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Why does my dog eat used tissues? Is it dangerous and how to stop?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Poodle | Female | spayed | 8 years and 11 months old

Why is my dog shredding and eating used kleenex? We've put the trash cans up, and she doesn't eat new ones out of the box. Since we're trying to keep them away from her, she sneaks around at night and digs them out of the pockets of any clothes laying around. Recently she pooped what looked like a marshmallow which turned out to be kleenex.! We're afraid she might get clogged up from eating them.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on December 9th, 2016

The mucuous on the tissues probably tastes good to her, it tends to be salty. Poodles are extremely intelligent dogs and she may need something else to occupy her time. Make sure she's getting lots of playtime, long walks, runs, playing fetch, anything and everything to tire her out so she's less likely to misbehave. A tired dog is a happy dog. Also, consider getting her a kong toy or a rope toy (since the fabric texture is similar to the tissues, it may work as a substitute) to help occupy her at night. Consider a slow feeder or a puzzle feeder to make her work for treats or food to keep her mentally stimulated too.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    This is a quite common behavior. Somewhere in their genes is a "genetic memory" or preference for how certain "feels" such as how feathers or fur feels. This causes a real desire for shredding and mouthing things and tearing things up that can be associated with those sensations. Dogs might or might not swallow the tissue, as, once it gets wet, the feeling is different and usually the dog goes on to the next dry tissue. When it the has your scent on it as well , it is even more irresistible, and the fact that it is likely crumpled up adds to it. Unfortunately , the only way to keep Rachel from chewing used tissues is to keep them from her, ie, cover waste paper baskets, garbage cans, keep the bathroom door closed, and get in to a habit to empty out your coat pockets. Another solution could be to use a cotton handkerchief rather than paper tissues. Teaching your dog to drop a tissue, when you see it in her mouth or to listen to to you when you say now (for instance, when she heads to the waste paper basket) will help too, at least for those instances when you see her in the act. Keep her busy, increase going for walks, exercise, play, so she is rather too tired for "hunting paper tissues"

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