Think Twice Before Letting Your Dog Chew on Sticks

This is a tough one. I’m so against paranoid media posts convincing people the world is an evil place, so I’m dancing on this subject carefully. I personally feel anything is dangerous if we aren’t aware of the possible consequences. Is it OK for dogs to chew on sticks? It depends, but I would certainly suggest caution when letting your dog chew on sticks, as sticks can most certainly cause harm.

If Your Dog Chews on Sticks, Then Take Sticks Away

Sticks are basically free toys for dogs. They’re littered around your backyard and range in different sizes from tiny twigs to huge branches. Sticks quickly become toys when puppies learn to pick them up and run around the yard. Plus, sticks are softer, which makes them easy and fun to chew.

If your dog plops down to begin chewing and swallowing stick chards, then it becomes a big problem. When sticks break off, even when chewed, they turn into sharp splinters, which can easily get stuck in your dog’s mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines. I’ve even seen stick splinters lodge themselves toward the top of a dog’s mouth and in between teeth. Swallowed sticks (whole or chards) will definitely cause intestinal obstruction because wood is impossible to digest.

Believe it or not, swallowing sticks is actually quite common. Pet owners usually find their dogs pawing at their mouths, drooling or refusing to eat because a stick is causing them pain. This almost always results in a veterinary visit to remove the lodged stick or splinter because the injury bleeds a lot and can cause further damage beyond piercing the skin.

How to Take Sticks Away From Your Dog

It happens. Your young dog finds a stick, then you begin to panic and chase him around the yard to take the stick away. Well, we all know chasing a dog always ends in frustration for us, but very fun for your dog. Instead of chasing your dog, play a game of trade.

Grab a super yummy treat and hold it out in front of you. If the treat is delicious, your dog will likely drop the stick to eat the treat (most dogs can’t do both :)). Now, don’t just give your dog the treat; toss it in the opposite way of the stick, so you can quickly pick up the stick and toss it in the trash or compost bin while your dog enjoys his treat. Trading your dog for a treat is the easiest way to teach your dog to drop things. It’s not bribery either. Think of treats as a paycheck; I’ll give you this for that. Everyone deserves a paycheck or allowance, right?

Use Soft Toys for Fetch Games

Sticks are just too hard for fetch games. They can easily shatter or knock out a tooth when your dog catches them in mid-air. Also, as scary as it sounds, dogs have accidentally swallowed or were impaled by sticks during a game of fetch.

Instead, toss an appropriate-sized soft rubber toy that gives a bit when your dog catches it. Soft rubber toys are less likely to harm your dog’s mouth or teeth. When choosing a size, I recommend a fetch toy that your dog can easily carry around, but still be visible when your dog holds it in his mouth. If a toy disappears in your dog’s mouth, it’s too small. Soft yellow tennis balls work best, but if your dog is large, choose a bigger ball. Remember, dogs don’t care if it’s a stick or toy; they just want to play with you.

Stick-Obsessed Dogs

If your dog is obsessed with sticks, I would recommend picking up and tossing sticks in your compost bin every day. If you don’t have time, then walk your dog on leash until you do. One good thing about removing sticks is it stops your dog from practicing stick-playing behavior. Now, add plenty of fun toys in the backyard for your dog to play fetch with and make sure to only play fetch with appropriate toys rather than sharp sticks. Soon, your dog will learn which toys to play with because they’re fun and forget sticks even exist!

Anything is dangerous, so I recommend redirecting your dog to play with soft rubber toys.

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