Many dogs enjoy chewing sticks; this natural instinct drives their behavior.
But if your pup brings home sticks that cause injuries during his walks that lacerate his mouth or throat, it might be time to switch things up. Chewing sticks poses a potential health hazard as well as lead to intestinal blockages.
Contents
They’re a Source of Dental Care
No matter the breed, chewing is an instinctive canine behavior that aids oral health. Chewing helps remove plaque and tartar build-up while stimulating saliva production which in turn neutralizes bacteria within the mouth.
Chewing on sticks can be hazardous for dogs, particularly if they’re made of wood and have not been thoroughly sanitized. Chewable sticks may break down into sharp splinters that puncture through to their digestive tract and cause obstruction or even laceration if given unsupervised; to keep your pup safe it is vitally important that only chew toys that have been designed specifically for canines be given out for chewing.
Bully Sticks made from beef tendon are long-lasting and safe to chew for hours at a time, featuring chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint and cartilage health. You can soak these treats in water, low sodium broth or sweet potato to add some additional flavour – they’re even great at fighting bad breath!
They’re a Toy
Dogs are natural explorers, and chew sticks provide stimulating textures they love exploring. Sticks may be slimy, brittle or rough for their teeth as opposed to the smooth surfaces found on food, treats or toys – giving their jaws something different than smooth surfaces of food items or toys can provide.
Chewing can help alleviate pain and stress for dogs. Teething can be especially uncomfortable for puppies, so they may try to relieve their discomfort by chewing anything they can find their mouth on; unfortunately many popular dental chews such as rawhides, bully sticks, and hard bones may not be safe for young pups as overzealous chewing may result in serious injuries to young puppies.
Sticks can block your pet’s digestive tract, so it is essential that they limit access to these long-lasting chews. Instead, offer toys or treat alternatives which satisfy their natural urge for chewing without the potential risk of blockages or splinters.
They’re a Treat
Dogs’ instinctual desire to pick up and carry objects like sticks is an ancient behavior, especially among retriever breeds bred specifically to bring game back home for their owners. Unfortunately, picking up and chewing sticks can become problematic for your pet because wood can damage teeth and break apart into sharp splinters that become lodged into his mouth, throat, esophagus or stomach if consumed too freely.
Veterinarians have seen numerous dogs brought into the emergency room due to stick injuries, often necessitating sedation in order to remove an impaled piece of wood that is impaling them at the back of their throats (known as pica). Pica can be caused by metabolic disorders; to avoid it altogether switch out sticks for chew toys instead; long-lasting ones made of coffee tree wood such as CANOPHERA sticks can provide long lasting chew time while offering soft surfaces which remove plaque and tartar build up while offering soft surfaces compared to sticks that require medical intervention – such as CANOPHERA sticks are designed specifically to do just this task while offering plaque removal with soft surfaces while offering soft textures compared to sticks intended solely.
They’re a Hazard
Dogs love carrying sticks while out and about on walks or hikes – however, some types of wood could pose major hazards for your pup’s wellbeing. Swallowing whole or even partially digested pieces could result in obstruction, infection, or even choking hazards for him/her.
Sticks swallowed by dogs can become embedded in their digestive tract or intestines and become lodged there, puncturing their throat or esophagus, and leading to discomfort and bleeding in their gut. Splinters may puncture mouth or gums or become lodged between teeth causing pain and bleeding.
Cadet needs a chew that meets their natural explorer instinct, such as rawhide, bully sticks or antlers (deer and elk naturally shed their antlers). Rawhide, bully sticks or antlers (deer and elk shed their antlers naturally) make excellent alternatives that last long-term while being made up of digestible single ingredient materials – plus many provide different textures such as slimy, brittle or rough surfaces to explore with natural curiosity!
