4 month old Black lab mix likes to eat wood. Whats up with that?

Question

I have a 4 month old lab mix (Princess Isabella) i got from the kennel, and she likes to eat wood. Everytime I take her outside to excersise in the yard, in a split second shes picked up either mulch, twigs, wood chips, pine grass, pine cones, etc. I try to get to her to take it out her mouth but by the time I get to her she has already chewed and swallowed. I live in a part of GA where its hard to avoid all of these things since they make up our whole yard. I know shes not hungry since i feed her till shes full and i even hand feed her after she looks like shes full since i only feed her twice a day. I take her out after her meals so i know shes not hungry. Is this normal? Im scared I dont want her to get stomach splinters.

Answer 1

Puppies, just like human babies, go through a stage where they pick up EVERYTHING and put it in their mouth.  After working at a vet I've also come to the conclusion that the same is true of labs, no matter their age.  Just try to watch her "grazing," and keep her distracted with a game or a toy when you're outside with her.

Puppies need to eat more, and more often, about 3 times a day up until maybe 14 weeks old.  Then you can slowly phase out the lunchtime meal and just feed two slightly more generous meals each day.  Also make sure you're feeding her a good quality food.

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_...

Answer 2

I'll second any of those answers

Answer 3

It sounds like your pup is teething. My lab is 11 years and he still chews on sticks. If it is bothering you that much, try getting some raw hides, pigs ears, dog treats, etc.... Labs are chewers so she may never grow out of this.

Answer 4

My 4 month old Collie is the same way.  I just give her a secret water squirt and a No! when she is getting into the wood chips and give her one of her toys that she has for chewing...so far it has helped to deter her.

Answer 5

Totally normal puppy behaviour. It is how they learn what is good to eat and what isn't.  my dog did it all the time and now that she is over a year old she still likes to chew on sticks and leaves.  Chewing on wood is what dogs do.  

Answer 6

Your puppy might be teething or she might just like to chew on things. My dog loves to chew on sticks and snaps them in half. My other dog has this obsession with rocks and uses them as toys. All dogs have little quirks, and this may be temperary. Try giving her lots of toys and rawhyde bones.