Did your dog just eat chicken bones, and you aren’t sure what to do? Almost all dogs, at some point or another, have eaten something they’re not meant to; and chicken bones are often one of these things. This actually happens frequently and is not surprising. Chicken is one food that seems to universally adored by our canine pals. But, chicken bones can be extremely dangerous to dogs.
Cooked chicken can be part of a nutrient-dense nutrition plan for your pup. It works well with vegetables like zucchini, cooked sweet potatoes, or even bell peppers. Sometimes cooked chicken bones make their way into your dog’s meal by accident, and they can be very dangerous if that happens.
Some dog owners will try to self-treat, and this is a mistake. If your dog ingests chicken bones, you need to call the vet. There are several steps we recommend you take, which we discuss in detail below. So, let’s take a look at what you should do if your dog ate chicken bones.
When the dreaded does happen, it’s important to remain calm so you can do what needs to be done. Don’t discipline your dog immediately. You need to stay calm, and not scare your pup. Below, we’ve given our step-by-step instructions for how you should handle this tricky situation.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones Raw?
Raw chicken bones are less dangerous for dogs than cooked chicken bones, as they don’t splinter as easily. It doesn’t mean they can’t cause a problem, though, and if your dog gets hold of one you should still follow these instructions. This is true even if your dog eats chicken bones as part of his normal diet, although if they’re ground up sufficiently then the risk is very low. Many people feed their dogs raw, and it’s not uncommon for dogs to catch and eat the occasional bird in your backyard.
Remember, panicking isn’t going to help our dogs in any way. If you catch your dog in the act, try to calmly take the rest of the bones from him. Dogs can be possessive over food, so even if your pup isn’t aggressive, he’s 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 him 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.
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. Keep food out of reach, trash lids securely closed, and train your dog not to steal food from the counter or dining table. Although chicken bones might not be the absolute worst thing your dog could ingest, it’s certainly not considered safe, by any means. Take note of your dog’s habits, keep a close eye on where your family and guests leave their food, and make sure to prevent the incident from being repeated. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC eBook
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. Many people foods are particularly dangerous for dogs, however. This includes cooked chicken bones, which is something that’s within reach of our pups on a somewhat regular basis. Cooked chicken bones can break and splinter, which can cause your dog to choke and can also puncture the gastrointestinal tract, or get caught in his throat. This is extremely painful to your dog and can potentially lead to death. So what exactly should you do if you find your dog has eaten chicken bones?
Although chicken bones can splinter and puncture internal organs, it doesn’t mean that they will do so every time. It’s certainly a risk we’d like to avoid at all costs, but if your dog has already ingested the bones, all you can do now is watch him carefully. Ask your veterinarian about the signs and symptoms of internal bleeding or blockages. If you notice your dog is lethargic, constipated, straining to defecate, or has bloody stool, is vomiting, appears bloated in the abdomen, is not eating or is generally uncomfortable, you’re going to want to seek veterinary attention right away. Check your dog’s stool daily to see if you can see the bone fragments passing through. If you do not 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.
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Step 3: Don’t Self-Treat Your Dog
A lot of people panic at this point. Some dog owners try to treat their dogs on their own. They might be worried about the costs of a vet trip, or not want to admit to the vet what happened. Either way, they quickly research likely courses of action and try to cope on their own. This, however, can be dangerous.
For instance, often you’ll find instructions for making your pet vomit at home. Chicken bones can get stuck coming back up. They may lodge somewhere and do more damage. They will also be difficult to remove on the way back up. Some often-suggested medications are unsafe if your dog has eaten chicken bones. Following instructions from somebody other than a vet can be dangerous. This is true even if the person providing the advice says their vet recommended the course of action.
FAQ
How long does it take for a chicken wing to pass through a dog?
Can dogs digest cooked chicken wings?
How long after eating a chicken bone will a dog get sick?
Chicken wings are certainly not risk-free, but under certain situations, they can be eaten by your dog safely. Chicken wings contain bones, and as long as they are not cooked, they should not pose any risks. Cooked bones can shatter and cause internal damage to your dog’s intestines.