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.
Why Is Wood Bad For My Dog?
The problem with your dog eating wood is two-fold.
2) What is the best dog repellent for lawns?
You can use a citrus-based spray to keep your dog or other dogs away from your lawn, but “bitter apple spray” is preferable. Many professionals assert that this is very effective at keeping stray dogs off your lawn.
FAQ
Should I stop my dog chewing wood?
Pieces of wood, socks, or shoes can result in blockages or intestinal perforations, among other serious issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to stop dogs from chewing both for their safety and your peace of mind.
What wood can dogs chew safely?
Harder than most native woods, coffeewood is very closely grained. For any dog, simply graded, dried, and sanded to provide a satisfying chew.
Why is my dog obsessed with chewing on 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.
How do I get my dog to stop chewing on wood?
To prevent dogs from chewing on wooden furniture, wood trim, or dry walls, apply a chewing deterrent like bitter apple spray. You can create your own deterrent by combining apple cider vinegar and spraying the resulting concoction on the wooden objects you want your dog to avoid.