Drywall Destroyed: Stop Your Dog's Drywall Chewing Frenzy

It’s a quiet night in the house. Too quiet.

The normal sounds of your dog stirring are absent from the atmosphere. You peek your head over the side of the couch, only to find your pup is nowhere in sight.

Uh oh.

As you pop up and start down the hall, you turn the corner and are met with big puppy dog eyes looking up at you…along with a puppy dog mouth full of drywall.

Your dog has been having a party destroying the drywall, and making an absolute mess!

This is equally annoying as it is concerning: why are they doing this? Will eating drywall hurt them?

Your dog may be chewing drywall out of boredom because they hear something or due to medical or emotional problems. Overall, it’s harmless if your dog consumes some drywall, and there are easy ways to stop this doggy behavior.

In this article, I will explain why your dog keeps eating the walls and reveal what actually happens if a dog eats drywall. I will also tell you how to stop your dog from eating drywall.

Finding your dog chewing on your drywall presents a two-fold issue: you want to make sure your pup is okay. And you also want them to stop tearing your walls apart!

I’m here to help you find answers and solutions for dealing with both of these things.

Let’s dive in!

Why Your Dog Keeps Eating the Walls

If your dog is eating the walls, the biggest question you may have is: why are they doing this?

Walls aren’t particularly tasty or intriguing to you as a human. But your pup may find them very attractive!

There are many reasons your pup may be chewing the walls. Some of these reasons are:

Boredom

Your dog may be chewing the walls simply because they’re bored. If your dog has been sitting around the house with little to no stimulation, they may just want to do something.

They may have started chewing the walls just to pass the time and then found that they really liked it. So now they make it a regular thing!

They Hear Something

It can be easy to forget that your dog’s senses are different and far more heightened than those of a human being. Because of this, your pup may be more likely to know when there’s an insect or a critter in the walls of your home. And oftentimes, they know this long before you do.

Although less likely, in this case, your pup may be eating the walls in a desperate attempt to chase down the culprit of the noises on the other side of the wall!

There’s a Physical or Emotional Problem

A dog who is eating the wall may actually be suffering from hunger or malnutrition. They could also have a disorder called Pica. This condition drives them to eat inanimate objects they shouldn’t eat, including drywall.

Chewing on the wall can also be a major sign your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. If this is what’s going on, your pup’s chewing will be motivated by fear and the emotional pain of being away from you.

They may be chewing the wall to relieve their discomfort. They may also do it because they are actually working hard trying to find you!

What Happens If a Dog Eats Drywall?

If you’ve just witnessed your pup sink his teeth into some drywall, you may be wondering if this behavior can hurt them or make them sick.

This situation is where things aren’t as scary as they look.

In most cases, drywall is not toxic or poisonous to dogs. Your pup may feel a little icky if they have eaten too much, but they will likely be okay.

But there are a few instances where drywall can be harmful to your dog:

A rare type of drywall called Chinese Drywall is known to emit toxic sulfurous gasses, which can be dangerous for your pup. This drywall was only installed in 100,000 homes in the United States back in the early 2000s. So, it’s not in most homes, but it’s still out there.

Another potential danger of drywall is that it may contain asbestos. Asbestos is dangerous for humans and dogs alike and may cause those who breathe it to develop mesothelioma.

Although consuming some drywall isn’t likely to kill your pup, I still recommend taking them to the vet if they have eaten some. Even if they’ve only consumed a small amount, it’s better to be safe than sorry and have your vet confirm that they are okay.

How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Drywall

You’ve learned why your dog may be eating drywall and what happens when they do. Now you’re probably wondering how you can get them to stop.

There are many ways to get your pup to stop eating drywall, but the solutions depend on why they are doing it in the first place.

If you think something may be wrong with your pup physically or emotionally, a trip to the vet may be a good place to begin. Your vet can rule out and treat anxiety disorders, pica, or other issues driving your pup to chew.

If your dog is chewing out of boredom, more quality time may be in order. Try adding more play time or another walk to their routine and see if they stop eating the wall.

You can also try giving your dog new puzzles, toys, or games to help ease boredom when you’re not home.

Another possible solution is to have your home inspected for pests. If your pup is eating at the walls because critters are hiding inside, getting rid of the pests may stop the chewing completely.

Tried these suggestions, and your pup is still eating the walls?

Here are some more things you can do to stop your pup’s chewing:

• Stay calm when addressing your dog’s chewing since big responses may encourage their behavior
• Reach out to a dog trainer or behaviorist who can help train your dog to stop chewing
• Try placing taste-repellant sprays like bitter apple on the wall
• Install anti-chew panels made of plexiglass or acrylic
• Look into corrector sprays which use sound and air to deter your pup from chewing

Put the Frenzy to an End

Sometimes being a dog owner puts you between a rock and a hard place. Dealing with your beloved pup eating your drywall is one such instance.

You love your buddy and know that they’re just being a dog. But you can’t take them tearing up your walls like the Tasmanian Devil anymore!

Luckily, you don’t have to choose between your walls and your pup. Whether your dog is eating the drywall out of boredom, physical, emotional, or other problems, there are many ways to get them to stop.

And while this habit can be destructive, in general, it’s not dangerous for your dog to consume some drywall occasionally.

With a little investigating, care, and effort, you can put an end to your dog’s drywall-eating ways ASAP.