Not sure if this is behavioural topic or health but my 17mth old boy does nothing else but chew and actually eat sticks and wood when out on his walk. He finishes one bit then is on to the next bit picking a stick shredding it and chewing it and swallows it. I know he eats it as its very evident from what he passes out the other end! Even on a lead he pulls to get to bits on the ground to pick up and munch and then ends up all frothy round the chops!!
I have 4 other dogs and they do chew sticks now and again especially wet ones by the river but this young boy is obsessed, he's like a child with a bag of sweets.

He is on daily metacam and just started gabapentin due to hip dysplasia and luxating patellas also had elbow arthroscopy last year but I don't think he does it for pain reasons and when in the house he isn't constantly looking for stuff to eat.

They are fed twice a day on a raw diet plus extras like fruit and goats milk to drink once a day.

Any ideas anyone please?

No idea but will watch the answers with interest as both my girls do the same. One is 6 years old and one 3 years, both raw fed and fit and healthy with no medications for anything.
They seem to choose the more rotten wood and will as you say seek out pieces they consider "Nice".

I try to avoid sticks (the dogs not me ) because, apart from the chances of getting bits stuck in the throat, I read somewhere (sorry can't remember where) that there might be a link between rotting wood and alabama rot. I will see if I can find the reference.

I would never be able to stop him eating sticks unless completely lead walked all the time and on pavements!

Glad he's not the only one that does it. As yet he has never got anything stuck that need my help, he does cough up bits though but this doesn't deter him one bit and he carry's on munching.

Not heard of the link between that and alabama rot though.

I can't find the reference, but I think they were interested in the fungus that breaks down the wood as a possible cause. Everything I have looked at this morning however seems to mention a variant of EColi. Neither of those would explain why it seems to be regional, because surely there's fungus and poo everywhere. If anyone can shed further light, that'd be great!

Option really is stick a muzzle on him so he cant get to the wood to chew. I know people who have had to do this with their dogs to stop them eating things on the ground when out walking

Not sure if this is behavioural topic or health

Its health & it can potentially end up in an emergency life threatening situation, not least because of dehydration if a penetration ocurrs.

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/gastrointestinal-foreign-bodies
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No idea but will watch the answers with interest as both my girls do the same. One is 6 years old and one 3 years,

...............I hope they continue to get away with it.....cause if not
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Re alabama  rot Anderson mores are doing the research and I think u will find the most information  on their website  .Also there is a fb group. It's so spread out now not sure it can be said to be regional but it's still rare .around 65 cases confirmed  since 2012

i would put a muzzle on him to stop him doing this.