For many dog owners, throwing a stick feels like the simplest way to spark joy – an instinctive game that seems harmless and familiar. Dogs run, leap, and return with excitement. Yet behind this everyday ritual lies a risk that veterinarians say is often underestimated – and in some cases, devastating.
A veterinary nurse recently highlighted the dangers in a widely shared TikTok video, drawing attention to injuries that can occur in a matter of seconds.
“When you throw a stick, it can get stuck in the ground, and when your dog runs toward it at high speed and tries to catch it with its mouth, if the stick has just lodged itself in the ground, it can pierce the roof of its mouth,” the expert explained, adding: “I’ve seen this happen before. It was a fatal incident. The stick pierced through the dog’s palate, penetrating straight into its brain, and the dog died instantly.”
What makes this risk particularly alarming is how unpredictable it is. A stick can land upright or at an angle, turning into a sharp, fixed object just as the dog lunges forward at full speed. In that moment, play can abruptly become a medical emergency.
Veterinarian Jade also warns that the danger does not end there. Sticks can splinter easily, and those fragments can cause injuries along the entire digestive tract-from the mouth to the esophagus and stomach.
Other experts echo these concerns, noting that sticks can become choking hazards, cause intestinal blockages, and introduce bacteria that lead to infections. Even the eyes are at risk, especially during energetic play when control and visibility are limited.
Despite these risks, dogs remain naturally drawn to sticks. Their appeal lies in their texture and scent-uneven surfaces, unfamiliar smells, and the instinct to chew all combine to make them irresistible.
But safer alternatives are widely available. A properly sized ball-large enough to avoid choking-offers a controlled and predictable option. Rope toys or durable rubber toys designed to mimic the shape of a stick can provide the same engagement without the hidden dangers.
What appears to be a simple game can carry serious consequences. For veterinarians, the message is clear: choosing the right object to throw is not a small detail – it is a decision that can protect a dog from avoidable harm.