Chewing on wood

[GuthriesDad]

So, my 7 month old will go out of his way to chew on branches. Wherever we go he manages to find one, and I don't know where he keeps finding them in the backyard. In the house, he is constantly digging through the kindling box for our wood stove.

I know this isn't good for him, and I stop him right away when I catch him doing it. But my question is, is this indicative of some nutritional deficiency he's instinctively trying to correct? (The way they say an urge to chew on ice might be a sign of iron deficiency in humans? Maybe that's an old wives' tale.)

Do any of you have experience with something like this?

 

[Cami]

Puppies love to chew! Raine is 2.5 years old now and has always made a gallant attempt to chew on any branches that end up in my yard. She also will grab entire pieces of wood we have chopped up for the fireplace. She doesn't want to ingest the wood...just likes the chewing activity.
If she were trying to actually eat the wood I would stop her but she more so likes to carry around large branches in the hopes someone will chase her, shred the bark off of various pieces and of course make as big of a mess as she can by breaking a long stick into tiny pieces!
I seriously doubt it is an attempt at receiving any nutrients. Dogs love to chew, puppies love it even more.
You can try to redirect, keep branches picked up and offer alternative chewable items but they will still find something to do with their mouths!
When they are teething it is helpful with the pain to apply pressure to the teeth/gums and chewing does the trick.

 

[Bathel]

So, my 7 month old will go out of his way to chew on branches. Wherever we go he manages to find one, and I don't know where he keeps finding them in the backyard. In the house, he is constantly digging through the kindling box for our wood stove.

I know this isn't good for him, and I stop him right away when I catch him doing it. But my question is, is this indicative of some nutritional deficiency he's instinctively trying to correct? (The way they say an urge to chew on ice might be a sign of iron deficiency in humans? Maybe that's an old wives' tale.)

Do any of you have experience with something like this?

I gave up trying to get my little girl to stop eating sticks long ago... as long as it's not dyed multch I really don't get too worked up on it. YMMV.

 

[GuthriesDad]

Thanks for the input! I'm glad I can check one thing off the list of things I have to keep an eagle eye on him for.

Now that you mention it, I guess shredding is probably more what he was doing than trying to eat it.

I feel much better

 

[boxermom5]

Toby & Lucy use the firewood for chew sticks as well....makes a big mess, usually right after I finish vacuuming - constantly taking them away and redirecting with a kong.