Wood splinters easily when chewed on and shards can jam into the dog’s mouth causing an infection. Also, if pieces of wood are swallowed, it can cause intestinal blockage. Sticks can create very real and painful injuries.
Many owners wonder whether wood is even safe for dogs to chew on in the first place, and it’s a great question! Dogs seem to have a thing for wood, whether it’s branches, twigs, or your furniture!
Everything you need to know will be covered, including the fact that your dog probably shouldn’t immediately stop chomping on wood.
Four main reasons why dogs chew on wood: 1. Teething pains 2. Anxiety 3. Boredom 4. I’ll go over everything in more detail and demonstrate a few different strategies for how to stop this behavior.
Clubs Offering:
They might not be as safe for your dog as you think.
The proverbial “schoolyard rhyme” states that “sticks and stones may break my bones.” But if you’re a dog, they can hurt you even more.
Dogs are amazing animals, not the least of which is their propensity to put themselves in danger with seemingly harmless objects. Even though it seems unlikely that your son will hurt himself with something as seemingly unimportant as a maple branch or a riverbed pebble, it is possible.
The American Kennel Club’s 2005 Hound Breeder of the Year, Karen Staudt-Cartabona of Swartswood, New Jersey, is aware of this firsthand. A stick recently lodged across the roof of her mouth and stuck like a rafter between the teeth on either side of her jaw after one of her Borzoi bit it.
Staudt-Cartabona claims that dogs frequently paw at their mouths when something is stuck, but she didn’t observe anything unusual. She explains that because the borzoi are so stoic, they are not always aware of their pain. When she finally caught a glimpse of the pinky-wide piece of wood inside her Borzoi’s mouth, the dog’s upper jaw had already become infected.
Staudt-Cartabona cautions that such errant pieces of wood “can be very dangerous,” adding that she has also observed Borzoi accidentally insert smaller sticks between their teeth; in one dog, this unwelcome toothpick caused the tooth’s root canal to become infected, necessitating extraction of the tooth.
How Do I Keep My Dog From Eating Wood?
As with anything you don’t want your dog to consume, the key to preventing them from eating wood is to keep it out of their reach. Given your surroundings, it makes sense that keeping wood away might be more challenging, especially if you live close to a forest or other wooded area.
Pick up all the sticks, logs, and other pieces of wood you can find while walking your dog outside in your yard or wherever else he is permitted to go. While perfection is not required, the more you get rid of, the better. Cover your firewood pile if you have one to keep your dog from getting to it. To prevent your dog from accessing the wood, you might need to secure the tarp or wood cover.
Some Dogs Chew Out Of Boredom
Chewing is a remarkably entertaining activity for dogs to engage in. A dog that is well entertained is less likely than one that is bored to turn to eating wood.
It’s not always simple to keep Fido busy all the time. And he might refuse appropriate toys in favor of chewing on wooden objects.
Your dog may develop the habit of searching for sticks and chewing on them if you frequently use sticks for training and playing fetch.
Wooden sticks are associated with fun and games in this scenario, despite the fact that Fido might not be aware he shouldn’t chew on them.
Using toys that can be mentally simulated when playing fetch with your dog is a smart idea. Encourage the dog to play with suitable toys, which don’t include wood sticks, by rewarding good behavior.
FAQ
Is chewing wood normal for dogs?
It’s a natural instinct. Wood is a popular chew toy for dogs and puppies, especially if you play fetch with sticks. Dogs may also be unable to distinguish between an outside stick and an indoor piece of furniture.
What are dogs lacking when they chew wood?
Dogs who overly chew wood may experience nutrient deficiencies due to a lack of access to fresh nutrients, an insufficient intake, or an excitable refusal to eat. Other reasons for a dog to chew on wood include upset stomach, dental pain, learned behavior, curiosity, or overexcitement.
Why are dogs obsessed with chewing wood?
Chewing releases endorphins, relieving stress and mentally stimulating your dog. Dogs occasionally gnaw on objects made of wood out of stress or anxiety, especially when they are left alone at home. To fill the void left by your absence, keep in mind that your dog has no idea when you will return.