Why Do Dogs Like Sticks? How to Give Your Dog a Stick Safely

If you’re a dog parent, you’ve likely noticed your furry best friend picking up sticks at the park. Here are just a handful of reasons why dogs love sticks:

1. 1. Plays to their gathering instincts: Picking up sticks fulfills the evolutionary hunting and gathering instincts endemic to most dog breeds.
2. 2. Excites their senses: Playing with and carrying around sticks excites many of the critical senses that dogs use to navigate the world. For example, the musky smell of a stick is unique to where your pooch found it. They may also enjoy the sensation of carrying it in their mouth.
3. 3. Sticks are similar to bones: Sticks have a similar size, shape, and weight to animal bones. Especially when they are teething, sticks may be particularly attractive to dogs.

Chewing or eating sticks is not safe for dogs, even though it is acceptable for them to carry one around. Your dog’s sharp teeth can easily splinter the stick, causing fragments to break off and harm their mouth and digestive system if swallowed.

If your dog loves sticks, it may seem harmless to let them chomp on one while walking or playing outside. However, before allowing sticks to become your pooch’s new favorite chew toy, consider these risks:

1. 1. Choking: Sticks can get stuck in your dog’s throat while they chew, making them a choking hazard.
2. 2. Digestive problems: Pieces of a stick can lodge themselves in your dog’s digestive tract, causing tears, bacteria build-up, and infections.
3. 3. Intestinal blockage: Wood splinters broken off of a stick can become lodged in your dog’s intestines, causing an uncomfortable blockage that may require surgery to fix.
   
4. 4. Poor dental health: Chewing sticks can crack your dog’s teeth, cut their mouth, and cause sore gums.

While chewing sticks is unsafe, dogs can still play with them without harm. Here are some tips to consider:

1. 1. Monitor their stick selection. It’s okay for dogs to pick up sticks as long as they don’t chew them. Pay close attention to the types of sticks they pick up (and the trees they come from) because some trees—including black cherry, black walnut, red maple, red oak, and yew—are toxic for dogs.
2. 2. Leave the sticks outside. You’ll reduce the risk of chewing by not allowing your dog to carry sticks into your home. Remove sticks from your dog’s mouth after each walk. When they drop the stick, give your pooch a treat for positive reinforcement.
3. 3. Bring their chew toys outside for playtime. A great way to keep dogs from chewing sticks is to provide them with an alternative option, like dog treats or a toy. Bully sticks, rawhide, or a kong with peanut butter are great options. Also, use a toy to play a game of fetch instead of sticks.
4. 4. Consult a vet or dog trainer if needed. If your dog chews and swallows pieces of a stick, call your vet and ask whether you should bring them in for an evaluation. Also, consult your vet if your dog obsessively tries to chew sticks or rocks, as this could indicate nutritional deficiencies or other medical conditions. Dog training is also a helpful way to change stick-chewing behavior.

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