Lucas Delgado
Dogs are naturally curious and may find chicken bones tempting. While ingesting chicken bones can pose a potential risk, it's important to stay calm and understand that in most cases, there's no immediate cause for worry. If your dog has eaten chicken bones, you should monitor them for 24 hours and look out for signs of illness such as choking, vomiting, constipation, lethargy, and diarrhea. While chicken bones can often pass through a dog's system without issue, they can also cause internal bleeding, rupture of the stomach or intestines, intestinal blockage, and perforation or puncture of the gastrointestinal tract. If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Keep chicken bones out of reach, secure trash lids, train your dog not to steal food from counters or tables |
| Immediate Action | If your dog is choking, seek immediate veterinary assistance. Do not induce vomiting. If your dog has not swallowed the bones, gently open their mouth and remove the bones. |
| Next Steps | Feed your dog a few slices of plain white bread or soft food to coat the bones and prevent harm from sharp edges. Offer fluids to prevent dehydration. Do not give any over-the-counter medications. |
| Monitoring | Monitor your dog for at least 24 hours. Check for symptoms such as choking, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, constipation, straining to defecate, bloody stool, bloating, and discomfort. |
| Veterinary Attention | If your dog shows any symptoms or is a puppy, seek veterinary attention immediately. If your dog has not passed the bones in a few days, visit the vet to ensure they are not stuck in the intestine, esophagus, or throat. |
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What You'll Learn
Prevention methods
While chicken bones can be dangerous for dogs, it's important to stay calm and take preventative measures to avoid future incidents. Here are some detailed prevention methods to ensure your dog's safety:
Secure Food and Trash
Keep food and trash out of your dog's reach. Store leftovers and trash in secured containers, preferably in high places like on top of counters or inside cabinets. Chicken bones should be disposed of immediately and separately from other waste, using tightly secured bags. Remember, dogs have a strong sense of smell, so indoor trash bins with food remnants should be kept away from your dog's reach.
Train Your Dog
Train your dog not to steal food from counters, dining tables, or unattended plates. You can also train your dog to trade up with a higher-value item like steak, which they will happily exchange for the chicken bone. This method may require training, as it only works if the item is very high-value.
Crate or Muzzle Your Dog
If you are cooking chicken or have chicken bones within reach, keep your dog in a separate room or crate them temporarily. You can also use a basket muzzle to prevent your dog from accessing the bones.
Be Mindful During Meal Preparation
Take extra care during meal preparation involving boned chicken, such as chicken wings or drumsticks. Keep these items well out of reach, especially away from counter edges where your dog might be able to reach them.
Monitor Your Dog's Scavenging
When outdoors, always be aware of what your dog is scavenging. Keep an eye on them when they're around food, and warn guests not to feed your dog portions of their meals.
Remember, prevention is key to keeping your dog safe. By taking these measures, you can significantly lower the risk of accidental ingestion of chicken bones and potential health complications.
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What to do if your dog is choking
While chicken bones are not the worst thing a dog could ingest, they are certainly not considered safe. Chicken bones can cause life-threatening injuries like choking and intestinal blockages. Here is what you can do if your dog is choking:
Stay Calm and Check for Symptoms
It is important to act quickly and carefully. If your dog is choking, coughing excessively, pawing at their mouth, or struggling to breathe, stay calm. Raising your voice or making sudden movements can increase your dog's stress levels and worsen their condition. Check inside your dog's mouth to see if you can remove the bone or object.
The Heimlich Maneuver
If you are unable to remove the bone, you can use the Heimlich maneuver, similar to how it is performed on a person. There are two ways to do this: abdominal compression for medium to large dogs and a chest thrust for small dogs.
Call Your Vet
If your dog is choking, don't wait to call your vet. Your vet will be able to guide you through your next steps and give you a sense of whether your dog is in immediate danger.
Monitor Your Dog
If your dog appears to be active and eating and drinking normally, it is likely they will be okay. However, you should still monitor them for at least 72 hours after they eat the bone. Check your dog's stool for signs of bone fragments and follow up with your vet to ensure there is no remaining bone left in their intestines, esophagus, or throat.
Preventative Measures
To prevent choking, keep bones and other small objects out of your dog's reach. Double-bag bones and dispose of them in an outdoor trash bin. Teach your dog a reliable "drop it" command to prevent them from swallowing harmful objects. Always supervise your dog around food and trash, especially during holidays or gatherings when scraps may be left out.
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Veterinary care
While it is not uncommon for dogs to eat chicken bones, it is important to remember that chicken bones are dangerous for dogs and can cause serious health issues. If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to ensure your dog's safety. Here are some veterinary care tips to help you know what to do if your dog has eaten chicken bones:
Recognise the Risks
Chicken bones, especially cooked ones, can break and splinter easily, causing internal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and perforation of the esophagus or intestinal tract. These sharp bone fragments can puncture the mouth, throat, or intestines, leading to severe pain and potentially life-threatening complications. Puppies are at a higher risk of developing complications due to their smaller digestive systems. Additionally, raw chicken bones can get stuck on the roof of a dog's mouth, causing oral injuries, and the raw meat poses a risk of bacterial infections such as salmonella.
Monitor for Symptoms
After ingestion, monitor your dog closely for any symptoms or behavioural changes. Signs of choking include gasping, pawing at the mouth, gagging, drooling, retching, heavy coughing, and difficulty breathing. If your dog is choking, take immediate action by checking inside their mouth and, if necessary, performing the Heimlich maneuver. Other symptoms to watch for include lethargy, constipation, straining to defecate, bloody stool, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal bloating, and general discomfort. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Provide a Cushion
Feeding your dog a few slices of plain white bread or soft food immediately after ingestion can help coat the bone fragments and reduce the risk of injury from sharp edges. Bread can act as a cushion, protecting the digestive tract from sharp bone fragments.
Seek Veterinary Attention
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is always a good idea to contact your veterinarian for guidance, even if they are not displaying any symptoms. They may recommend an X-ray to locate the ingested bones and assess any potential issues. Depending on the severity of the situation, your veterinarian may suggest hospitalization and intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and aid in digestion.
Prevent Future Incidents
To prevent future incidents, use pet-proof trash bins, keep plates and food out of your dog's reach, and train your dog with commands like "leave it" or "drop it" to discourage scavenging. Be mindful of your dog's habits and take extra precautions to ensure they cannot access chicken bones or other unsafe foods.
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Home remedies
It is important to remember that chicken bones are considered unsafe for dogs to eat. While chicken bones often dissolve once they hit a dog's stomach, they can also splinter and cause internal bleeding, rupture of the stomach or intestines, intestinal obstruction, choking, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to monitor them closely for any signs of illness and contact your veterinarian for advice.
- Feeding your dog a few slices of plain white bread or soft food can help to coat the bones and prevent harm from sharp edges. Bread can also increase gastric juices in your dog's stomach to help dissolve the chicken bones.
- Offer your dog a small amount of soft food, like canned dog food, boiled chicken, and rice.
- Probiotics can help restore the balance of healthy bacteria in your dog's gut and aid in healing if they develop gastroenteritis from eating chicken bones.
- Make sure your dog stays hydrated. Dehydration can delay the digestion of bones and lead to other health issues.
- Avoid giving your dog any over-the-counter medications designed to help the stomach, such as antacids or Pepto-Bismol, as these can adjust the acidity in the stomach and delay digestion.
- Keep an eye on your dog's stool for the next 72 hours to ensure that the bone fragments are passing through. If you do not see them within this time frame, consult your veterinarian.
It is important to remain calm and proactive if your dog has eaten chicken bones. While it may not always cause harm, there is a potential risk for serious complications. Always seek veterinary attention if your dog exhibits any signs of illness or unusual behaviour.
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What not to do
While it is true that dogs have been eating bones for thousands of years, chicken bones are considered unsafe for dogs to eat. They can cause choking, gastrointestinal blockage, and internal bleeding. If your dog has eaten chicken bones, here are some things not to do:
Do not panic
It is important to stay calm and not panic if you find your dog eating chicken bones. Panicking will only confuse your dog, and may lead to drastic and potentially dangerous actions.
Do not induce vomiting
Do not try to make your dog vomit, as this could cause the chicken bone to get stuck in its throat. If you suspect your dog is choking, seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Do not give over-the-counter medications
Avoid giving your dog any medications designed to help the stomach, such as antacids or Pepto-Bismol. These can adjust the acidity in the stomach and delay digestion. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog.
Do not leave your dog unattended
Keep a close eye on your dog and watch for any signs of illness or unusual behaviour. Symptoms such as choking, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, constipation, loss of appetite, and bloody stool can be life-threatening and require immediate veterinary attention.
Do not feed cooked chicken bones
Cooked chicken bones are much more fragile and can easily break into sharp pieces when chewed. These sharp bone fragments can puncture the gastrointestinal tract and cause internal bleeding. Raw chicken bones are generally softer and less likely to splinter, but it is still important to supervise your dog when feeding them any type of bone.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to remain calm and follow the appropriate steps. If your dog still needs to swallow the bones, give them the command to drop it. If your dog has already swallowed the bones, monitor them for any signs of illness such as choking, vomiting, constipation, lethargy, or abdominal bloating. If you notice any of these symptoms, take them to a veterinarian immediately.
If you see your dog grab a chicken bone, gently open their mouth and remove it. If you notice bone pieces stuck in their gums or mouth, try to remove them so they don't swallow them. Pressing on the bottom of their jaw may release the bones.
Choking is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. If your dog is choking, coughing excessively, pawing at their mouth, or struggling to breathe, act quickly and carefully. Take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Feeding your dog a few slices of plain white bread or soft food right after ingestion can help coat the bones and prevent harm from sharp edges. You can also feed them a canned prescription gastrointestinal diet for a few days to help their stomach and upper GI system recover.
