Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Do Dogs Eat Sticks? Decoding Canine Behavior (Vet-Approved)

dog eat stick

Dogs seem to have some sort of obsession with sticks; they play with them, carry them around, fetch them, chew them, and might eat bits of them. Chewing on sticks seems pretty normal. Sticks are multi-sensory with their woody taste and bumpy texture, which may also be a drawcard for your dog. But why do dogs eat sticks? Is that normal?

Most dogs will not purposefully eat sticks. Dogs may ingest bits of a stick they have chewed, but they will not consider a stick as a food source. However, if you notice your dog eating sticks regularly, there could be an underlying health issue.

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

Why Do Dogs Eat Sticks?

In general, healthy dogs usually do not seek out sticks specifically to eat them. Dogs will chew on a stick and may ingest the pieces they have in their mouth, especially if they like the taste.

But why do dogs chew sticks? If you have a puppy, you may have noticed that all they seem to do all day is chew on sticks, toys, and other objects around your home and yard. As well as exploring things with their mouths and curiosity, this is because puppies are teething. When new teeth come in, it can be painful, so your puppy may resort to chewing on things because it relieves the discomfort. The grooves and bumps on sticks do a great job of soothing irritated gums. Then, as they have bits of stick in their mouth, they might just swallow it.

Dogs tend to grow up chewing sticks because the behavior starts in puppyhood. But dogs still explore things with their mouths. So, dogs may find a stick with some interesting scents and tastes and start chewing it, ingesting some bits in the process.

goldendoodle puppy dog chewing
Image Credit: Tara Lynn and Co, Shutterstock

When Eating Sticks Is a Sign of Concern

If your dog is seeking out sticks to eat repeatedly or compulsively, it may be a sign of an underlying problem that needs to be dealt with.

  • Anxiety: If your dog has gone through any new changes, they might be struggling with anxiety and could be chewing and eating sticks to self-soothe.
  • Boredom: If your dog is left alone for long periods without anything to occupy them they may chew on and swallow things that they shouldn’t such as sticks.
  • Malnutrition: If your dog’s body is lacking certain nutrients that they’re not getting from their food, they may try to eat sticks or other non-food objects to access these nutrients. It’s important to feed your dog good quality dog food that is age-appropriate so that they receive all the nutrients they need to thrive.
  • Digestive issues: If your dog has digestive issues caused by things like worms, infections, or allergies, their body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients they need from their food. Your dog will need to be seen by a vet to determine what is wrong with them and to treat them accordingly.
  • Other medical conditions: Anemia can cause dogs to seek out inedible objects to eat, while other health conditions increase a dog’s appetite in general. Increased hunger is also a side effect of some medications.
  • Pica: This condition is defined as the persistent and repeated chewing and consumption of non-food items, such as sticks. Often there is an underlying behavioral problem but medical conditions, such as those causing nutritional deficiencies, need to be ruled out.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Sticks Safe to Eat?

No. There are risks to your dog eating sticks. Sticks are not digestible and can cause blockages in your dog’s digestive system. Some sticks have thorns, which can cut your dog’s mouth, while other sticks may have an insect hiding in it that can sting your dog when they pick it up.

Some sticks may splinter or break in half and hurt your dog. The bottom line is that sticks come in different shapes and sizes, which makes them unpredictable and a potential risk of harming your dog.

Some injuries that can occur when your dog plays with or eats sticks are:

  • Choking
  • Splinters going into your dog’s gums, tongue, and throat
  • Poking into your dog’s eye
  • Cuts from sharp points and thorns
  • Bacterial infections
  • Blockage in the intestines
  • Poisoning from toxic plants
  • Becoming lodged in the roof of your dog’s mouth
  • Impaling your dog’s throat

Although some of these risks are minor, some are serious and life-threatening and may require emergency treatment and surgery.

Dog Vet Xray Result
Image Credit: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock

What Are Some Alternatives to Sticks?

The truth is that your dog likely enjoys the act of chewing or the game of fetch more than the stick itself, which means that you can swap out a stick for something else without much of a struggle—something they will not ingest, of course!

If you’re playing with your dog and need something to throw, opt for a ball, rope, or fake stick toy. These alternatives won’t splinter, are non-toxic, and are designed specifically for dogs.

If you’re looking for a safer option for your dog to chew on because they’re teething, love to chew, or to help remove plaque, you can consider:

  • Hard rubber toys
  • Dental sticks
  • Kongs
  • Woven ropes
  • Nylabones

Make sure the toys you buy for your dog are age and size-appropriate, as some toys for small breeds can be choking hazards for large breeds.

golden-retriever-chewing-bone
Image Credit: Hollysdogs, Shutterstock

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

Conclusion

It’s a common behavior for dogs to chew sticks because they’re multi-sensory and can entertain your dog for a good period of time. Sometimes, dogs will eat sticks because they’re struggling with underlying issues such as boredom, anxiety, digestive issues, or a nutritional deficiency.

Unfortunately, both chewing and eating sticks come with serious risks. As well as being indigestible with the potential to cause intestinal obstructions, they can cut your dog’s mouth, become lodged in the roof of their mouth, and even impale their throat. If you want to avoid potential injuries, don’t introduce sticks to your dog when they’re young, and give them a variety of toys to play with so they don’t need to seek out their own entertainment.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Lucie1985, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Can Dogs Eat Nerds? Vet Reviewed Nutrition Facts

Did you drop a few Nerds on the ground that your dogs vacuumed up before you could grab them? If so, are these...

How Long Do Cocker Spaniels Live? Average Lifespan, Data & Care Guide

Cocker Spaniels are medium-sized dogs that were once bred to hunt but have transitioned well into wonderful companion dogs. They appreciate playtime in...

Lhasa Apso vs Havanese: Notable Differences (With Pictures)

Do you want a small, loyal companion with a friendly disposition? If so, the Lhasa Apso or the Havanese may be what you’re...

The Art of Nicknaming Your Dog: Tales from the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster (with Video)

Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every month, we ask our Dogsters to weigh in on a new topic. This week, we...

More related

Why Is My Dog Laying on My Stomach? 7 Likely Reasons (Vet Reviewed)

If you regularly wake up in the middle of the night to find your dog snoozing on your belly, you might feel very...

10 Dog Breeds Prone to Seizures: Vet-Verified Facts

Seizures—they’re a rare but terrifying possibility for any dog owner. Seizures happen when a sudden overload in brain activity leads to “shutting down”,...

How to Train a Dog to Herd: 5 Important Tips

If you’re planning to train your dog to herd but are a complete beginner, it can be hard to know where to begin....

10 Best Dog Foods for Skin and Coat in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

You might have noticed that your dog’s coat is changing for the worse, and you want to do something about it. Like human...

Keep reading

7 Best Dog Foods for Urinary Health: 2025 Reviews & Top Picks

While urinary health isn’t a very popular subject, it’s critical to your dog’s overall well-being. Kidney stones and urinary tract infections can be very painful and dangerous to your dog. In addition to the trauma on your pup, certain types...

beagle puppy eating from a feeding bowl

Can Dogs Eat Duck? Vet-Verified Health Benefits

It’s hard to resist when your dog is begging for a scrap or two from your dinner plate. But before giving your pet any people food, you should be sure that it’s safe to do so. Some human foods are...

Can Dogs Eat_Duck

Can Dogs Have Onion Rings? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

You love giving your dog a bite of your food every now and then as a special treat, and most of the time, that’s fine. Many human foods are safe (though unhealthy) for canines to consume in moderation. But this...

Dogster-Can-Dogs-Have-Onion-Rings

Life’s Abundance Dog Food vs. Blue Buffalo 2025: Pros, Cons & What to Choose

There are a surprisingly high number of dog food brands out there. Plus, each brand has different recipes, which all contain different ingredients and benefits. There are a huge number of controversies out there, too. You’ll find varying opinions about...

Dogster_Dog Food Life’s Abundance VS Blue Buffalo

Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary The Kirkland Nature’s Domain brand offers a limited number of dog food formulas in wet and dry varieties. At the moment, they seem to have about eight products available for dogs. However, they’re unsuitable for dogs who are...

Dogster_Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food Review

Redford Naturals Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Review Summary Redford Naturals is a dog food brand owned by Pet Supplies Plus, a Michigan-based pet supply company. It also makes cat food that is sold through Pet Supplies Plus. Redford Naturals is a relatively young pet food brand,...

Dogster_Redford Naturals Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review 2025: Pros & Cons and Recalls

Review Summary Purina has been one of the top producers in the pet food industry for over 90 years and has been a trusted brand for just as long. Since it has such a large variety of brands and recipes,...

Dogster_Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review

Can Dogs Eat Cassava? Vet Reviewed Nutrition Facts

Dogs are known for eating just about anything that they can get their paws on, whether it’s a piece of meat, something sweet, or even a vegetable. You may not think that a dog would actually want to eat something...

Can Dogs Eat_Cassava