When Your Puppy Eats Your Socks (and Why It Might Actually Be a Good Thing)

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Every morning lately, I’ve been going through the same routine while getting dressed for work. I pull on a pair of socks, only to notice the big hole or holes in the heel, mutter something unprintable, and then take them off again. The culprit? My puppy, Bud, who has developed a particular fondness for turning my socks into Swiss cheese when ever my back is turned or he gets unaccompanied access to my bedroom.

A Jack Russell puppy sitting in its bed with a toy while a hand holds a white sock with a chewed hole in it

It’s not just one kind of sock either. Sports socks, ankle socks, work socks — Bud isn’t fussy. If it’s got fabric and smells vaguely of me, it’s fair game. I’ve since surrendered the worst of them to his chew pile, which at least means my toes get spared for a while.

Since you arrived here for a puppy issue, you might also find my post Is Your Puppy Gulping Their Food Too Fast? My Slow Feeder Fix useful — it could help sort a problem or two for you as well.

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from the links below.

Puppies and Teething: Why Your Wardrobe is at Risk

In fairness to Bud, there’s a reason behind the sock destruction. Puppies go through teething just like babies do. From about 3 weeks until around 6 months old, their baby teeth fall out and are replaced by adult ones. That means sore gums, lots of chewing & biting, and unfortunately for me, an open season on my socks.

The good news? It doesn’t last forever. Once all the adult teeth are through, the urge to chew everything in sight eases off (though I’m not holding my breath about the sock habit disappearing overnight).

But Wait — Where Do the Puppy Teeth Go?

Here’s the part no one tells you when you bring home a new pup: you’re probably never going to see most of those baby teeth fall out. They’re tiny, and more often than not, puppies just swallow them while eating or chewing.

Don’t panic — it’s completely normal and not harmful at all. Those little teeth are small enough to pass through without any trouble. Think of it as nature’s very efficient recycling system. Occasionally, you might spot a tooth stuck in a toy, or even on the floor if you’re lucky (and if Bud hasn’t already claimed it as yet another chewable “trophy”).

So if you’re wondering whether you need to sweep the house looking for tiny fangs, relax. Puppies losing their teeth is messy for your socks, but easy on their health.

Fresh Socks to Replace the Casualties

Since my drawer is rapidly running out of wearable pairs, I’ve had to go hunting for replacements. If you’re in the same boat or just want to avoid wearing socks that double as ventilation. I have avoided using specific links here as socks sell out regularly and sometimes better deals come along. There are some decent options worth checking out: 

  • Men’s Sports Socks – breathable, durable, and (hopefully) puppy-resistant.
    👉 Amazon UK | Amazon Ireland

  • Everyday Ankle Socks – for when you don’t want your shoes to smell like a gym.
    👉 Amazon UK | Amazon Ireland

  • Thicker Winter Socks – less about style, more about surviving both Bud and the Irish weather.
    👉 Amazon UK | Amazon Ireland

Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Distract the Puppy (Before Your Whole Wardrobe Disappears)

Of course, the smarter move is not just buying new socks, but giving Bud something better to chew on. A few toys that have already saved me from losing half my laundry basket include:

Of course, the smarter move is not just buying new socks, but giving Bud something better to chew on. A few toys that have already saved me from losing half my laundry basket include:

Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

A Word of Advice on Plush Toys

I learned the hard way with a previous puppy — he had to have surgery after ingesting the strong nylon filling from a really cheap toy. If you’re buying plush toys for your dog, always check that they’re strong and the filling isn’t something that could cause blockages or damage to their intestines. It’s worth spending a little extra on good-quality toys that are built to last and safe for chewing. And if the stuffing ever starts to spill out, don’t take chances — bin the toy straight away.

So Why Did I say it might be a Good Thing?

Well, your puppy is obviously teething and certain materials when chewed provide them with temporary relief. I don't remember my own teething problems but I do remember growing pains in my shins being quite bad and hard to deal with. If chewing socks would have helped, I'd have done it too. 

The other side of the coin is that your socks become hard and uncomfortable over many wear & wash cycles and there comes a time when you have to replace the old ones. The puppy was maybe doing some quality control of your socks and found them to be lacking.

Buy yourself a fresh set or six from one of the links above, and let your puppy keep the old ones for a while. It’s a good thing after all!

Thanks for Reading,
David

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About the Author

I’m David Condon, a small business owner and blog writer based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. When I’m not in the workshop, I’m usually wrangling Bud, my lively Jack Russell pup, who’s been the inspiration (and the troublemaker) behind this post. From chewed-up socks to learning the hard way about safe toys, I like to share real experiences that might help other dog owners avoid the same mistakes.

Every so often I step outside my usual woodcraft writing to cover more personal topics like this one. If you’d like to read more, you’ll find a mix of posts about business, crafts, and everyday life throughout the blog.

💬 Note from the Author
This post was written specially for David Condon Finds. If you enjoyed it, you might also like my other projects:

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Location: Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 W2H4, Ireland

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