Dogs certainly have minds of their own, and sometimes their strange behavior and habits can leave us scratching our heads. Today we are going to review one of our most requested questions, and it has to deal with a very common dog behavior: chewing sticks.

Why do dogs chew sticks

Dogs chew sticks because the structure and appearance of a stick or tree branch resembles that of meaty bone. While your dog most likely eats traditional dog food out of a food bowl, they still have an innate attraction to chewing on bones, as their ancestors did in the wild to survive. While sticks don’t provide the same nutritional value as a real bone, some dog’s like the dry, natural taste of a stick. Some stick even provide some health benefits, as they contain fiber which can help with your dog’s digestion.

Other reasons your dog chews sticks

Your dog may also chew on sticks because he/she is hungry. You should always ensure that you feed your dog at least two times a day. Also, your dog might chew on sticks if he/she is bored. Your dog may simply be chewing on a stick because it views the stick as a toy and an activity to pass time.

Is it ok for dogs to chew on sticks?

If your dog casually chews on a stick every so often, there is no need to worry. However, there are certain sticks and bark that are toxic and should be kept away from your dog. You should make sure your yard is clear of any fruit tree branches, as they contain toxins that can harm your dog. Additionally, you should remove all red maple and black walnut branches from your yard, as the toxins in these sticks can cause serious digestion issues for your dog.

If your dog is ingesting a lot of sticks, the small pieces of the stick can get stuck in your dog’s teeth or throat, which can be very painful. It is safe for your dog to chew on large sticks that cannot completely fit in their mouth. Most dogs will spit out a stick when they are done chewing it. However, some may ingest the entire stick. Try to encourage your dog to spit out sticks, and scold him/her if you see them digest it.  If your dog does ingest a stick, there is no need to panic. Your dog will most likely be fine. We do recommend immediately providing your dog with water to help guide the stick down the esophagus and through the digest tract.

How to stop a dog from chewing on sticks

There are two ways to help lower the chances of your dog chewing sticks. The first is to buy your dog a chewy toy that replaces the stick. It is much safer for your dog to chew on a real toy than a stick he/she finds in the yard. 
Another way to stop your dog from chewing sticks is to always make sure that your dog is being properly fed. If your dog is getting enough to eat, he/she will be less inclined to search for a stick to chew on.