Who hasn’t seen a dog happily running after a stick that has just been thrown to him? Perhaps one of the most universal images of the bond between a human being and a dog. After the “capture” and the triumphant return with the stick, the ritual ends with nibbling, when the dog lies down satisfied, places the stick between its paws and patiently gnaws it. For many people, this scene symbolizes the essence of canine joy and this is how it has been captured in tens of thousands of literary and audiovisual works. But what seems like an innocent and natural gesture (and it is partly the case) can also hide more risks than we think.
Chewing is part of a dog’s normal behavior. Since they were puppies, they have explored the world with their mouths: they bite, suck, gnaw, carry objects. This impulse has a biological and emotional basis, as it helps them relieve dental pain, relieve stress and anxiety, entertain themselves when bored, and clean and strengthen their teeth. Biting is, ultimately, a way to channel energy and maintain emotional balance.
However, not all objects are the same Not all materials are safe. And this is where the eternal protagonist of parks and walks comes in: the stick.
Is a costume worth it?
No, absolutely no. Veterinarian Sarah Cortright, project director Community of outsiders from Los Angeles, USA, explains in a Kinship article that “although biting is an instinctive and healthy behavior, not everything they want to bite is safe.” Sticks, for example, can get into splinters, lodge between the teeth or dig into the gums and palate.
Additionally, not all trees produce harmless wood. Some species, such as cherry, walnut or holly, contain toxic substances for dogs. and the green sticks, recently fallen or with remaining sapare particularly problematic because, being softer, they fragment easily and release irritating plant compounds. Dry ones, on the other hand, can break more easily.
As if that weren’t enough, sticks found in parks or forests can be contaminated with fungi, bacteria or remains of pesticidesespecially if they come from treated areas. Being strict from a veterinary point of view, there is no one type of stick that is completely safe.
What benefits does this have, if any?
The positive side of the problem is that the action of chewing has benefits for dogs. This allows them to exercise their jaw muscles, reduce stress and, in a way, satisfy an ancient hunting instinct. It is a behavior that generates pleasure because it releases endorphins.
But these effects do not depend on the material itself, but on the act of biting. Therefore, any safe alternative can provide the same benefits without the dangers of wood, such as toys made of rubber or flexible materials designed specifically for dogs. A good rule of thumb is: If you can’t mark the toy with your fingernail, it’s probably too difficult. and can fracture a tooth.
Sticks, on the other hand, are irregular objects, not designed to withstand constant pressure. Additionally, the risk is not just in the splinters, but even a small splinter can get stuck and cause infections, or worse, be ingested and cause intestinal obstruction.
What should you prevent from chewing?
In the group of unfit These include natural cooked bones (which break easily), antlers, antlers, and excessively hard toys. All of them can fracture teeth or cause internal injuries.
In the same Kinship article, the veterinary director of a hospital in Palo Alto, California, warns that “Sticks may seem harmless, but they are a common cause of veterinary emergencies”. The most common problems include splinters embedded in the tongue or palate, puncture wounds, infections due to bacteria present in the wood, or even choking episodes due to large fragments.
You also need to pay attention to what happens during play. Running with a stick in your mouth can be as dangerous, if not more so, than biting a stick. There have been documented cases of perforations severe damage to the palate or throat caused by inertia of movement.
When to worry?
If the dog has chewed wood, you should carefully check its mouth. Bleeding, inflammation, bad breath or even difficulty closing the mouth are warning signs. General symptoms such as coughing, gagging, vomiting, refusal to eat, or lethargy should also be cause for concern.
A splinter stuck in the mouth may seem like a minor nuisance, but if the dog swallows or aspirates it, it can cause deep infections or damage to the esophagus and stomach. In these cases, the most prudent thing is to go to the veterinarian without delay.
Experts point out that dogs tend to hide pain and discomfort, so the absence of symptoms does not always equate to the absence of a problem. If in doubt, it’s best to check.
Bite yes, but with responsibility
The relationship between dogs and sticks is as iconic as it is misleading. What we have associated for generations with play and happiness can actually have serious consequences. Allowing a dog to chew on a stick on the ground that you haven’t checked or doesn’t know where it came from is, in a way, like letting a child play with glass. Nothing can happen…or many things can happen.
Biting is a real and healthy need for dogsbut also a responsibility for those who live with them. The best way to keep this instinct alive without putting them in danger is to offer them safe alternatives, with appropriate toys, provide them with environmental enrichment and provide them with stimulating walks.
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