Dogs and sticks go together like peanut butter and jelly. But why do dogs love to chew on sticks so much? And is it safe?
Why do dogs like chewing sticks?
Chewing sticks and twigs is a natural instinct for dogs, and dogs see them as natural chew toys. Not only do they occupy your dog and keep them busy, but it also helps to naturally strengthen your dog’s jaw muscles and clean their teeth. It also helps them with digestion and/or they might have pica.
Here are a few reasons why dogs might chew on sticks and twigs:
1. Twigs are tasty and help with digestion: One reason why your dog might chew on sticks and twigs is because they like the taste and the way it feels in their mouth. Tree bark and wood contain cellulose, which is a type of fiber that can be good for your dog’s health. It helps to improve your dog’s digestion system and colon health.
2. Your pet is anxious or bored: You might notice an increase in stick-chewing behavior if your dog is experiencing anxiety or boredom. When dogs are anxious or bored, they look for ways to keep themselves busy, which might include destructive behavior like chewing on things around them, which might include sticks if they are available.
3. Pica: This is a physical condition that drives your dog towards eating non-food items such as twigs, sticks, and bark. It is compulsive and destructive behavior, which can also lead to some serious health problems. Pica can develop due to depression, anxiety, boredom, or a lack of socialization or exercise. It can also lead to other kinds of medical conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), anemia, tumors, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. It can lead to vomiting and diarrhea as well. If you suspect that your pet’s compulsive chewing tendency is caused by Pica symptoms, then contact your veterinarian immediately.
Is it safe for dogs to chew on sticks?
It’s entertaining to see your dog walking proudly carrying a stick many times it sizes in its mouth. In general, this behavior is safe for your dogs and can actually be good for them when it comes to digestion, strengthening their jaw, and cleaning their teeth. It also helps from keeping them away from chewing your furniture! However, there are some risks from chewing sticks. One, some species of trees are poisonous to dogs. Two, the branches can splinter as your dog chews on them leading to bleeding or infections. Three, there could be external chemical contaminants on the branch like gas, oil, or insecticides which aren’t safe for dogs to ingest.
Risks of chewing sticks:
If your pet starts to eat the sticks they chew on, it can lead to intestine blockage, which can stop the food from passing. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea as well. If this happens, then your veterinarian may suggest an x-ray to determine the severity of the blockage and if surgical removal is necessary.
Here are some other potential risks of stick-chewing behavior:
1. Constipation: If your pet frequently eats twigs and barks, then they may face difficulties to pass the stool and suffer from constipation
2. Release of toxins: There are some kinds of wood that can be poisonous for your dog if ingested. Fruit trees including apple, lemon, and pear may consist of toxins that can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Your pets are generally attracted to these trees as they have a pleasant scent. Some additional poisonous species of trees include red oak, black cherry, black walnut, red maple, and black locust.
3. Bleeding and infections: Sticks and twigs can easily splinter and get stuck in your dog’s mouth, which can lead to bleeding and infections. If your dog swallows a big enough piece, it could also get stuck in their throat and cause choking.
Good alternatives to chewing sticks:
There are many kinds of healthy alternatives to stick-chewing for dogs, including:
- Carrots, which we wrote an entire post on here
- Bully sticks are made from natural bull parts. We guarantee that your dog will love the smell and taste
- Himalayan dog chews are another hard treat your dog will chew on for days
- Chewing toys
Chewing on sticks is a very natural activity for dogs to partake in. However, just because it’s natural and comes instinctively to dogs does not mean it is always safe, as there are certain kinds of trees and woods which are unsafe for your dog to ingest. Keep an eye out for the trees in your neighborhood and make sure that your dog doesn’t accidentally chew on any sticks or twigs that could be poisonous.
