🐾 Sticks – Not a Safe Toy for Dogs
After years of working with Labradors, I’ve noticed one thing – almost every dog has the same instinct: to find a stick, carry it proudly, and bring it to their owner.
It looks so sweet and natural, doesn’t it? But unfortunately, not everything that seems natural is safe.
A stick may look harmless, but it’s actually one of the most dangerous “toys” for your dog.
Here’s why every responsible dog owner should know that dogs should not chew sticks.
🦠 Sticks Hide Bacteria, Mold, and Parasites
Most sticks lying outdoors are damp, moldy, or partially decayed – a perfect environment for bacteria and parasites.
They can carry worm eggs (like roundworms or hookworms), mold spores, and harmful bacteria.
When your dog chews on such a stick, these microorganisms can easily enter their mouth or digestive system, leading to infection, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Vets often see cases where a “harmless walk in the park” becomes a trip to the clinic a few days later – all because of a stick.
🦷 Wooden Splinters – Small but Dangerous
When a stick breaks apart, it creates tiny, sharp splinters that can get stuck in your dog’s gums, tongue, or throat.
In more serious cases, splinters can travel deeper, causing injuries to the esophagus or trachea.
Dogs may start coughing, drooling, or refusing food.
Sometimes, surgery is needed to remove the lodged wood pieces.
As vets like to say:
“Sticks are small wooden bombs that explode in a dog’s mouth.”
🐶 Puppies Are Especially at Risk
When puppies are teething, their gums are soft and often bleeding – a perfect entry point for bacteria.
Chewing on sticks during this period can cause infections, gum inflammation, or even fever.
Instead, it’s best to give them safe, soft chew toys, like frozen teething rings, rubber bones, or natural chews designed for puppies.
🌳 Some Trees Are Toxic to Dogs
Not all trees are harmless.
Wood and bark from cherry, plum, apricot, walnut, and oak trees can contain natural toxins that damage a dog’s liver or digestive system.
Even a small amount of contact can cause vomiting or fatigue.
And since we rarely know what kind of tree that stick came from, it’s safest to avoid them altogether.
🩺 What Veterinarians Say
Veterinarians agree: sticks cause more mouth injuries than any other toy.
Common diagnoses include:
- split lips or tongues,
- punctured gums,
- broken teeth,
- lodged foreign objects in the throat or stomach.
Some dogs stop eating completely because every bite hurts.
And yet, all of this can be avoided by simply offering safe alternatives.
🪑 From the Park to the Living Room
Once a dog gets used to chewing wood, it’s only a matter of time before they turn to furniture legs or table corners.
That behavior develops fast – and breaking the habit later can be tough.
So it’s always better to prevent it before it starts.
🧡 Safe Alternatives to Sticks
To keep your dog’s teeth and jaws healthy, choose:
- Natural rubber toys (like KONG) – durable, washable, non-toxic.
- Rope toys – perfect for tug and fetch games.
- Natural chews – help clean teeth and keep your dog calm.
- Interactive toys with treats – stimulate your dog’s mind while keeping them entertained.
Sometimes, choosing between a stick and a safe toy can make all the difference in your dog’s health.
🐕 A Professional’s Word
As a breeder who has spent most of her life surrounded by dogs, I can tell you this:
Love means caring for your dog’s health – even when it means saying “no” to what seems fun.
A stick might look innocent, but the risks are real.
True love for your dog is shown not through indulgence, but through wise choices that keep them safe. ❤️
