A dog joyfully fetching a stick in the park is a familiar and heartwarming sight for many. However, this traditional game can quickly turn into a nightmare and end up at the veterinary emergency room.<\/p>\n
We explain why you should not throw sticks for dogs<\/strong> and provide tips for safer and more enjoyable games.<\/p>\n Although sticks are free and always available, the injuries they cause are often serious and costly to treat. Many owners do not prepare for the risks until the damage has already occurred.<\/p>\n Mouth and throat injuries are the most common and obvious danger of stick play. Sharp splinters and shards can easily break off from wood and penetrate a dog’s gums, tongue, palate, or throat. In the worst case, a sharp stick can puncture the soft tissues of the mouth, causing a painful, rapidly inflamed wound. In our work, we constantly see how a harmless moment suddenly requires veterinary intervention and a long recovery.<\/p>\n A piece of stick can break off and get lodged in a dog’s trachea when swallowed. This is an immediate emergency. If a sharp piece reaches the digestive tract, it can puncture the oesophagus, stomach, or intestines. Internal bleeding and inflammation can be life-threatening. Foreign body surgery is expensive and a heavy procedure for the dog, which can often be avoided with the right toy choices.<\/p>\n In a fast-paced game of fetch, a dog can collide with a stick that is sticking upright in the ground. This can result in an extremely painful eye injury, which in the worst case can lead to loss of vision or the removal of the entire eye. The risk is simply too great.<\/p>\n You can never be sure what is on a stick lying on the ground. Not all types of wood are safe for dogs \u2013 for example, yew is toxic. Decaying wood can also harbour harmful fungi, mould, and bacteria that can cause stomach issues or more serious infections in dogs.<\/p>\n A hard, dry stick is destructive to a dog’s teeth. Chewing can crack or break a tooth, which is extremely painful. A fractured tooth exposes the tooth’s pulp to infections and almost always requires an expensive veterinary visit, such as root canal treatment or tooth extraction.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are countless safe and equally fun alternatives to stick play. At Tassu & Tassu’s dog daycare<\/a> and boarding, playtime is a highlight of the day, but safety is always our top priority. That\u2019s why we only use tested and safe equipment.<\/p>\n Good alternatives to sticks include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Play does not always have to involve fetching. Try nose work by hiding treats or a favourite toy, or learn new tricks together. Engaging in activities together strengthens your bond the most.<\/p>\n In the toy aisle, the selection can seem endless. How do you choose a toy that is durable and safe? Remember these three basic rules:<\/p>\n Playing with your dog strengthens your relationship at its best. With a little foresight and the right equipment, you can ensure that your shared moments are not only fun but also safe.<\/p>\n At Tassu & Tassu, your pet’s safety is always our priority. Our trained animal caregivers ensure that play is stimulating and safe, whether it\u2019s daycare or a longer holiday care period. Our location in Helsinki, with excellent transport connections \u2013 next to Raide-Jokeri and the train station \u2013 makes it easy to visit, especially when your journey continues to the airport or the harbour. During the same visit, you can also conveniently have your dog’s nails trimmed or washed.<\/p>\n Do you want to ensure a safe and stimulating care environment for your pet? Book an appointment easily online<\/a> or contact us<\/a> if you have any questions \u2013 we are happy to help!<\/p>\n If you notice a wound in your dog’s mouth, bleeding, or if it is coughing or having difficulty breathing, contact a veterinarian immediately. Even if the symptoms seem mild, an examination is warranted, as internal injuries are not always visible externally. Never attempt to remove a deeply embedded object yourself.<\/p>\n Chewing is a natural and calming activity for dogs. The texture and smell of sticks are irresistible to many dogs. It feels good on their gums and provides something to do. The key is to redirect this chewing instinct to safe targets, such as durable chew toys, rather than trying to eliminate it entirely.<\/p>\n Not necessarily. Pet shops sell dog-safe wooden products designed for chewing, such as coffee wood branches, which do not splinter dangerously. However, it is important to choose the right size and quality product and to supervise your dog’s chewing. A stick found in nature is always a risk and should not be given to a dog.<\/p>\n Trading is the most effective method. Keep a particularly interesting, safe toy or treat with you. When your dog picks up the stick, calmly offer it a better alternative and praise it profusely when it swaps. With consistent training, your dog will learn that it can always get something better from you than a stick found on the ground.<\/p>\n Choose a toy that is too large to fit entirely in your dog’s mouth. Ensure that the material is non-toxic and durable, and that it does not break off small parts. Quality toys from reputable manufacturers are generally a safe choice. If you are unsure, ask for advice from us or other animal care professionals.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A dog joyfully fetching a stick in the park is a familiar and heartwarming sight for many. However, this traditional game can quickly turn into a nightmare and end up at the veterinary emergency room. We explain why you should not throw sticks for dogs and provide tips for safer and more enjoyable games. Why […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_rankly_meta_title":"","_rankly_meta_description":"","_rankly_focus_keyword":"","_rankly_exclude_from_archive":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-en-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2365","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2365"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2365\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Why should you not throw sticks for dogs? 5 hidden dangers<\/h2>\n
1. Mouth and throat injuries<\/h3>\n
2. Choking hazard and internal injuries<\/h3>\n
3. Severe eye injuries<\/h3>\n
4. Poisoning risk and bacteria<\/h3>\n
5. Dental injuries<\/h3>\n
Safe toys and games \u2013 our recommendations<\/h2>\n
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How do I choose the right and safe toy?<\/h2>\n
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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
What should I do if my dog injures itself with a stick?<\/h3>\n
Why does my dog love chewing sticks?<\/h3>\n
Are all wooden chew toys dangerous?<\/h3>\n
How do I teach my dog to give up the stick?<\/h3>\n
How do I know if a toy is safe for my dog?<\/h3>\n