First Thing’s First: Why Do Dogs Chew Sticks?
At their core, dogs are still hunters and foragers. That’s why they feel such a natural yearning to chew on sticks. Everything from a tiny twig to a big branch feels like a bone to the mouth of your pooch, so their predator’s instinct tells them: “Chew more! Tastiness awaits!” Once you’ve factored in a loving Owner who’s ready to throw the dog’s stick of choice, it seems like a perfect marriage. However, the simple stick can pose a series of health issues…
Leash your dog and walk him to an area where he is likely to find lots of tasty twigs. Give him lots of fuss and praise along the way. This is a positive stimulus for the dog. By giving praise and fuss now, you can “take away” praise and fuss when hes naughty.
Use chew toys during play and for reward. For example, when praising your dog for good behavior, give him a squeaky bone. He’ll associate the toy with the unbridled joy of receiving your approval. Encourage him to chew it by placing it in his mouth.
Give your dog chew toys when he goes for walks. Praise him and give him physical fuss for as long as he holds the toy in his mouth.
Give lots of praise while he has the chew toy in his mouth. With sufficient repetition, your dog will learn that picking up twigs results in the praise and fuss he was enjoying being taken away and that picking up chew toys has the opposite result. Over time, he’ll build negative associations with the twigs and further positive associations with the toy. Eventually, he’ll learn to seek the positive outcome of praise by ignoring the twigs.
Simon Foden has been a freelance writer and editor since 1999. He began his writing career after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in music from Salford University. He has contributed to and written for various magazines including “K9 Magazine” and “Pet Friendly Magazine.” He has also written for Dogmagazine.net.
What to do if your Dog is Eating Sticks
Your veterinarian will give your dog a physical examination and run some blood tests to find out if your dog is anemic and determine the cause, if possible. They may also be able to tell from the blood tests whether your dog has any kind of nutritional or mineral deficiency.
Digestive disorders are usually discovered with blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound. If necessary, the veterinarian may also decide to do a scope, biopsies, CT scans or an MRI.
Dental or oral issues are easy to find by doing an oral examination. Your vet may refer you to a veterinary dentist if your dog has anything serious that requires expert treatment.
Behavioral problems require a different approach. If the problem is serious, your vet may refer you to an animal behaviorist. In many cases, however, you may be able to take simple steps at home to help minimize the behavior.
To prevent anemia, you should make sure your dog is eating a diet with plenty of iron and visit your veterinarian for regular health check-ups. Routine blood work is usually how anemia is discovered in most dogs. Keep your dog up to date with parasite prevention.
A nutritional or mineral deficiency can also be discovered by blood tests and a physical examination. To make sure your dog is getting enough vitamins and minerals, check the label on the dog food you are feeding. If youre not sure whether it provides complete and balanced nutrition for your dog, speak to your veterinarian about changing your pets diet or adding vitamin and mineral supplements.
Digestive disorders can be improved by always providing your dog with a balanced diet and plenty of fresh water. There are also diets that have been specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs, so speak to your vet about the best nutrition for your pet.
To prevent dental or oral issues, check your dog’s teeth on a regular basis. Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to ensure good dental health, so find out what kind of dog toothpastes and toothbrushes are safe for your dog.
The health problems that cause dogs to eat sticks or that occur as a result of this behavior can be expensive to treat. To prevent high vet care costs, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Trupanion. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
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Finally, if behavioral issues are behind your dog eating sticks, its important to get to the bottom of the cause of those issues. Your dog may need to be assessed and treated by an animal behaviorist, or you may be able to manage these issues by making some simple adjustments to your dogs lifestyle.
For example, by providing adequate exercise and mental stimulation for your pup, youll reduce the likelihood of them eating sticks out of boredom. If they chew sticks due to stress, discovering the cause of their anxiety and removing it will help prevent the problem.
Treating your dog for eating sticks may cost as little as $5 for a bottle of nutritional supplements or as much as a several-thousand-dollar major surgery for an intestinal blockage.
Anemia can cost up to $1,200 for tests and medications, but expenses vary depending on what is causing the condition. An intestinal obstruction can require major surgery in some cases, which could leave you with a treatment bill of $5,000 or more. Dental problems may cost you up to $2,000 depending on the cause.
The cost of treating behavioral issues varies depending on the nature and severity of those problems. If your dog requires long-term treatment from an animal behaviorist, the cost is approximately $500 to $1,000 for an initial consult, and then the cost of subsequent visits can vary quite a bit.
Worried about the cost of treating your pets symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
11 Reasons Why Dogs Love Chewing On Sticks
Twigs are one such morsel; they’re a choke hazard, and they can splinter, causing cuts to the mouth. Break your dog from eating twigs using gentle training.