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🪵 Why Throwing Sticks for Your Dog Could Do More Harm Than Good 🐾 Advice from the team at Millennium Vets, Braintree

It’s a familiar sight on countryside walks — a dog happily sprinting after a stick, tail wagging with excitement. But here at Millennium Vets in Braintree, we want to raise awareness of a hidden danger we see far too often: injuries caused by throwing sticks for dogs.

🚨 The Hidden Dangers of Sticks

While it might seem like a natural and fun activity, sticks can cause serious, and sometimes life-threatening, injuries:

  • Mouth and throat trauma: Splinters or sharp edges can puncture the tongue, palate, or back of the throat — injuries we’ve sadly treated many times here at the practice.
  • Impalement injuries: If a dog runs onto a stick at speed, it can become lodged in the chest, mouth, or abdomen.
  • Abscesses and infections: Even small splinters can lead to deep-tissue infections requiring surgery and intensive treatment.
  • Choking hazards: Swallowed fragments can obstruct airways or cause internal damage.

These cases can be painful, distressing, and costly — and they’re often entirely preventable.

🧑‍⚕️ First-Hand Experience at Millennium Vets

At Millennium Vets, we regularly see patients with stick-related injuries, ranging from minor wounds to major emergencies. In fact, this weekend we treated a young German Shepherd who had been thrown a stick and sadly ended up needing emergency surgery. These incidents can be incredibly distressing for both pets and their owners, which is why we always aim to highlight the importance of safe, stick-free play.

✅ Safer Alternatives to Stick Throwing

Thankfully, there are plenty of safer ways to play fetch with your dog:

  • Durable rubber fetch toys (like KONGs or Chuckit! balls)
  • Soft frisbees or discs for dogs that love to chase
  • Rope toys or balls on a string – great for tug and retrieve games

We’re happy to recommend products that are safe for your dog’s size, breed, and play style — just ask a member of our team.

💡 Our Advice

As tempting as it may be, throwing sticks just isn’t worth the risk. By switching to safer alternatives, you can still enjoy active, rewarding playtime with your dog — without putting them in harm’s way.

If your dog has been injured by a stick or you’re unsure if a wound needs checking, please contact us right away. Early treatment can make a huge difference.

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