Dogs Eating Chicken Bones: Understanding the Dangers and Next Steps

Eating chicken bones can be a serious health risk for dogs.

Choking on a bone is a common hazard, especially for small breeds.

A single bone can cause a blockage in a dog's digestive tract, leading to severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

In extreme cases, a bone can get stuck in the intestines and require emergency surgery to remove.

Take a look at this: Dog Bone Bit

Eating chicken bones can be a real hazard for dogs. Cooked bones are particularly problematic because they can splinter easily, creating sharp edges that can damage your dog's mouth, airways, and gastrointestinal tract.

These splinters can get stuck in your dog's mouth, throat, or intestines, leading to serious health issues. In fact, cooked bones can even cause a blockage in your dog's small intestine or colon.

Cooked bones are also a choking hazard, and may tear the esophagus or intestinal tract. Additionally, the fat content in bone marrow can create a risk for pancreatitis.

Suggestion: Dogs Eat Cooked Chicken Bones

If your dog eats a cooked chicken bone, it may get stuck in their stomach. This is a serious concern, and it's always best to err on the side of caution.

Here are some potential risks associated with cooked chicken bones:

It's worth noting that raw chicken bones also pose some risks, including the potential for spreading disease. However, the main concern with raw bones is the sharp needle-like bone found in the thigh, which can pierce your dog's mouth if not removed.

Turkey bones and other types of poultry bones are similar to chicken bones and should be avoided as well.

If your dog eats a bone, it's essential to stay calm and assess the situation quickly. Establish which scenario you're dealing with, whether it's a small or large bone, and what type of bone it is.

The first step is to find out exactly how much your dog ate and which types of bones they were. If the meat is seasoned, call the Pet Poison Helpline for guidance. Next, contact your local veterinary clinic or ER for their input and next steps.

A fresh viewpoint: Dog Bone Mount

If your dog is showing no immediate signs of distress, you can wait and see if anything happens following their ingestion of the bone. However, if you notice any of the following signs, such as repeat vomiting, coughing or vomiting blood, diarrhea, black or bloody stool, or a tense, bloated, or painful belly, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Here are some key signs to watch out for:

If your dog grabs a chicken bone and looks like they're going to eat it, stay as calm as you can. Yelling or becoming loud and active can cause them to panic and swallow the bones quickly.

Reach for some of their favorite treats or even a piece of the chicken, and try offering that to them instead of the bones. Toss the treat away from the bones to give yourself time to pick them up if possible.

In the event that your dog ate chicken bones and they're showing no immediate signs of distress, you can wait and see if anything happens following their ingestion of the chicken bones. Sometimes, dogs will be okay after eating chicken bones.

Watch for signs of bleeding from the throat or mouth, which may appear as coughing or vomiting up blood. Look for blood in the stool as well.

If your dog ate raw chicken bones, you can breathe a sigh of relief. We feed our dogs raw chicken and bones all the time.

If your dog ate cooked chicken bones, you should be more concerned. There is a serious risk involved. Keep a close eye on your dog or consider a trip to the vet if you're worried.

If your dog eats a bone, it's essential to take action quickly. Establish which scenario you're dealing with by considering whether the bone was seasoned or not.

A fresh viewpoint: Bone Broth Dog Treats

Call the Pet Poison Helpline if the meat was seasoned, as this can be a serious issue. This will help you get expert advice on how to proceed.

Next, find out exactly how much your dog ate and which types of bones they were (wing, leg, etc.). This information will be crucial for your veterinarian to assess the situation.

Call your local veterinary clinic or ER for their input and next steps. They'll be able to provide guidance on how to keep your dog safe.

Don't withhold food, as this can cause more harm than good. Instead, feed small, frequent meals to help keep the bones moving along and hopefully coat them in food to protect the walls of the GI tract.

Here are some key things not to do when your dog eats a bone:

If your dog has eaten a chicken bone, it's essential to watch out for certain symptoms. Repeat vomiting is a common sign, as is coughing or vomiting blood.

Dogs may also experience diarrhea, black or bloody stool, loss of appetite, and difficulty keeping water down. A tense, bloated, or painful belly can also be a sign of a problem.

Here are some specific signs to look out for:

If your dog is extremely constipated or bloated, it's a sign that something's wrong. Severe bloating or constipation after consuming chicken bones is a good reason to rush to the emergency vet.

One of the main signs of a blockage is a tense, bloated, or painful belly. If your dog's belly looks or feels like it's going to burst, it's time to get them help.

If your dog hasn't passed the chicken bones in a few days, it's a good idea to see an emergency vet. They may have a serious blockage that could be potentially fatal if it's left untreated.

Here are some other signs to watch out for:

If your dog is showing any of these signs, it's time to take action and get them to the emergency vet as soon as possible.

If your dog ate something, it's essential to know the risks. For most dogs, eating a chicken bone isn't a problem, but dogs with sensitive tummies or a chicken allergy may experience mild vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.

Raw meat, especially raw chicken, presents a biohazard in the home. You'll want to clean up the area, give your dog a good toothbrush, and skip kisses for the day.

Garlic and onion seasonings on chicken can be toxic to dogs. Unless it's a large dog and they ate a small amount, contact the Pet Poison Helpline to screen the danger.

Eating oils and seasonings can cause an upset tummy, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. If your dog is large and didn't eat much, everything might be fine, but it's still best to contact a vet for guidance.

If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it's essential to keep a close eye on their stools and watch for when they pass the bones. This can take anywhere from a day to several days, so be patient.

To help your dog digest the bones, you can feed them frequent, small meals that are easy on their tummies. Switching to bland chicken, rice, and pumpkin or even prescription GI diets from your vet can be super helpful in preventing stomach upset.

Providing access to plenty of fresh water is crucial, as dehydration can slow down digestion and make it harder for the bones to pass. Consider adding water or bone broth to their meals to make digestion even easier.

If your dog needs to have the bones surgically removed, they'll likely spend at least one day at the vet hospital healing up. After surgery, they'll need to wear an e-collar for 2 weeks or until their stitches or staples are removed, and you'll need to monitor their poop closely to ensure everything heals up okay.

For another approach, see: Dogs Not Eating but Drinking Water