Claire Thompson
Chicken bones are a common hazard for dogs, who may find them on walks or be fed them by owners unaware of the risks. While some dogs eat chicken bones with no issues, they can cause life-threatening injuries such as choking, intestinal blockages, and internal punctures. If you see your dog eating a chicken bone, you should calmly tell them to drop it and offer a treat instead. If they have swallowed a bone, you should monitor them for symptoms such as choking, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or lack of appetite, and seek emergency veterinary care if they appear unwell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| If your dog is choking | Seek emergency veterinary care as quickly as possible |
| If you suspect a bone is stuck in the upper airway or intestinal tract | Take your dog to the vet immediately |
| If your dog is exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress | Take your dog to the vet immediately |
| If your dog is lethargic, constipated, straining to defecate, vomiting, has bloody stool, appears bloated in the abdomen, or is not eating | Take your dog to the vet immediately |
| If your dog has no symptoms | Monitor your dog for 24 hours for any changes in behavior |
| If you see bone fragments in your dog's stool within 72 hours | Your dog is likely fine |
| If you do not see bone fragments in your dog's stool within 72 hours | Take your dog to the vet to make sure the bones aren't stuck |
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What You'll Learn
Signs your dog needs emergency vet care
Chicken bones can be dangerous for dogs as they can splinter and puncture internal organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract, or get caught in their throat. If you suspect your dog has eaten chicken bones, it's important to monitor them closely for any signs of distress or illness. If you believe the bone is stuck in their airway or intestinal tract, this is an emergency situation that requires immediate veterinary attention.
- Unusual behavior: If your dog is acting strangely or "just not themselves," it could be a sign of underlying pain or a medical issue.
- Breathing issues: Difficulty breathing or choking could indicate something caught in their trachea or underlying heart disease.
- Coughing: This may be a sign of a collapsing trachea or an infectious disease like tracheobronchitis.
- Bloody cough: If your dog is coughing up blood, seek immediate veterinary attention as it indicates a serious issue.
- Bleeding eye: A bleeding eye can be caused by various underlying diseases or conditions, such as abnormal blood clotting. It may also be due to trauma, and your dog should be seen right away to prevent vision loss or loss of the eye.
- Overall swelling or hives: This could indicate an allergic reaction leading to anaphylactic shock.
- Limping: If your dog has been limping for more than a day or is unable to put any weight on the affected leg, it's an emergency.
- Open wounds, possible broken bones, or injuries due to trauma: These could be signs of serious physical trauma and require immediate attention.
- Ingestion of toxins: If your dog has ingested chocolate, poisonous plants, sugar-free products with xylitol, grapes or raisins, or rat poison, seek emergency veterinary care.
- Inability to stand, wobbliness, or dragging of limbs: These could be signs of neurological issues or other serious conditions.
- Vomiting: Combined with lethargy, poor appetite, and diarrhea, vomiting may indicate a serious condition requiring immediate veterinary care.
- Diarrhea: Prolonged diarrhea, especially if bloody, can be life-threatening and should not be ignored.
- Loss of appetite: While skipping a meal may not be unusual, persistent loss of appetite could indicate a medical issue.
- Excessive thirst: Increased water consumption could be a sign of kidney disease or diabetes if it persists for more than a day.
- Scooting on the floor: This could be a symptom of worms, an anal gland problem, bowel movement issues, or a urinary tract infection.
Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure or concerned about your dog's health, don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian or seek emergency care.
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Actions to take if you catch your dog in the act
It is important to remain calm if you catch your dog eating chicken bones. Do not panic or reprimand your dog, as this may prompt them to swallow what they have in their mouth. Instead, calmly tell them to drop it and offer a treat as a trade. If you can see or grasp the rest of the bones, take them away from your dog.
If your dog has already ingested the bones, monitor them closely for any signs of distress, such as choking, coughing, pawing at their mouth, struggling to breathe, vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, or diarrhea. These symptoms could indicate complications such as gastroenteritis or intestinal blockages. If your dog begins to exhibit any of these symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Feeding your dog a few slices of plain white bread, soft food, or canned pumpkin (without any other ingredients) right after ingestion can help to cushion the bone fragments in their stomach and hopefully prevent harm from any sharp edges. You can also offer a small amount of soft food, like canned dog food, boiled chicken, and rice, to help with digestion.
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 timeframe is recommended by your veterinarian), it is advisable to visit the vet to ensure the bones are not stuck in your dog's intestine, esophagus, or throat.
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What to do if the vet is closed
If you witness your dog eating a chicken bone, it is important to remain calm. Reprimanding your dog may prompt them to swallow the bone. Instead, calmly tell them to drop it and offer a treat as a trade. If your dog has already ingested the bone, you should watch them carefully for any signs of distress, such as choking, coughing, heavy breathing, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Chicken bones can break and splinter, causing your dog to choke, or puncturing their gastrointestinal tract. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take your dog to an emergency vet immediately.
If the vet is closed, you should still carefully monitor your dog for any signs of distress. If the bone is stuck in your dog's upper airway or intestinal tract, this is an emergency situation and you should not wait for the vet to open. Try to remain calm and check if you can see or grasp the bone. If the bone is lodged in your dog's throat, you can try to remove it with your fingers, being careful not to get bitten. If you cannot remove the object, you may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver, just like you would on a person.
If your dog is not exhibiting any immediate signs of distress, you should still seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can give your dog a few slices of plain white bread or soft food to help cushion the bone fragments and protect their digestive system. Check your dog's stool daily for at least 72 hours to see if you can see any bone fragments passing through. If you do not see them within this time frame, it is recommended to visit the vet to ensure the bones are not stuck in your dog's intestine, esophagus, or throat.
Remember, the best way to protect your dog is to prevent them from eating chicken bones in the first place. Keep all food out of your dog's reach and dispose of bones securely. Warn guests not to feed your dog any food containing bones, and keep your dog away from trash bins, as they may be attracted by the scent of leftover chicken.
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How to prevent chicken bone incidents
Chicken bones can be dangerous to dogs, as they can cause choking, gastrointestinal blockage, perforation or puncture of internal organs, and gastroenteritis. To prevent chicken bone incidents and keep your dog safe, here are some important precautions to take:
Secure and Dispose of Bones Properly: After a meal involving chicken bones, make sure to secure the bones in a container that your dog cannot access. Promptly dispose of the bones by putting them in a tightly secured bag and placing it in an outdoor trash bin. This simple step can drastically reduce the chances of your dog accidentally ingesting chicken bones.
Be Vigilant During Meal Preparation: When preparing meals that involve chicken bones, such as chicken wings or drumsticks, take extra care to keep these items out of your dog's reach. Avoid leaving them unattended on counters or tables, as curious dogs may be tempted to grab them.
Keep Dogs Away from the Kitchen: If your dog has a habit of stealing food or scavenging for scraps, it may be best to keep them away from the kitchen during meal preparation. You can either secure them in a different room or use a basket muzzle to prevent them from accessing any chicken bones.
Feed Dogs a Special Diet After Ingestion: If your dog accidentally ingests chicken bones, it is recommended to feed them a canned prescription gastrointestinal diet for a few days. This type of diet is more easily digested and absorbed, allowing the stomach to recover from any irritation or inflammation caused by the bones.
Maintain Hydration: Ensure your dog stays hydrated after ingesting chicken bones. Dehydration can delay the digestion of bones and lead to potential health complications.
Avoid Antacids: While it may be tempting to soothe your dog's upset stomach with antacids, it is important to avoid doing so. Stomach acid is necessary to break down and dissolve the bones, and reducing stomach acid can delay or hinder this process.
Monitor for Symptoms and Seek Veterinary Advice: After a chicken bone incident, closely monitor your dog for any signs of distress or illness. Symptoms such as choking, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, constipation, or abdominal bloating may indicate a serious issue. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these symptoms, and they can guide you on the next steps to take.
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What to feed your dog after they eat chicken bones
It is important to note that chicken bones are hollow and can easily splinter, which can cause internal bleeding and serious consequences like intestinal obstruction. They can also get stuck in a dog's throat, causing choking and even death. Therefore, it is recommended to not feed chicken bones to dogs at all.
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, the first thing to do is stay calm. Panicking will only confuse your dog and might lead to drastic and potentially dangerous actions. If your dog is choking, you should take immediate action. Check inside their mouth to see if you can remove the bone. If not, you can use the Heimlich maneuver.
If your dog has swallowed the bones, you should feed them a few slices of plain white bread or soft food right after ingestion. This will help coat the bones and hopefully prevent harm from any sharp edges. You should also give them water. Bread and bone broth can also increase gastric juices in your dog's stomach to help dissolve the chicken bones.
After this, you should monitor your dog closely for at least 72 hours. Check for changes in behavior such as lethargy, constipation, straining to defecate, vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort. You should also check your dog's stool daily to see if any bone fragments are passing through. If your dog develops any of these symptoms, take them to the vet immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Stay calm and do not panic. If your dog is choking, act immediately and seek emergency veterinary assistance. If your dog has already ingested the bones, monitor them carefully for 24 hours and watch out for symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, gagging, lack of appetite, and constipation. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately.
No, inducing vomiting without a veterinarian's guidance can cause the sharp edges of the bones to damage the esophagus or become lodged in the esophagus, making the problem worse.
Seek veterinary attention immediately.
Act immediately and seek emergency veterinary assistance.
Seek veterinary attention immediately.
