Blanket munching mutt.

elsien

Mutt has always been into chewing things and at the age of 12 is unlikely to stop. So her blankets have always looked more like string vests where she's had the odd nibble here and there.
However over the last few weeks she's eating the blanket all the time. To the point where she's doing 8 poos a day and 6 1/2 of them are blanket, and I'm at my wits end with her, and quite worried that it's doing her innards no good at all.
I wondered if it was boredom while I'm out at work, but it's happening even when I'm at home, so I'm now thinking has it turned into a habit/obsession?
She's completely ignoring her toys - even when they're in her box she's still chewing her blanket instead. Very limited in the toys she can have as she's a power chewer, so I can't get her new ones.
So far the ideas I've come up with which I wanted opinions on are
1) give her stuffed kongs while I'm out - downside, she has colitis so I'm not sure what to put in them that won't set her off
2) take her blanket out when she's going OTT - downside - she might start chewing her box again and do herself a mischief with the sharp edges
3) replace the blanket with vetbed - will this do any harm if she chews it?
4) more exercise to tire her out - downside - she has arthritis so can't over do it.
Anthing else I can try?
Edit - getting people to call in on her while I'm out isn't an option due to her antisocial tendencies unless mum is available.

Curious_George_2

i think a call to the vet for advise might be in order,
not to worry you but our alsation used to eat the odd tea towel, sock or pair of pants... in the end he went a bit loopy and was doing it all the time, plus he got caught eating christmas tree decorations and foil and really hurt himself

the vet may have some tips
good luck

elsien

I'll definitely get onto the vet if it carries on.
What did you do to stop your Alsation?

foreign_correspondent

hmm, I dont know what to suggest - is there any indestructable pet bedding? I may even be tempted to remove her blanket, as a temporary measure as it could cause a blockage... she knows how to keep you on your toes, doesn't she?!

elsien

Yep, we're going to be back to the gaffer tape again soon. :rotfl: It does rather seem to be one thing after another again at the moment.

My next dog is going to be well screened for at least 12 months before I agree to take her home! I think I got the booby prize this time round.

Raksha

My bosses dog used to eat her bedding - he'd buy cheap quilts for humans for £7.50 and replace them when she chewed them (not very MSE), I suggested vet bed, but he ignored me. Then she chewed her bed the day before she was due to go to her dog minders while he was out of the country. I said I had some vet bed spare he could buy from me - she's never chewed it and seems to prefer it to any other bed. She still has a quilt, and will chew that, but not the vet bed........

callywally

You could try spraying the bedding with bitter apple spray. you can buy this from pet shops.
otherwise you could remove all bedding and bed. She could really do herself a lot of damage doing this. as others have said get advice from vet.

elsien

I think the vet bed has to be worth a try. I have some bitter apple - didn't stop her chewing her foot, but still worth a go - from desperation if nothing else.

elsien

Update - took the blanket away and put carpet in instead as a temporary measure which she's now leaving alone. Unfortunately she's swapped to licking the carpet, chewing her foot and demolishing the contents of any bag she can get her nose into instead.
The draught excluder for the charity shop and the bag of papers went for a burton today. The dining room looks like a blizzards's hit it. Giving her more exercise hasn't had any effect as yet.
Definitely looking behavioural from where I'm sitting. Little git.

Can anyone recommend a good quality reasonably priced vet bed type thingy?