Why Is My Dog Chewing the Walls? (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Donny is a beagle, and I have read that beagles get bored easily. He’s 2 years old and has always been well behaved, but recently he’s taken to chewing our walls — the corners, and the other day, the middle of the wall. He got a hole in it and then chewed more. We were only out for 2 hours! He has been left alone for 5-6 hours at a time since he was about 6 months old, so this is new behavior. What should we do? – Fred
Quick Info about Donny
Hi Fred,
What you are describing with Donny is quite common in young, intelligent hounds like beagles. Chewing on walls, particularly when it appears suddenly, often signals a mix of boredom, frustration, and possibly separation-related stress. Even though Donny has been comfortable being left alone for longer periods in the past, at two years old, he is in his prime energy stage, and his need for mental and physical stimulation is higher than before. Think of him as an athlete who suddenly has more stamina; if he does not get enough outlets, that energy can redirect into destructive chewing.
The best approach is to enrich his environment and give him jobs that tap into his natural instincts. Beagles are scent hounds, so puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and scent games are incredibly satisfying for them. Food-dispensing toys allow him to engage in natural foraging behaviors while minimizing hazards. Giving him a long sniff-based walk or structured play session before you leave will also make it easier for him to relax. Since this is a new behavior, I recommend ruling out any underlying medical causes, as gastrointestinal discomfort or dental pain can sometimes lead to abnormal chewing. If all checks out fine, focusing on structured exercise, mental challenges, and providing appropriate outlets for chewing should help reduce the damage to your walls. And, if you need a plan for Donny, you can reach out to our vet team at PangoVet; we are happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
– Dr. Paola