Why Do Dogs Scratch The Floor?

November 5, 2022

There are many reasons why your dog may scrstch the floor. Scratching is a natural way for dogs to  reduce stress and exhibit dominance. Scratching also helps keep their coat healthy by preventing parasites, soothing itchiness, and removing oils from their skin that can cause acne.

There are several ways you can help your dog if they’re scratching excessively, as this could be a sign of an underlying issue. If your dog has started scratching the floor more than usual, consider checking out our article below to learn more about why dogs scratch the floor, what causes it, and how you can help reduce the behavior in your pet.

Identifying The Root Cause Of The Behavior

The first step in tackling the problem is to understand what the behavior is and why your dog is engaging in it. This will help you find the best solution to the problem, tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

To begin with, it’s important to determine whether your dog is scratching the floor, furniture, or their body. This will help you identify the cause of the behavior and whether it’s a sign of an underlying issue.

Scratching the floor can be a sign of many things, such as boredom, health issues, nesting instincts, or a desire to mark the floor as their territory. In order to stop dogs from scratching the floor and help them, it’s important to identify the root cause.

Boredom

Dogs can become bored when they don’t have enough physical and mental stimulation. This can lead to destructive behaviors like excessive scratching, chewing, and digging.

Boredom can often be resolved by providing your dog with more enrichment. Enrichment is the process of enriching your dog’s life by giving them more to do and providing new experiences that stimulate their senses.

This can be through toys and games, but enrichment can also come from outside the home. To resolve boredom, try giving your dog more daily exercise, adding more mental stimulation, like training, or providing your dog with more toys and treats to chew on.

Instinct

Some dogs scratch the floor as part of their instinct to help shed dead skin or to remove oils from their coat that can cause acne. Cats are known to scratch furniture to mark their territory. They leave pheromones behind that communicate their ownership of the area.

Dogs also communicate in this way by urinating and leaving scent marks on the floor. If your dog scratches the floor, they could be communicating their ownership of the area.

Comfort

In order to ease itching, dogs will often dig/scratch their nails into their skin. This can cause damage, leading to more itching.

If your dog is scratching more than usual, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue, like fleas or mites. If your dog has scratched their skin raw, check for fleas or mites by running a fine-toothed comb through their coat and checking for small bugs. You can also look for small black spots in their coat, which are likely fleas.

If you notice any of these signs, you should consult a veterinarian to get your dog treated. You can also help soothe your dog’s skin by applying soothing and medicinal ointments to their skin.

Medical Issues

It’s important to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing your dog to scratch excessively. If your dog is scratching one spot on their body, it could be a sign of injury or an allergic reaction.

When they're scratching their entire body, it could be a sign of an infection, allergies, or a reaction to fleas or ticks. You can rule out parasites and fleas by running a fine-toothed comb through your dog’s coat and checking for bugs, or applying a flea comb.

If your dog has any of the above symptoms, it’s important to visit the vet. They can prescribe your dog antibiotics or anti-fungal treatments to get rid of the infection. They can also check for underlying allergies or recommend allergy treatments.

How To Stop Dogs From Scratching The Floor

There are a number of ways to help stop your dog from scratching the floor. If the root cause of the scratching has been identified, you can solve the problem by addressing their needs.

If you’re not sure why your dog is scratching the floor, you can try using one or more of the following methods to help stop the behavior.

Limit Their Access

If your dog is scratching due to anxiety, you may be able to reduce their anxiety by limiting their access to certain areas of your home. For example, if your dog is scratching due to stress, limiting their access to your living room may help reduce the scratching in that room.

Provide A Scratching Post Or Ramp

If your dog is scratching due to an instinct to mark their territory, you can help to redirect the behavior by providing them with a scratching post or ramp.

Provide Plenty Of Toys

If your dog is bored, providing them with plenty of toys will help them stay stimulated and prevent them from scratching the floor. It’s important to regularly rotate toys, as dogs can quickly become bored with their current toy.

Provide Attention Each Day

If your dog is scratching due to stress, providing them with plenty of attention each day will help to alleviate their anxiety.

Make Sure Their Coat Is Hygienic

Make sure your dog’s coat is hygienic by brushing it regularly and removing any loose fur. You can also use a shampoo that is designed for sensitive skin to help soothe their coat and prevent them from scratching.

Contact Flooring By Sammer To Replace Your Damaged Floors

If your dog’s scratching has damaged your floors, you may want to contact a professional to replace your damaged floors. At Flooring By Sammer, we offer a wide range of professional flooring solutions for home renovations and commercial projects in Dallas, Texas.

From wooden flooring to laminate, tiles, and vinyl flooring, our expert team can help design a flooring solution for any room in your home. We also offer expert advice on how to maintain your flooring to keep it looking new for years to come.

Our services are available throughout Dallas, with many samples available and flexible booking hours. With a wide range of flooring options, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your needs. 

Once you’ve decided to work with us, don’t hesitate to Contact Us for your appointment. Visit our website to browse our full selection and learn more about our services. You can reach us at (214) 650-830 or sammer@flooringbysammer.com.

Final Words

Scratching is a natural way for dogs to shed dead hair, reduce stress, and exhibit dominance. Scratching also helps soothe itchiness and remove oils from their skin that can cause acne. 

There are several ways you can help your dog if they’re scratching excessively, as this could be a sign of an underlying issue. By better understanding why your dog is scratching and what causes it, you can better address the problem and help your dog.

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