If your fur nose regularly nibbles on the wood, this can have several causes, e.g. B. boredom or toothache.
If you notice that your four-legged friend is eating wood, you should strictly and definitely stop it, because eating wood involves risks.
In this article we will show you why your dog eats wood, what the dangers are and how you can prevent it.
Is it normal for dogs to eat wood?
Yes, for many dogs it is part of everyday life to eat wood.
It’s part of their natural curiosity, because with their mouths explore their environment and get to know objects.
Some dogs chew or eat wood to occupy themselves or to relieve stress.
For other dogs, wood is a natural food and other fur noses use it to clean their teeth.
However, chewing and eating wood can be quite dangerous. The splinters can get stuck in the mouth or cause injuries in the digestive tract.
In addition, the wood can be poisoned or contaminated with pesticides, which in turn can trigger gastrointestinal diseases.
Why is my dog eating wood? 10 reasons
There are many reasons for nibbling and eating wood, from curiosity to physical or mental discomfort.
If you notice that your fur nose keeps putting a piece of wood in its mouth, you should observe it and its behavior and possibly consult a veterinarian.
Then the reasons are varied and can indicate diseases or deficiency symptoms:
- Chew toys: Dogs have a natural chewing behavior and can use pieces of wood as chew toys.
- Boredom: The four-legged friends can chew out of boredom and gnaw on everything that gets in their way.
- Lack of Activities: If furry friends aren’t getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, they may attempt to chew on objects to meet their needs.
- Hunger: Dogs that are not getting enough to eat may try to satisfy their hunger by chewing on wood. Even when fed regularly, many dogs remain hungry throughout the day.
- Instinct: Dogs are naturally hunter-gatherers. They can gather or carve wood to satisfy their prey instincts.
- Dental Problems: Dogs may chew on wood to clean their teeth or to relieve pain due to dental problems (gingivitis).
- Pica Syndrome: Pica syndrome is a condition in which dogs eat unusual non-food items. It is common in dogs and cats.
- Lack of Minerals: Dogs that aren’t getting enough minerals in their diet can try to supplement them by chewing on wood.
- Stress: Dogs may chew and eat wood to calm down due to stress or anxiety.
- Play instinct: Dogs may try to use pieces of wood as toys by carrying or retrieving them.
Is it dangerous if my dog eats wood?
Yes, it can be very dangerous if your fur nose eats wood. Eating wood can lead to various risks.
When dogs swallow small pieces of wood, they can get stuck in the digestive tract and cause or even constipation intestinal obstruction to lead.
Larger pieces of wood can tear or injure the digestive tract and require surgery.
Wood splinters can also get stuck in the dog’s mouth and throat, causing injury.
In the worst case, your pet’s esophagus or trachea can be injured.
In addition, the wood may have been treated with chemicals, which can lead to poisoning and diseases in the gastrointestinal tract.
How can I stop my dog from eating wood?
In order to prevent your darling from eating wood, you must first know the causes.
For example, if you notice your dog chewing on a lot of objects, you should provide chewing alternatives and drive to the vet.
This can be a sign of pica syndrome or toothache. You should also make sure that your furry friend is kept busy.
You can ensure this through regular ball games and extensive walks. In addition, your dog should not be subject to any unnecessary stress.
Do not let your four-legged friend run around in the garden unsupervised and make sure that he has a balanced diet.
If the vet determines that your pet is healthy and chews and toys aren’t working, it’s important to hire a dog trainer.
Together with you and your furry friend, he will find out the reasons for eating wood and suggest individual alternatives.
Conclusion
It is in the nature of dogs to get to know their surroundings in detail and they like to use all their senses to do so.
So there doesn’t have to be a dramatic reason for eating wood. Preferably you intervene immediately and decisively without being too strict.
Deal with your fur nose and try to understand the motives. You should also consult a veterinarian to rule out illnesses.
Has your dog ever eaten wood? If so, please let us know how you acted in this case.