Vet warns dog owners over ‘fatal’ habit when throwing sticks

A veterinary expert is speaking out against a common yet dangerous habit many pet owners have during walks. The expert is warning that tossing sticks can put pets at serious risk – and it’s not just concern of them swallowing pieces.

Jade, a registered veterinary nurse known on TikTok as @jade.the.vet.nurs, has gained over a million likes for her educational animal care content. Using her platform to spread awareness, she urged pet owners to opt for safer alternatives. As a dedicated caregiver to three dogs and three tortoises, Jade stressed: “This is a reminder to never throw sticks for your dogs.

“When you throw a stick, it can get stuck in the ground, and when your dog runs towards it at a high speed and tries to catch it in their mouth, if it’s stuck in the ground first and your dog runs over it, they can actually end up impaling themselves through the roof of their mouth. I have seen this before. It was fatal.”​

She further explained: “The stick went straight through the roof of the dog’s mouth, and it went straight into his brain and the dog died immediately. I have heard of this happening quite a few times and not only that, but sticks can splinter and then the splinters can get stuck in your dog‘s mouth, in dogs esophagus and in their stomach.

Overall sticks just aren’t a good thing to play with and I just cringe when I see people throw sticks for the dogs.”

Backing up her point, the Blue Cross have also issued a warning on their website. The experts further highlight that “injuries from sticks can range from mild to life-threatening, whether your dog is fetching a stick or chewing on it.”

Injuries can include:

• obstruction in the bowel
• eye injuries
• wounds on your dog’s body
• bacterial infections
• the stick impaling your dog’s body
• splinters in your dog’s gums
• choking on bits of the stick

Why do dogs like sticks?