Can Dogs Chew on Sticks?

The short answer: kind of. If your dog is mostly chewing and isn't eating the stick, that can be okay, but it also depends on what kind of wood that your dog is chowing down on. It's true that chewing on a stick can be a good thing - it can alleviate your dog's tooth pain (if they have any), keep them from chewing on other things (furniture, for example), and can be a great toy. 

However, ingesting too much wood, especially the wrong kind of wood, can cause terrible things like obstruction, infection, irritation, bleeding, and more. So, while it's likely not going to be the end of the world if your dog gets to work on a stick or two, we suggest trying to train them to leave sticks be and only chew on appropriate toys. 

There are, however, situations where your dog might have eaten too much wood or where sticks can cause harm. It's important that you keep an eye on your dog and stay aware! 

For example, if your dog is vomiting, having trouble with bowel movements, or has general stomach issues, it's possible that the type of sticks they've been chewing are toxic - black cherry, yew, and walnut trees are all toxic to dogs, so make sure your pooch is not getting near any of these. 

Additionally, if your dog's mouth is bleeding,  his teeth hurt, or he's refusing food, it's likely he has splinters stuck in his gums or mouth from his stick-chewing habits. He also might have swallowed splinters, damaging his digestive tract or his throat. 

If your dog is coughing, choking, having a hard time swallowing, doesn't want to eat or drink, or anything like that, the stick-chewing might be the culprit. If your dog is having digestive issues or constipation, it's also possible the wood he swallowed has caused intestinal blockages, too.

Additionally, a lot of puppies will chew because they have tooth pain. Chewing alleviates this pain, and if sticks are available, you better believe they'll bite on 'em.

 More than that, dogs are foragers. It's in their nature to run around, explore, and gather things that make sense to their lifestyle. If your dog is hungry or looking for something to bite, a stick is as good a substitute as anything, and he certainly can't tell the difference between a tasty stick and an appropriate chew toy you gifted him!

When it comes down to it, dogs chew because it's just something they do. To put it in a way humans can understand, chewing for a dog is a way to explore something. For us, if we're curious about something, we feel it with our fingers and observe it with our eyes. Dogs, instead, will chew and discover with their mouths. 

Just like people, dogs are nosy. They're curious, and they want to know what's going on. Chewing is a way for them to investigate in their own, doggy way. Dogs will also chew because their nervous, or because they like the taste or odor of the things they're chewing. 

First, you'll want to replace the stick with a toy. Every time you see your pup about to chomp down, grab their favorite toy and hand it over instead. Then, reward them for playing with the toy instead of the stick. 

More than that, you'll have to train yourself to be aware of ways to stop the stick issue. You'll need to dog-proof the yard as often as possible - including removing the sticks and the foliage from your yard. Do this especially if you have trees that are toxic to your dog. 

Also, always be prepared. If you're looking to play with your dog in the yard, bring their fetch toys. Don't just settle for a harmful stick, bring the fun with you!