[newpitowner]

Is it OK for dogs to chew sticks? (I know, stupid question, sorry) Every time Sam goes out she's finding some kind of stick (or one is being brought to her :? ) and I don't know if I need to always take it away or if it's ok for her to chew on them.

Sarah

 

[SexyBlueChapps]

you mean sticks from outside??

I let mine chew sticks sometimes when they are outside but make sure they are spitting the peices of wood out not swallowing them. I wouldn't encourage it but most dogs do this as they have all have the need to chew.
You can go to your local petstore and get some rawhides for her to chew. It helps relieve stress.

 

[Knomad]

Like everyone its a lose lose scenario. While they are young they will chew sticks. I compromise because its impossible to enforce on two dogs. I let them chew but when they start breaking it up or chewing small pieces or spend to long on a stick I give them the "off".

Not sure if its bad for them or not, I worry about the splinters thats all.

 

[Kasco]

Definitely worry about splinters!

 

[bmarley]

Would this include bark (pine bark) mulch ?

 

[Knomad]

Bark is softer and id guess small amounts are probably good for them in terms of fibre and pooping well.

Moderation. Once they get older they will ease off, generally while teething 4-6 months they are a nightmare for chewing this sort of thing.

 

[sajoseph]

Sticks, riocks, concrete, shoes, and OMG the socks!

pencils, paper, papetowels, and I caught one dog running through the house like a crazy dog with the end of the roll of TP, just stringing it everywhere the other night!

Hubby ordered a new haed for his race car, costs $700. They chewed through the bos the other night and started to try and eat it as well!

A nibble on my table...etc


But sticks, oh yeah, their favorite!

 

[bmarley]

I dont know if this has a bad effect on training or the having appropriate behaivior INSIDE the house.

But when I get home Tyson and I go outside for the rest of the day/night until it is time for me to goto bed... He spends little time in the house awake running around...

 

[PitBullRoyalty]

I've seen two types of accidents happen with sticks.

One is where the dog swallows large splinters of the sticks with fatal results.
The second being the dog running with a stick in it's mouth.. you can guess what happens when they trip.

 

[angie7349]

I know it is impossible to keep evrything away from your dogs but I have heard horror stories about dogs and sticks.....A piece can easly get lodge in their mouths or stomachs costing a ton getting them removed