- Jade, a vet nurse that has worked all over Europe, said to never throw sticks
- READ MORE: Vets issue an urgent warning about KISSING your dogs
A veterinary nurse has issued an urgent warning to dog owners about playing fetch with sticks.
Jade, a registered veterinary nurse who has worked with animals across England, Wales and other parts of Europe, often posts tips and tricks on how to keep pets safe on her TikTok account.
As summer approaches, many pup lovers may want to take their canines on longer walks through parks or woodlands where there are numerous sticks for them to pick up.
But although your hound may encourage you to play fetch with the stick, Jade says you should never toss twigs at them because the outcome could be fatal.
She said: 'Guys this is just a reminder to never throw sticks at your dog,' she said to her 70,000 followers.
'When you throw a stick, it can get stuck in the ground and when your dog runs towards it at high speed and tries to catch it in their mouth if it gets stuck in the ground first, then sometimes when your dog runs over it, [the stick] can end up impaling them through the roof of their mouth.
'I have seen this before and it was fatal. The stick went straight through the roof of the dog's mouth and it went straight into its brain and the dog died immediately.
'I have heard of this happening quite a few times.'
Jade, a registered veterinary nurse , often posts tips and tricks on how to keep pets safe on her TikTok account
Although your hound may encourage you to play fetch with the stick, Jade says you should never toss twigs at them because the outcome could be fatal (stock image)
Jade says that splinters can also get lodged in your dog's mouth, oesophagus and stomach.
'Overall, sticks are just not a good thing to play with and I just cringe whenever I see people throwing sticks at their dogs,' she added.
Other pet owners commented their thoughts on Jade's video, with one writing: 'I never give my dog sticks or bones.'
Another penned: 'My dog isn’t allowed sticks and he knows it, as soon as he sees one he eats it so fast as if he’s never been fed and sticks are a nourishing food source.'
A third said: 'Its hard to stop them from getting sticks mine absolutely loves sticks, he gets the biggest one possible…'
A fourth commented: 'That happened when i threw a stick for a collie, he was in the vets overnight, I felt so so awful.
'It wasn't even mine, I contacted the owner and he was fine, the stick pierced his tongue and lost a lot blood… he even brought the dog to see me after, but its a real issue.'
The Kennel Club, an organisation based in the UK that focuses to dog health, welfare and training, also advises against dogs playing with sticks.
Jade says you should never toss twigs at your dogs because the outcome could be fatal
Other pet owners commented their thoughts on Jade's video and said they never throw sticks at their dogs
Its website states: 'Stick injuries are all too common and preventable, so please never throw sticks for dogs.
'They can lead to horrendous, life-threatening injuries, requiring advanced investigation and surgery. Use safer rubber alternatives instead.'
The club says that often dogs learn from watching others canines, so it therefore could be a learned behaviour and twigs are often readily available on walks when looking for something to play with.
Instead, it advises owners to come prepared with a chew toy as dogs - especially puppies - enjoy chewing to relieve tension, boredom or anxiety.
The Kennel Club says toys such as rubber sticks and dog-friendly frisbees are more appropriate and safer for your beloved pet.
