From throwing sticks to giving dogs bones to chew, some of the most routine parts of pet ownership could come with risks owners don't realize. Veterinarian and social media personality Dr. Ben Simpson-Vernon, better known online as Ben the Vet, regularly shares advice, tips and tricks for pet parents on his TikTok account, drawing on his professional experience in helping owners keep their animals happy and healthy.
His advice includes a list that begins with a straightforward declaration: "Here are five things I would never do with my own dog as a vet." While some of these seemingly harmless choices might be common among dog owners, he told Newsweek that these everyday habits can sometimes have devastating consequences. Of all five, Simpson-Vernon said avoiding throwing sticks for dogs is "probably the most important" because of how serious the consequences can be. "The resulting injuries can be catastrophic, and fatal in some cases if an abscess forms and occludes the airway, or there is severe bleeding," he said.
"I have seen some very sad cases where young dogs in the prime of life have died as a result, which is obviously devastating for their families." In the video, Simpson-Vernon described how dogs running with sticks can impale the back of their throats. Pieces of sticks can break off, leading to abscess formation and swelling that could block their airway. However, that doesn't mean dogs have to give up a favorite game altogether.
Simpson-Vernon encourages owners to play fetch with their dogs, but never use a stick. Hard chews are another thing Simpson-Vernon would keep away from his own dog. As a general-practice veterinarian, he sees dental fractures a few times a week, caused by hard chew items, such as antlers, bones or yak bars.
Sometimes owners are unaware anything is wrong. Simpson-Vernon said fractured teeth can be discovered incidentally during a routine checkup or when a pet comes in for an unrelated health issue. If enough of the tooth's crown breaks away to expose the sensitive nerves inside, the fracture will be painful, he said.
Dogs may adapt by avoiding chewing on the affected side of their mouth, he said, resulting in more tartar accumulating on teeth on that side. "People are often shocked when they hear about antlers being too hard to chew and assume that because they are widely available for sale they must be safe, but that really isn't the case," he said. Instead, he recommended the "fingernail test." If owners can indent a chew with their fingernail, Simpson-Vernon said it is soft enough for a dog.
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