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.
...
Playing Fetch With Sticks
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.
Chewing Bones or Antlers
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. If not, it could break a dog's tooth.
Feeding Raw Meat
Simpson-Vernon's third warning concerned raw diets, and the potential consequences extend beyond the dog itself.
"Often caregivers for a dog that I meet in practice who feed raw are shocked to learn that it can pose a health risk to humans in the home," he said.
Raw meat, he explained, can contain bacteria such as E. coli and Campylobacter. While people might take precautions when directly handling raw meat, he said they may not consider the potential for bacterial transmission when their dogs eat raw food and then lick their hands or face.
"If you have small children or anyone immunosuppressed, my personal advice would be to avoid these sorts of diets," Simpson-Vernon said.
Public-health guidance has also warned about the potential risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend feeding raw pet food or treats to dogs and cats, noting that raw animal protein can contain germs such as Salmonella and Listeria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has similarly investigated contamination in pet food. Of 196 samples of commercially available raw dog and cat food tested in one study, 15 were positive for Salmonella and 32 for Listeria monocytogenes. The agency said raw pet food was more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria than the other types of food it tested.
For those wanting to move away from raw feeding, Simpson-Vernon said there are commercially prepared fresh cooked foods available for dogs and cats. Anyone interested in preparing food at home should seek advice from a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the diet is nutritionally balanced.
Using Retractable Leashes
While retractable leashes give dogs more freedom to move away from their owners, the extra distance can become a safety issue for both people and canines.
Owners might have difficulty regaining control of their dogs when using a retractable leash. Simpson-Vernon added in the video that a human's hand could get wrapped around the cord, which can cause friction burns. A canine might also take off running on the leash, only to be yanked back violently when the cord stops.
He advises owners to swap out the flexibility of a retractable leash for a shorter one.
Training With a Shock Collar
Despite being used as a training tool, Simpson-Vernon said he would never use a shock collar on his dog.
Owners might use a shock collar to curb a dog's barking or to help them learn the invisible fence boundary, but Simpson-Vernon explained in his video that the shocks can make dogs extremely anxious.
"…they often don't understand why they are getting the shock," he said in the clip, which could lead to them living in a constant state of fear.
Instead, owners are advised to turn to positive-reinforcement training, such as rewarding dogs with treats when they display the desired behavior. That approach, he said, helps dogs associate good behavior with a positive outcome rather than fear or discomfort.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Sirena Bergman, Gray R. Thomas