Why Do Pets Chew on Everything? Turning Destruction into Distraction

You walk into the room to find your favorite pair of sneakers-or worse, the corner of the sofa-falling victim to your pet’s teeth. It is a moment every pet parent dreads. While it is easy to view this as "bad behavior," chewing is actually a fundamental way our dogs and cats explore their world and relieve stress.

Instead of fighting nature, the secret to saving your furniture lies in redirection and enrichment. By swapping forbidden items for high-value nutritional rewards, you can train their brain to prefer their own treats over your belongings.

Here is how to use ZEAL’s unique textures and flavors to curb destructive chewing and master the art of distraction.

1. The "Jerky" Fix: Satisfying the Primal Urge

Pets often chew because they crave a specific texture that mimics the resistance of prey—something standard, brittle kibble simply cannot provide. When they don't get this tactile satisfaction from their bowl, they seek it out on your rug or shoes.

ZEAL Canada Air-Dried Food is the perfect solution for this sensory need.

• The Texture Advantage: Our gentle air-drying process preserves the meat’s integrity, resulting in a soft, chewy, jerky-like texture,. This offers the satisfying resistance your pet’s jaw is looking for, effectively scratching that primal itch.

• The "Prey" Experience: Because our recipes contain 96% meat and organs, they mimic the "nose-to-tail" nutrition of a wild diet. Giving your pet a piece of ZEAL air-dried food provides a biologically appropriate outlet for their chewing instinct, diverting them from household items.

2. Active Training: The Art of the "Trade"

When you catch your dog or cat in the act of chewing something they shouldn't, scolding is rarely effective. Instead, you need to "trade up"—offer them something significantly better than the shoe. This is where a high-value reward is critical.

• Why ZEAL Works for Redirection: To compete with a fun object like a remote control, the treat must be irresistible. The intense natural aroma of our organ meats (liver and heart) captures their attention instantly,.

• The "No-Crumble" Factor: ZEAL Air-Dried pieces are easy to break into smaller bits without crumbling,. This makes them ideal for rapid-fire training. You can interrupt the chewing behavior, command a "drop it" or "leave it," and immediately reward with a clean, meaty piece of ZEAL.

• For Cats Too: This isn't just for dogs. Cats often chew cords or plants out of boredom. The jerky-like texture of our air-dried cat recipes provides dental stimulation and satisfies their hunting drive, making it a perfect redirection tool.

3. Passive Distraction: The Ultimate Boredom Buster

Often, destructive chewing happens when you aren't looking, driven by boredom or separation anxiety. The best defense here is a good offense: keep them occupied with a long-lasting, delicious challenge.

You can create the ultimate "pacifier" using ZEAL New Zealand Wet Food.

• The Frozen Puzzle: Take a rubber puzzle toy (like a Kong) and stuff it with our wet food (like the Beef or Lamb recipes). Freeze it overnight. The pâté-like texture freezes well, creating a long-lasting challenge that keeps your pet licking and working for 20–30 minutes,.

• Hydration Bonus: While they work on their frozen treat, they are consuming 94% meat and organs with 78% moisture,. This keeps them hydrated and mentally exhausted, meaning they are more likely to nap than chew on the baseboards when they are finished.

4. Fueling the Trainable Brain

A focused pet is easier to train than a scattered one. Nutrition plays a silent but massive role in your pet's cognitive ability to learn new rules (like "don't eat the couch").

• Brain Power: ZEAL recipes are rich in Salmon Oil, providing DHA and EPA Omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are crucial for cognitive health and brain function. A nourished brain is more receptive to training cues and impulse control.

• Calming Digestion: Sometimes chewing is a symptom of physical discomfort. We include Ginger Root and Pumpkin to soothe the digestive tract and regulate the gut,. A comfortable pet is a calm pet.

By using ZEAL Air-Dried for active training and ZEAL Wet Food for deep enrichment, you turn the problem of chewing into an opportunity for nourishment and bonding.

Return the unconditional love™ by giving them something better to chew on—nutrition that mimics nature and protects your home.