Can Dogs Eat Sticks? Why It’s Risky & How to Encourage Safer Chewing Habits | Pupford

We have probably all seen dogs pick up sticks while playing outside, whether it’s during a walk, in the backyard, or at the park. Many pup parents don’t think twice about it. After all, dogs chew things. Sticks are natural. So what’s the harm?

The truth is, while it might seem harmless, chewing on sticks can lead to serious health problems. From choking hazards and intestinal blockages to broken teeth and exposure to toxins, the risks are real and often underestimated.

In this blog post, we’ll explain why letting your dog chew on sticks is risky, what signs to watch for if it happens, and how to replace that habit with healthier, safer chewing behaviors (and what chews we recommend instead!)

Table of Contents:

1. Why Dogs Love Chewing on Sticks
2. The Risks of Letting Your Dog Chew on Sticks 
3. Teaching Healthy Chewing Behaviors 
4. When to See a Vet
5. Are There Any Safe Wood Chews?

Why Dogs Love Chewing on Sticks

Before diving into the dangers, it’s important to understand why dogs are so drawn to sticks in the first place. It usually comes down to instinct and stimulation.

Dogs have an innate need to chew. It helps with:

• Teething pain (especially in puppies)
• Exploring the world with their mouths
• Relieving boredom
• Stress relief
• Satisfying natural behaviors like scavenging and tearing

🐶 Why Do Dogs Chew? Understanding the Why's and How's of Canine Chewing

Sticks provide an easy and accessible outlet for those instincts. They're textured, portable, and abundant in many outdoor environments. Unfortunately, that easy access also means many pup parents allow their dogs to chew on them without realizing the risks.

I know my own dogs love to find sticks, especially giant ones that won't fit through the door 😆It's like the ultimate prize, right??

The Risks of Letting Your Dog Chew on Sticks

1. Choking and Intestinal Blockages

Perhaps the most serious concern with stick chewing is the risk of choking or intestinal blockages. Dogs don’t just chew, they often swallow parts of what they’re chewing. A sharp piece of wood can easily lodge in your dog’s throat, esophagus, or intestinal tract.

• Symptoms of blockage can include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
• In severe cases, this can require emergency surgery and can even be fatal if left untreated.

2. Tooth Damage and Mouth Injuries

Sticks might not seem hard, but they can cause real damage to a dog’s teeth.

• Cracked or broken teeth can occur from chewing on thick or dried-out sticks.
• Sharp fragments can puncture the gums, tongue, or roof of the mouth, sometimes leading to painful infections or abscesses.
• Splinters can become embedded in the palate or throat, creating a hidden hazard.

In short, what starts as a fun chewing session can turn into a costly dental emergency.

3. Toxicity and Mold Exposure

Many pup parents don’t realize that certain types of wood can be toxic to dogs. Examples include:

• Black walnut
• Cherry
• Yew

Even if the stick is from a non-toxic tree, if it’s been sitting on the ground for a while, it may be growing mold or bacteria. Ingesting moldy wood can lead to gastrointestinal upset or even more severe toxicity issues, depending on the type of fungus present.

4. Behavioral Issues and Reinforcement

For dogs who find sticks on their own regularly, this may reinforce poor chewing and scavenging habits. For example, because they are allowed to pick up and chew on sticks they find in the yard, why can’t they pick up and chew on trash or rocks they find? This may inadvertently be reinforcing unwanted behaviors and make it more difficult to teach skills like ‘leave it’, especially dogs who are notorious for putting everything in their mouths (we all know one 😉). 

Over time, stick chewing can become a self-rewarding behavior, making it more difficult to train your dog to chew on safer, more appropriate items.

💡 Related Reading: Teach your pup ‘Leave It’!

Teaching Healthy Chewing Behaviors

Fortunately, chewing itself isn’t the problem, it’s what your dog is chewing that matters. 

Chewing is a natural, beneficial behavior when directed appropriately. The key is to redirect your dog’s chewing onto safe, healthy alternatives.

Here’s how you can teach healthier chewing habits and keep your pup safe:

1. Provide a Variety of Safe Chew Options

One of the best ways to stop your dog from chewing sticks is to offer a more appealing alternative.

Pupford’s Engage line features chews specifically designed to keep dogs mentally and physically stimulated. From yak cheese chews to beef tendons and collagen sticks, Engage chews are:

• Long-lasting
• Tough enough for intense chewers
• Made from high-quality, limited ingredients
• Designed to satisfy your dog’s natural instincts in a safe, healthy way

By introducing chews like these, you give your dog a positive outlet for their chewing behaviors while protecting their teeth and digestive health.

🐶 Learn how to choose the right chew for your pup!

2. Use Redirection and Replacement

If your dog grabs a stick outside, avoid scolding or punishing them. Instead:

1. Calmly ask for a “drop it” or trade with a high-value treat.
2. Immediately redirect to something more appropriate to chew on like a bully stick or toy
3. Praise and reward once they chew on the appropriate item.

Over time, your dog will begin to understand that chewing the right items earns them rewards and praise, while sticks lead to nothing exciting.

🐶 Redirecting Your Dog’s Problem Behaviors: Examples & Steps

3. Supervise Outdoor Play

Preventing your dog from chewing sticks often starts with supervision:

• In your backyard, remove tempting sticks or piles of wood.
• On walks, prevent scavenging behavior by bringing treats for redirection or in severe cases use a muzzle. 
• Use cues like “leave it” to discourage picking up sticks along trails or in parks.

As your dog learns what is appropriate to chew on and as long as they have regular access for chewing outlets, you can minimize supervision and allow more freedom. 

4. Add Mental Enrichment to Your Dog’s Routine

Sometimes, dogs chew out of boredom or lack of mental stimulation. This is especially true for high-energy breeds or adolescent dogs going through the “chew everything” phase.

🐶 Canine Adolescence: Surviving the Puppy Teenage Phase

Try mixing in enrichment activities like:

• Frozen Kongs
• Snuffle mats
• Puzzle feeders
• Hide-and-seek games (or other fun enrichment games!)

These options not only burn energy but also teach your dog to use their mouth and brain in constructive ways.

When to See a Vet

If your dog already has a stick-chewing habit, keep an eye out for the following warning signs that something may have gone wrong:

• Coughing or gagging
• Drooling excessively
• Blood in the mouth
• Refusal to eat
• Lethargy or signs of abdominal pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Any of these symptoms may indicate an injury or internal blockage and should be evaluated by a vet as soon as possible.

🐶Related Reading: Dog & Puppy First Aid: DIY First Aid Kits, Treatments & Courses 

Are There Any Safe Wood Chews

If your dog loves the texture of wood, you might be wondering if there’s a safer alternative to sticks. The good news is yes, there is.

Pupford’s Coffee Wood Dog Chew is a safer alternative to sticks, made from the extra-hard wood of the coffee tree, this chew is:

• Durable and long-lasting, even for more aggressive chewers
• Low in splintering, unlike natural sticks
• Free from additives, caffeine, and artificial ingredients
• A single-ingredient chew, ideal for dogs with sensitivities

Coffee wood chews satisfy your dog’s natural urge to gnaw, but with significantly less risk than grabbing random sticks from the yard. They also help support dental health by gently scraping plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth as they chew.

As with any chew, supervision is still important, especially for aggressive chewers, but coffee wood is a great step up in both safety and enrichment.

Recap: Can Dogs Eat Sticks?

Allowing your pup to chew on a stick once in while might seem harmless, but the activity does come with potential dangers like internal injuries, mouth or dental damage, or toxicity from certain woods. 

Instead, upgrade your dog’s chewing options and check out our Engage line!