Why Do Dogs Make Nests?

It’s adorable to see your dog burrow into blankets on a cold winter night. However, in some cases, nest-making can indicate signs of pregnancy or false pregnancy. Although it’s normal for some dogs to cuddle under blankets or scratch out some dirt to sleep in, burrowing into a closet or other more serious nesting behavior might be a bad sign.

Why Do Dogs Make Nests?

Several serious illnesses can increase the likelihood of your dog experiencing a false pregnancy, a major cause of nesting behavior. If your dog isn’t spayed, she could be pregnant.

Sometimes, a dog creates a nest simply because it is a comfier way to sleep. Who can blame a dog for wanting to drag her bed into the sun or burrow under blankets? However, more serious behaviors, like shredding blankets, digging into small spaces, or over-grooming, often indicate pregnancy, real or imagined.

Nests Are Comfortable

This is the most benign reason for your dog to make a nest. Whether observing a chilly greyhound burrow into blankets or a hot husky scratch out some cool dirt, nest-making is normal for many dogs. Some are habitual nest-makers, arranging blankets and bedding to their liking daily, while others might only nest when particularly uncomfortable

If your dog is male, this is the most likely reason he's building a nest. Spayed females without ovaries are also less prone to false pregnancy. For most dogs, nesting is a natural, mundane activity. It’s just a sign of a smart dog getting cozy!  

However, nest-making behavior that seems compulsive, stress-based, or pain-driven needs attention. Consult your vet if you notice such behavior.

Your Dog Is Pregnant

If your dog is an intact female, there’s a chance that her nesting behavior is related to pregnancy. Expecting mothers naturally want to make a safe area for their newborn puppies. Even if you didn’t realize your dog went into heat or you don’t think she ran into any intact males while she was in heat, there’s a good chance that your female dog’s nesting behavior is due to pregnancy.

Take your dog to a vet promptly to determine if she is pregnant. The vet can ensure that the mother and her new puppies get all the care that they need. Even if your dog seems in good shape, working closely with your vet is imperative to keep the mother and the puppies healthy!

Intact females, and even some spayed females, can experience a false pregnancy. Refer below to learn more about this phenomenon.

Your Dog Thinks She’s Pregnant

False pregnancy, referred to as pseudopregnancy by vets and scientists, occurs when a female dog's body is tricked into thinking she is pregnant. Symptoms can include physical and behavioral signs like weight gain, nest making, enlarged mammary glands, appetite loss, vomiting, collecting objects, and even aggression.

A recent study on pseudopregnancy found that most dogs who experience pseudopregnancy are intact, but it’s still possible in spayed dogs. False pregnancies generally occur within four to nine weeks of the female’s last heat cycle, especially if she ran into any male dogs during her heat cycle but didn’t become pregnant. Behavioral changes, such as nesting and collecting objects, are more common than physical changes. About half of the dogs in the study were treated with medication to help end the pseudopregnancy.

While false pregnancy is not well studied or understood, certain medical conditions can cause irregular heat cycles, leading to more frequent false pregnancies. Although it's a stretch to attribute nesting behavior directly to these diseases due to uncertain connections, consulting your vet is advisable. Both hypothyroidism and liver dysfunction might be possibly linked to false pregnancies (and therefore nesting behavior).

Signs of Dogs Making Nests

Definitions of nest-making behavior in dogs vary among individuals. For some, a dog dragging their blanket into the sun constitutes nesting, while others consider true nesting to involve burrowing, bedding shredding, and extensive grooming.

Nesting behaviors include:

• Dragging blankets or beds to a new spot
• Digging or burrowing into small spaces
• Scratching out dirt, soil, or even bedding to create a depression
• Shredding blankets to put into a given spot

Dogs that are pregnant or experiencing a false pregnancy might also collect toys or stuffed animals, over-groom, or start to defend their nest from intruders.

How to Solve Your Dog's Nest-Making Habit

If your dog habitually makes nests for comfort, there’s no need to worry. Purchase inexpensive blankets specifically for your pup that you won't mind getting shredded or dragged. However, if you notice sudden changes in your dog’s nesting behavior, it's essential to consult the vet. Vet visits are crucial for both true and false pregnancies, as both may need medical intervention.

Filming your dog’s new behaviors can aid in diagnosis. Record your dog’s body postures, eating habits, and other pertinent details to adequately address your vet’s questions during the visit.