a blanket matter. Loose, layered, and fluffy blankets invite burrowing because they shift easily and create depth; smooth, thin fabrics invite less manipulation. A dog is more likely to dig on a pile of laundry or a sofa throw than on a tightly fitted bedspread.

Time of day and routine are predictors. Many dogs dig in their pre-sleep routine—right before a nap or at night—so the action is part of a sequence that ends with resting. Disrupting that sequence abruptly can create stress; offering an alternative routine can be an effective intervention.

Household context affects the behavior. Dogs living in busy, noisy homes may dig to create a sheltered micro-space that feels quieter. Conversely, a dog that digs suddenly more often when there’s construction, loud noises, or a change in household composition may be signaling a need for extra security.

Weather has an influence: colder weather can increase nest-building, while hot conditions may change the motion to pawing at cooler layers. Observing correlations between temperature, time, and digging can help you decide whether the behavior is adaptive or problematic.

Potential health issues and red flags you shouldn’t ignore

Most blanket-digging is harmless, but certain patterns suggest an underlying issue. Excessive, frantic, or repetitive digging that interferes with sleep, causes injuries, or produces constant activity may suggest anxiety, pain, or a compulsive disorder and should prompt further assessment.

Physical signs to watch include bleeding, raw pads, bald spots, or sores on the paws or body caused by persistent pawing or scraping. These are reasons to stop the behavior and seek veterinary advice quickly to prevent infection or chronic pain.

Sudden increases in digging paired with other behavioral changes—reduced appetite, increased panting, avoidance of touch, or lethargy—may indicate medical problems. Pain in the hips, spine, or paws can cause dogs to shift rest postures more often and to paw at bedding to find a comfortable angle.

Repetitive, ritualized motions that continue despite environmental changes may be consistent with a compulsive disorder. A veterinary behaviorist can help determine whether the behavior is primarily medical, anxiety-driven, or a learned habit that needs structured behavior modification.

Immediate steps owners can take when you catch the behavior

1. Observe and record: Note when, where, and how often the digging happens, and whether it follows specific events (noisy neighbors, vet visits, new people). A simple diary for one to two weeks often reveals patterns.
2. Offer safe alternatives before intervening: Provide a designated nesting blanket or a weighted bed at the same time of day when digging typically occurs. Let the dog explore the new bedding without punishment, and place it where the dog already prefers to rest.
3. Reward calm behavior consistently: When the dog uses the designated spot and settles without destructive digging, reward immediately with a calm praise, a treat, or a short petting session. Consistency helps the dog link the new behavior with positive outcomes.
4. Increase enrichment and exercise: Often digging is reduced when physical and mental needs are met. Add structured play, walks, and scent games that satisfy exploration drives so blanket-digging is less necessary to discharge energy.
5. Seek professional help if red flags appear: If digging is excessive, causes injury, or appears linked with anxiety or pain, consult your veterinarian first. If medical causes are ruled out, a veterinary behaviorist can design a behavior plan and consider whether medication or behavior modification is appropriate.

Change the scene and retrain: practical management strategies

Environmental changes are often the quickest practical fix. Swap lightweight throws for denser, heavier blankets that don’t shift easily, or use a layered approach where a removable top layer can satisfy digging while protecting the base. Placing a completed “nest” for the dog can honor the ritual while limiting fabric damage.

Teach an approved alternative: choose a mat, a specific blanket, or a covered bed and teach a cue like “nest” or “go bed.” Shape the behavior by reinforcing successive approximations—first rewarding approach, then pawing gently on the mat, then settling without destructive digging. Use short, regular training sessions so the new routine becomes predictable.

Desensitization helps when digging is tied to mild anxiety. If a dog digs more during thunderstorms or fireworks, pairing calming signals (chews, supervised safe space, pheromone diffuser) with gradual exposure and counter-conditioning can reduce the need to burrow. If digging seems to be comfort-seeking alone, building reliable pre-sleep cues—walk, low-key play, then nest—can be very effective.

Consistency matters more than perfection. If multiple people in a household react differently to the behavior, it will persist. Agree on the allowed bedding, the training cue, and the reinforcement strategy so the dog receives a clear message.

Helpful gear and safe alternatives to protect bedding

Choose bedding designed to withstand paws: dig-resistant beds with strengthened seams, heavy-weight fleece blankets, and bolstered dog couches are practical. A removable, thicker top layer can be replaced if it becomes worn while protecting a more expensive base mattress underneath.

Redirect digging impulses with enrichment gear. Snuffle mats and food puzzles satisfy foraging drives and provide positive, nose-focused alternatives that may reduce bedtime digging. Puzzle feeders used earlier in the evening can help tire a dog mentally before its nest routine.

Calming aids can help in the short term. Dog-appeasing pheromone diffusers, pressure wraps like snug shirts, or white-noise machines may reduce the anxiety that triggers frantic digging for some dogs. Use these as adjuncts, not as sole solutions, and check with your veterinarian before combining calming supplements or medications.

Toys that are durable and chew-resistant provide an outlet for frustration or excess energy. Rotate toys so novelty remains, and reserve a few items specifically for evenings to build a calm pre-sleep routine.

References and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Canine Behavior Problems” (Merck Vet Manual) — https://www.merckvetmanual.com/
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Fear and Anxiety in Dogs” guidance materials — https://www.avma.org/
• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB): Resources and position statements on compulsive disorders and behavior therapy — https://www.acvb.org/
• Applied Animal Behaviour Science (journal) — for peer-reviewed studies on denning, nesting, and enrichment strategies
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research — for case studies and behaviorist protocols
• American Kennel Club (AKC): “Why Dogs Dig” and breed behavioral profiles — https://www.akc.org/