Every dog owner has seen it: Your pup, complete with slobbery tongue and a big grin, holding a gnawed-on branch in its mouth. Dog treats and chews are great for keeping your canine friend occupied, but dogs seem to have a preference for sticks out of all the available options.
A study published in “The American Naturalist” presents an explanation for this behavior. The research suggests that wild dogs use tree branches to help them gauge their position while running through forests at night or when they can’t see where they’re going due to darkness.
According to LiveScience, the scientists studied forest-living maned wolves because these animals “spend most of their time on the ground,” just like domestic dogs do compare to other wild canines. A human observer followed the maned wolves wearing a special hat with branches attached to it.
The research found that the wolf’s head and mouth were kept at a level matching that of the branches they were holding, suggesting that they used these props to navigate through dense forests.
However, this doesn’t explain why dogs walk around with sticks in their mouths even when there are no trees around nor why many chew on them even if they’re not hungry or tired. Most pet owners know that giving your dog a stick isn’t exactly safe since it could break your dog’s teeth or cause serious injury by choking on splinters or pieces of wood broken off after long chewing sessions. Fortunately, you have plenty of healthier options for dog treats and chews to satisfy your dog’s need to chew.
Keep your dog out of trouble and engage its brain with KONG toys. These durable, natural rubber items come in a variety of shapes and sizes and require your pup to lick or nudge treats out before they can be stuffed back inside for more fun.
You can also offer one of our firm 100% USDA-inspected rawhide chews like our Yummy Chummies Chicken Feet or Yummy Chummies Beef Tails. Both are filled with delicious chicken or beef that your canine will love chewing on for hours.
For a special treat try giving your pooch an Everlasting Treat Ball. This toy provides endless entertainment as it dispenses small bits of food overtime when the dog nudges the ball around to release pieces from a small hole.
Your dog is not only chewing on sticks out of boredom or instinct, but it may also be trying to tell you something. If your pet chews constantly and has recently started climbing trees, Yellon says this behavior could indicate a urinary tract infection.
These infections make dogs feel uncomfortable and can lead them to try to climb onto elevated objects such as furniture or even into the branches of a tree in an attempt to urinate. Urinary tract infections are painful and cause discomfort for pets, so you should go immediately to the vet if you notice these symptoms. Also, take note of any changes in general behavior: does your dog seem more aggressive than usual?
Is it constantly licking its mouth or genitals? Such changes could indicate a medical condition that you should get checked out.
Is it OK for dogs to chew on sticks?
It can be OK under certain circumstances, but it’s probably not the best choice. If your dog is chewing on a branch out of instinct or boredom, you can choose to give him something he will like almost as much. Instead of giving him sticks to chew, try some of our durable toys like Kongs or rawhide chews.
If your dog is chewing on sticks because he’s being aggressive, you should have him checked by a professional. You may have other issues to deal with besides his drive to chew on sticks, so it doesn’t hurt to get help from a professional.
Why does my dog want to chew on sticks?
There are several reasons why your dog might want to chew on a stick. It could be an instinctual behavior, foraging for food, or in the wild, they would have to chew on sticks to keep their teeth in working condition so they can protect themselves from predators.
Why does my dog climb trees?
In most cases, your dog is trying to get away from something and is using the tree as a vantage point. If you’re seeing him go up on his hind legs and climb onto things such as furniture or trees, it may be time for you to take him to the vet just to make sure that everything is OK with him health-wise.
How do I get my dog to stop eating sticks?
If your dog is chewing on sticks out of instinct or boredom, you can choose to give him something he will like almost as much. Try a Kong toy filled with peanut butter, kibble, or treats. If your dog is chewing on sticks because he’s being aggressive, you should have him checked by a professional.
You may have other issues to deal with besides his drive to chew on sticks, so it doesn’t hurt to get help from a professional.
Why does my dog climb onto things?
In most cases, your dog is trying to get away from something and is using the tree as a vantage point. If you’re seeing him go up on his hind legs and climb onto things such as furniture or trees, it may be time for you to take him to the vet just to make sure that everything is OK with him health-wise.
Why does my dog eat poop?
If your dog eats their feces or other fecal matter, there are several medical reasons he might do this including dietary deficiencies and the fact that he may have a parasite or infection.
It could also be psychological or behavioral with the dog associating poop with food. If your dog is eating his feces, there are likely medical issues involved and you should bring him to the vet for an examination as soon as possible for treatment if this is the case.
[…] can focus on one thing for a long period without becoming distracted. This is often the case with dogs who like to chew or obsessively lick their paws until they are […]