Why I Don’t Throw Sticks for My Dog

Throwing sticks for dogs is one of the oldest games there is. Sticks are everywhere on a walk. They’re free, they smell of the outdoors, and most dogs will chase one without a second thought. I used to throw them without thinking too, until I learned what vets actually see when a game of stick fetch goes wrong.

Why do dogs like sticks?

It’s easy to see the appeal. A stick moves and tumbles like prey, carries the scent of the ground it came from, and gives a dog something satisfying to grip. That’s exactly why playing fetch with sticks has lasted for generations. It’s simple, it needs no equipment, and most dogs learn to expect it the moment their owner bends down to pick one up.

Because it’s so familiar, it’s easy to assume it’s harmless. Vets see a different side of it.

The biggest danger of throwing sticks

The most serious risk isn’t the chewing, it’s the throw itself. A thrown stick can land upright in the ground, and a dog running at speed towards it may not see this until the last moment. In rare cases, dogs run directly onto the stick, causing deep puncture wounds to the mouth, throat or chest. These injuries are uncommon, but when they happen, they’re often severe.

How common are stick injuries?

These aren’t unusual stories that only appear in veterinary textbooks. Surveys suggest three in four vets have treated a stick-related injury in the past year, and Direct Line Pet Insurance estimates around 1.4 million dogs in the UK have experienced a stick-related injury, ranging from splinters to more serious trauma. Most of it happens during play, in exactly the kind of moment that feels completely ordinary.

Can dogs chew sticks safely?

Many dogs naturally chew sticks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe.

Even without an impact injury, wood still splinters. Small fragments can lodge in the gums, throat or digestive tract, or damage soft tissue inside the mouth, sometimes leading to infection. Rotting wood can also carry bacteria that enter through even the smallest cut.

Sticks can injure the eyes too, particularly if a dog is carrying or running through woodland with a long branch.

What to watch for

If your dog has been chewing or retrieving sticks, keep an eye out for:

• Excess drooling

• Pawing at the mouth

• Swelling around the mouth or jaw

• Refusal to eat

• Lethargy

• Squinting or signs of an eye injury

If you notice any of these, it’s worth contacting your vet.

A safer version of the same game

None of this means the game has to stop. If your dog loves the chase and the retrieve, there are alternatives built for exactly that, without the splinter or puncture risk:

• Rubber fetch sticks

• Rubber balls

• Dog-safe flying discs

• Retrieval dummies

The stick was never really the point. It’s the chase, the movement, and the moment with you that your dog actually enjoys.

You don’t have to stop the game. Just change what you’re throwing.

Sources: British Veterinary Association, Direct Line Pet Insurance