Despite our best efforts, accidents happen, and our dogs are likely to eat something they shouldn’t at some point in their lives. Usually, our dogs will steal a yummy piece of people food off the counter or off of the plate of an unsuspecting guest, even if we’re doing the best we can to prevent it.
In This Article
If your dog eats a chicken bone, don’t panic. Instead, check for immediate danger, contact your veterinarian for guidance, and monitor your dog closely for any signs of complications.
Are Chicken Bones Dangerous for Dogs?
Cooked chicken bones are brittle and can easily splinter. These sharp fragments can become lodged in your dog’s throat or cause serious damage if they pass through the digestive system.
Potential risks include choking, injury to the mouth or throat, and punctures in the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries can be extremely painful and, in severe cases, may become life-threatening. While problems don’t happen every time, the risk is significant enough that any ingestion should be taken seriously.
What to Do After Your Dog Eats a Chicken Bone
Once you know your dog has swallowed a chicken bone, focus on keeping them safe and avoiding actions that could make the situation worse. Most importantly, do not try to induce vomiting, as sharp fragments could cause additional injury coming back up.
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
If you catch your dog in the act, calmly take the rest of the bones from them. Dogs can be possessive over food, so even if they’re not aggressive, they’re likely to try and gobble everything down before you take it away.
If your dog has already ingested all of the bones, panicking will only confuse them and possibly lead you to take drastic, unnecessary, and potentially dangerous action. Simply make sure your dog isn’t choking, and give your veterinarian a call to help you figure out how to handle the situation.
Your veterinarian may offer a simple solution, like giving your dog some pieces of white bread to help cushion the bone fragments, but every veterinarian and situation can be different, so make sure to get in touch with yours.
Monitor Your Dog Closely
Since you can’t be sure whether your dog will experience complications, be sure to watch them carefully in the days that follow. Ask your veterinarian about the signs and symptoms of internal bleeding or blockages. Seek veterinary attention right away if you notice any of the following:
- Lethargy
- Constipation or straining to defecate
- Bloody stool
- Vomiting
- Bloated abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- General discomfort
Check your dog’s stool daily to see if you can see the bone fragments passing through. If you don’t see them within 72 hours after ingestion (or whatever time frame is recommended by your veterinarian), it’s a good idea to visit the vet to make sure the bones aren’t stuck in your dog’s intestine, esophagus, or throat.
Reduce the Risk in the Future
Prevention is always the best medicine, but we’re all human, and we make mistakes. Try to find out how your dog got ahold of the chicken bones and be sure to take extra precautions to avoid this circumstance in the future, including:
- Keeping food out of reach
- Securing trash lids
- Training your dog not to steal food from counters or tables
Chicken bones aren’t safe for dogs, so acting quickly and staying alert to your dog’s habits are the best ways to protect them.
Key Takeaways
- Cooked chicken bones can splinter and cause serious injury to dogs
- Do not induce vomiting if your dog eats a bone
- Contact your veterinarian for tailored advice
- Monitor your dog closely for several days for warning signs
- Prevention through proper food storage and training is essential
Frequently Asked Questions
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What happens if a dog eats a chicken bone?
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Some dogs pass bones without issues, but others may experience choking, internal injury, or blockage. Because risks vary, it’s important to contact your veterinarian and monitor your dog closely.
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Are raw chicken bones safer for dogs than cooked bones?
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Raw bones are less likely to splinter than cooked bones, but they can still pose risks such as choking or bacterial exposure. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any bones.
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How long does it take for a dog to pass a chicken bone?
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In some cases, bone fragments may pass within about 72 hours. However, timing can vary, so follow your veterinarian’s guidance and watch for symptoms during that period.
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Should I feed my dog after they eat a chicken bone?
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Your veterinarian may recommend feeding soft foods to help cushion fragments, but advice depends on your dog’s size, health, and situation. Always check first before offering food.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.