Five dangers of stick chewing for Dogs

We see it often - dogs running around with a branch hanging out their mouth having the time of their lives, but is it really safe for dogs to chew on sticks?

The short answer is no. They are made of wood, and wood splinters. Those splinters can be incredibly sharp. Now think about your dogs gums, their soft palate, or their intestines...you probably don’t want to. In truth, sticks can be a veterinary nightmare. Here are five dangers of stick chewing for dogs:

1. Mouth and Throat Injuries: Wood splinters are like needles they can get stuck between their teeth and gums or in their throat sometimes without you even realizing. This can cause pain and infections or worse they could nick a blood vessel.

2. Intestinal Blockages: Dogs are not able to digest pieces of wood; these can become lodged in the intestines causing a blockage which then requires surgery to remove and can be life threatening if not addressed immediately.

3. Perforation of digestive tract: Wood Splinters are sharp if swallowed they can puncture holes in your dogs organs, like their stomach. This can lead to major internal injuries and infection.

4. Choking Hazard: If a stick is chewed into smaller pieces fragments of the stick can pose a choking hazard particularly for small dogs and puppies.

5. Toxicity: There are certain types of trees and plants which are poisonous for Dogs. Ingesting them can severely upset your Dog’s stomach and in some cases require veterinary care.

There are many reasons your dog might enjoy chewing on sticks, but it seems to be an unnecessary risk which can easily be avoided. You can train your dog not to pick up sticks by teaching the “leave it” or “drop it” command. You can also provide a safer alternative such as this one from West Paw; it’s great for playing fetch, lightweight, and dishwasher safe.