Is Chewing Sticks Harmful?

[Joypod]

I've done a search on this but can't find an answer.

Gus is really into chewing sticks. He loves them. He doesn't swallow them but I'm sure tiny bits go down at some stage. He's only 14 weeks old. Would it be doing him (eg innards or teeth/gums) any harm?

Thanks

[RachelleBuck]

I don't let my dogs go near sticks. They can course a deal deal of damage if gets lodged in his mouth, he may slip and it get lodged in the roof of his mouth or anything. He would be teething I would guess and maybe a stick like toy might help with the pain he is feeling

Good luck finding something else for him to chew on!!!!

[Joypod]

Thanks RachellBuck. That's the trick isn't it? Finding something else he likes chewing just as much. He's got a Kong (not interested), some other Kong like chew toy (not interested), another plastic chew toy that again, he's not interested in.

If they're bad for him, I really don't know how I can stop him from getting them. We've got a fairly large which is full of sticks.

[Cockerlover]

Sticks & dogs a bad combo!!can do a lot of damage; especially to pups ;have you tried raw cold carrots good for teething pups& also cleans the teeth

[Joypod]

Thanks Cockerlover. I'll give that a go.

[Bonmedia]

Thanks Cockerlover. I'll give that a go.

Hi, As others have advised chewing sticks is not a good idea. If one gets stuck in mouth or throat you are in trouble. Try setting puppy up. Place a few sticks around in a clump, and cover them with some foul tasting substance. ( Chilli, Hot Pepper ) or something like that. See if that will assist with the problem. You will have to watch him when you do this, and be prepared to spend a little time.

Its never really known why, but some dogs will always want to chew sticks.

Hope this helps.

Bonmedia.

[Poodle wrangler]

I've had to use pliers to get a bit of stick out from across the roof of one dog's mouth. The other had one stuck up there and showed no signs whatsoever- was only that I check him over at least weekly that I found it. Decomposed stick would have stunk pretty soon .

[blacklabrador]

I've had to reach (with my bare hand) into T bone's gaping jaws more than once to retrieve a bit of stick wedged across the roof of his mouth. It's scary!! He tends to chew up a stick if we've been playing "fetch" with it and he is too tired to play anymore. He destroys the toy so the game has to end. He disciplines me in many ways

[wylie]

Sticks and dogs are a big no no!!

My old girl had major surgery at 9 months old cos she nearly severed her tongue off with a stick. She was lucky i noticed she had blood in her mouth as there was nothing else to point to a problem at the time. She was taken to the vets where it was discovered how bad it really was.

Sticks are banned in this household.

They can chew old tiny tyres, large balls and fluffy squeaky toys all they like. Bones galore but definitely no sticks here.

[BelgianPup]

Have you tried raw hide chews? You can get them from the super market, lots of different brands but there's one for 'persistent chewers.' It comes in a range of sizes. Tasy and stick like... our pup adores them. Good luck