Why Do Dogs Scratch The Area Where They Sleep?

Dogs scratch the floor before bed like an ancient ritual they performed before being tamed for human companionship. These are behaviors that we human beings don’t always understand. 

Wild dogs dig the ground to create a nest where they can rest comfortably and safely.

While domesticated dogs have comfortable, safe places to sleep in their modern homes, the urge to scratch the floor before bed is literally encoded in canine DNA, so it’s nearly impossible to resist.

Dogs scratch for territorial claims

Territorial claims are another reason dogs scratch your sleeping area. Special glands in the underside of the dog’s paws release a special scent that is reinforced by the scratching.

Digging into the surface of the area where they intend to rest, dogs use the scent of their paws to claim territory as their own.

Some dogs scratch the floor before bedtime to improve their sleeping comfort. Dogs often rearrange their resting surface.

Sand, grass, or cotton can help dogs regulate their temperature. In warmer areas, dogs can dig into the ground to let it cool.

In cooler areas, dogs can dig into the ground to create a warm and cozy environment. Scratching the floor before bedtime also helps dogs find the most comfortable sleeping position.

While it may not seem like much fun to their owners, some dogs enjoy scratching or digging. They entertain themselves. Scratching the ground helps some dogs to relieve boredom and release energy.

Scratching the ground is also more natural for some breeds than others. Terriers, for example, have a reputation for being great diggers.

Some dogs carry this scratching habit very far. Many rip their owners’ carpets or dig unwanted holes in the yard.

If this happens, it is necessary to teach your dog that this behavior is not appropriate.

avoidable damage

Dogs can scratch the floor or bed before bed simply because their nails are too long.

The solution to avoid this may be to cut your nails. If you don’t feel like doing this, see your trusted veterinarian.

Scratches are sometimes destructive to rugs, floors, or bedding. If this happens, many experts suggest putting the dog in his own bed.

Give your dog a comfortable bed. Many prefer circular beds with raised edges on which they can rest their heads.

If your pet continues this behavior, you can put a couple of blankets or some clothes on your bed that you no longer wear.

Dogs, through urine marking, spread their scent around. Like wolves, they also have glands in their foot pads that release a unique scent.

This happens naturally when walking or running. It is a fact that the smell is intensified by scratching. A dog will usually scratch the place where he is about to go to bed, so he will have his scent.

take some measures

While many dogs can eat high-end foods and sleep in a bed designed for them, they still retain their natural instincts.

In nature, before being domesticated, dogs slept outdoors, sharing the environment with other small creatures.

Scratching the floor before bedtime can result from the need to ward off unwanted insects.

If your dog sleeps outside your home and has no bed, it may dig and scratch your sleeping area in an attempt to achieve, depending on the weather, a warmer or cooler environment.

Even if your dog has a comfortable bed in the backyard, some dogs may prefer to dig their own sleeping holes.

If your pet has this habit, give him a doghouse that has a bed that allows air circulation when the weather is warm, and give him some blankets when the temperature drops considerably.

If there are extreme weather conditions, don’t hesitate: it’s best to let your dog sleep inside. That way you will prevent him from getting sick due to the low temperatures.