my dog eats sticks

[hazelwood2]

Hi, can anyone tell me why my 3 year old Newfie keeps eating twigs and sticks. Many thanks in advance.

[bimbo123456]

Dogs do! Just be careful he doesn't get it stuck in his throat.

[divegirl]

Hi, I believe it's known as Pica and is a throw back to the days of wild dogs. No one really knows for sure why they do it but some dogs will also eat leaves, mud and the more obvious one of grass!
One of my Great Danes does it and will, while in the forest, find the wettest bit of tree stump she can find to gnaw on....I stop her for the most part but she's been doing it for three years now and has come to no harm.[Has some interesting poops though!]
There will, of course, be those who point out the dangers of splinters in the gut and mouth but to me it seems a pretty natural behaviour!

Lisa x

[hazelwood2]

Ok. No need to worry then. Many thanks to you bimbo and Lisa x

[RATTER15]

Not really a good thing, I would try to discourage it, sticks and twigs can carry all sorts of chemicals and toxins in and under the bark as we have just found out with our Keeva, (irish Wolfhound) she was having big problems with an allergy, after stopping her chewing on shrubs and sticks the problem has gone.