Why do dogs scratch the carpet?

It can be really frustrating when your dog scratches the carpet, especially if it’s brand new! The good news is there’s usually always a reason for this digging, clawing, or pawing behaviour, but you need to find a way to stop it before your flooring is ruined beyond repair.

Whether they’re an old dog that’s feeling a bit bored or a puppy exploring their new home, we’ve got a few ideas on how to protect your carpets from further damage. We’ll also look at what to do if your carpet needs repairing and suggest alternative dog-friendly flooring types.

In this guide:

Why do dogs scratch carpets?
How to stop your dog from scratching the carpet
What to do if your carpet is damaged
Alternative dog-friendly flooring ideas
FAQs

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Why do dogs scratch carpets?

Before we look in depth at how to stop this problem, we need understand exactly why dogs scratch the carpet. They’re not being naughty – in fact, a lot of it is innate behaviour and they would do the same thing in the wild. They just happen to be digging at your lovely silky soft saxony carpet rather than a patch of grass outside! Here are just a few of the reasons why your dog might scratch the carpet:

Boredom

Just like when cats scratch the carpet, your four-legged friend is telling you that they’re bored. Destructive behaviour is linked to boredom so if they’ve been stuck inside all day and not been out for a walk, they’ll be looking for a release for their pent-up energy. Dogs might also use scratching as a way to get your attention, like a cheeky toddler, to signal they’re ready to play!

Strange smells

Dogs have scent glands in their paws, so scratching the carpet is a way of marking their territory for other dogs. It’s very normal for a dog to do this, particularly if another dog has recently been in that spot. They also might be scratching at your carpet if they can smell something below the floor or in the walls, like a mouse or a rat. Eek!

Instinctive nesting

If you’re wondering why dogs scratch the carpet before they lay down, it’s all to do with their wolf ancestors. Out in the wild, they would scratch and dig at the ground to make a cosy ‘nest’ so that they felt safe before going to sleep. You might spot them doing the same thing with blankets. Female dogs tend to show this typical nesting behaviour when they’re in heat.

Anxiety

Lots of things can make a dog feel stressed, from loud noises to thunderstorms, to being left in the house on their own for long periods of time. Scratching or digging near doorways or in corners can be a response to feeling anxious or restless. If they’re only scratching when you’re not at home, then it’s probably separation anxiety.

Illness

If your pooch is feeling poorly or they’re in pain, you might notice they start destroying things around the house – your floors being one of them. They might be self-soothing to distract themselves from feeling unwell, or they could be trying to let you know that they need help. In this scenario, the best thing to do is take your dog to the vet to find out what the problem is.

Another reason dogs scratch your flooring is because they just enjoy it! These are natural, instinctive behaviours so it’s important to make sure your dog has the chance to dig and scratch somewhere safely, then everyone’s happy.

How to stop your dog from scratching the carpet

Once you’ve worked out the cause of your dog scratching the carpet, you can start trying the suggested solutions – before your carpet is threadbare!

Provide mental stimulation

Enriching your dog’s space with lots of toys will provide much-needed entertainment and help to prevent boredom. Try to include a range of toys that allow for lots of different mental stimulation, such as colourful and squeaky chew toys, and puzzle feeders that release treats when solved correctly.

Increase exercise

Some breeds require less exercise than others, but it’s still important that dogs go outside for a run about or a walk at least once a day. If you’re already doing this, then make the walks longer or try taking a different route so there’s new smells for them to discover. Getting them out of the house helps to release that pent-up energy and offers up new places for digging – plus it keeps them away from your gorgeous carpets!

Create a calm environment

If it’s anxiety or stress that’s causing your dog to scratch the floor, then creating a space where they feel safe and relaxed is key. Start with a comfy dog bed, include a blanket with your scent on and maybe a soft toy they can cuddle. Use pheromone sprays if they need extra help calming down and turn the radio on if they’re left alone so they can hear a comforting voice. If there’s fireworks or loud banging from building work, you can try playing soft and soothing classical music to drown out the noise.

Offer alternative digging spots

You can make a dig box using a cardboard box, strips of newspaper and some treats hidden at the bottom to encourage your dog to dig here rather than scratch at your new carpet. If they like burrowing into blankets, make sure you’ve got loads lying around that you don’t mind them getting their claws into. And as soon as you see the signs that they’re about to start scratching, you can train them to go outside to the garden so they know that’s the only place they’re allowed to dig.

Protect the carpet

If your dog insists on scratching the carpet in the same place all the time, you could cover up the carpet with a rug. Our carpet whipping service can make you a rug from your carpet offcuts, which will blend in nicely to your existing carpet. Then you just cross your fingers and hope that your dog doesn’t notice difference! Another option is to place an item of furniture over the top of it, so they can’t reach their scratching zone, but this might mean they just scratch in a different spot.

If their scratching behaviour seems new or obsessive, then it’s best to book an appointment with a vet to rule out any skin issues like allergies or parasites as well as any other medical issues. Depending on the result, they should be able to provide medicine if it’s something physical, or they might recommend training if it’s to do with their mental or emotional well-being.

What to do if your carpet is damaged

Constant scratching will eventually damage even the most hardwearing carpets. This usually looks like fraying in a doorway or a threadbare patch. We have lots of suggestions for how to fix a carpet depending on what the damage is and how bad it looks.

If your dog has damaged your carpet beyond repair, then it might be time to change it. Pop into your local Tapi store and we’ll help you get a new flooring sorted. We can arrange for professional fitters to fit your new carpet and get rid of your old one, or you can have a go at ripping it out yourself using our carpet removal guide.

Tapi Top Tip - Make sure the dog scratching problem is resolved before getting your new carpet or the cycle will continue!

Alternative dog-friendly flooring ideas

Sometimes the problem is the carpet itself, and a different kind of flooring could resolve the scratching issue.

Here’s some other dog-friendly flooring types you might want to consider:

Luxury Vinyl Tiles

If you’re looking for hard flooring, luxury vinyl tiles (or LVT) are a brilliant choice for homes with a dog. Firstly, they’re water resistant so can handle any little accidents or spills and they’re easy to clean too. Secondly, a lot of them are textured and slip resistant LVT so they provide a bit of grip whenever your dog gets the zoomies! Lastly, they’re incredibly strong and durable as their tough wear layer is scratch and scuff resistant to combat claws.

Vinyl

Another great flooring option for dogs, sheet vinyl is affordable plus it’s easy to clean. It’s also very durable and offers brilliant scratch, slip, and water resistance. It comes in lots of gorgeous designs like wooden herringbone, ceramic tiles, or stone slabs but feels softer and warmer under their little paws.

Laminate

Hardwearing laminate is a budget-friendly and pet-friendly flooring that looks just like real wood - but it’s much more durable. There are water resistant laminate options if your pets tend to splosh their water bowl about, or if they’re prone to the odd toilet accident. Cheaper styles of laminate can be quite smooth and slippery, so make sure you choose one with texture and slip resistance to provide extra grip for your pets’ paws.

Carpet

Carpet isn’t the most pet-compatible flooring type but the best carpet for dogs is a low-pile twist carpet made from polypropylene. It’s stain resistant, durable, and easy to clean – ideal for muddy paws and those whoopsy-daisy moments. Avoid loop pile carpets as your dogs’ claws can get caught on the loops, potentially snagging the carpet and hurting your pet, and steer clear of plush saxony carpets where dog hair can get embedded in the deeper, thicker pile. If you need help removing pet hair from your carpet, check out our guide.

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FAQs

Why do dogs scratch the carpet at night?

If your dog is scratching the carpet at night, they’re trying to create a comfortable place to sleep. This instinct can be traced from their ancestors digging at the ground to uncover softer, cooler earth below so they can snooze peacefully. Make sure your dog has blankets where they sleep that they can ‘dig’ down into and get cosy.

Why does my dog scratch the carpet before they lay down?

Scratching the carpet before laying down is another biological urge that dogs have. If they were sleeping outside like wild dogs, they’d be digging up the hard dirt off the top to reveal the fresher earth underneath that’s more comfortable. Dogs’ paws have scent glands so they could be marking their spot to ensure no other dog takes their sleeping spot.

Is engineered wood flooring good for dogs?

Engineered wood isn’t scratch or dent resistant so it’s not considered the best choice for homes with dogs. Sharp claws can cause marks and the floor is likely to become lighter in colour where your dog has been scratching and wearing away the real wood top layer. LVT is a realistic alternative to a wooden floor and its protective scratch resistant coating makes it a more practical flooring option for dogs.

At the end of the day, you know your dog best. These are just suggestions of possible causes why your dog scratches the carpet and ideas of how to stop them. If you’re ever worried about your dog’s behaviour or habits, speak to a vet. If you’re looking to make your place more pet-friendly, we’ve got guides on the best flooring for pets or you can watch our video below. Of course, our floorologists are waiting to help you find the perfect dog-friendly flooring so just pop into your local store or book a home visit and we’ll bring loads of samples round to see which floor gets their tail wagging!