Dogs love sticks. They chase them, hunt them down, and chew on them. But is it safe for dogs to chew on sticks? Chewing on sticks can be okay as long as your dog isn’t eating them and the wood is safe. It can help with tooth pain, prevent them from chewing on other things, and serve as a toy. However, ingesting too much wood, especially the wrong kind, can cause serious harm like obstruction, infection, irritation, and bleeding. It’s best to train your dog to leave sticks alone and only chew on appropriate toys. Keep an eye on your dog for signs of stick-related issues.
Signs of Stick-related Issues
If your dog is vomiting, having trouble with bowel movements, or experiencing stomach issues, they may have chewed on toxic sticks. Bleeding, tooth pain, refusal to eat, and swallowing splinters are also signs of trouble. Coughing, choking, difficulty swallowing, and digestive issues could be caused by stick-chewing. Look out for body language cues like pacing, weakness, raspy panting, lack of focus, dropped ears, lips pushed forward, and ears back. Other signs include bleeding, inability to swallow, pus in the mouth, dilated pupils, vomiting, unusual bowel patterns, lack of interest in eating or drinking, choking, and lack of appetite.
The History of Dogs and Sticks
Dogs chew on sticks because they are curious, have tooth pain, and are natural foragers. Chewing is a way for them to explore and alleviate pain. Dogs are curious and like to investigate things by chewing. They also chew because they’re nervous or enjoy the taste or smell of what they’re chewing.
The Science Behind Dogs Chewing Sticks
Chewing is a natural instinctual behavior for dogs. It allows them to explore and investigate their surroundings. Dogs chew to satisfy their curiosity and to relieve nervousness. They may also chew because they like the taste or smell of what they’re chewing.
How to Train Your Dog to Stop Chewing Sticks
To stop your dog from chewing sticks, replace the stick with a toy and reward them for playing with the toy instead. Dog-proof your yard by removing sticks and toxic foliage. Be prepared with fetch toys when playing with your dog in the yard.
“Train your dog to leave sticks be and chew on appropriate toys instead.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ It’s important to monitor what type of wood your dog is chewing on, as some types, like black cherry, yew, and walnut trees, are toxic to dogs. If your dog starts vomiting or having trouble with bowel movements, it might be because they’ve been chewing on these toxic types of wood.
2️⃣ Be aware of the signs that your dog might be suffering from stick-related issues. These could include refusing food, mouth bleeding, coughing or choking, having a hard time swallowing, or showing changes in body language such as pacing, weakness, or lack of focus.
3️⃣ You can train your dog to stop chewing on sticks by replacing the stick with a toy every time you see your dog about to chew on one. You should also make sure your yard is free of sticks and other foliage, especially if you have trees that are toxic to dogs. Always bring fetch toys with you when you play with your dog in the yard, so they don’t resort to chewing on potentially harmful sticks.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Is it safe for dogs to chew on sticks?
– The short answer is kind of. Chewing on sticks can be okay if your dog is mostly chewing and not eating the stick, but it depends on the type of wood.
2. What harm can chewing on sticks cause to dogs?
– Ingesting too much wood, especially the wrong kind, can cause obstruction, infection, irritation, bleeding, and more.
3. How can I tell if my dog’s stick-chewing is harming them?
– Look out for signs such as vomiting, trouble with bowel movements, stomach issues, bleeding from the mouth, teeth pain, refusal to eat, coughing, choking, and digestive issues or constipation.
4. Why do dogs chew on sticks?
– Dogs chew on sticks because they are curious, have tooth pain, and because chewing is a natural instinct. Sticks are also a substitute for appropriate chew toys and satisfy their foraging instincts.
5. How can I train my dog to stop chewing sticks?
– Replace the stick with a toy and reward them for playing with the toy instead. Dog-proof your yard by removing sticks and toxic plants. Always be prepared with fetch toys when playing in the yard.
