You left the kitchen for just a minute, only to come back to find the roast chicken gone from the oven.
The only culprit is your dog, who is sitting on the floor wagging his tail and looking very content, until you panic when you realize that he has also eaten a chicken bone.
Should I take him to the vet right away?
Just as you would never leave a child near hot, freshly cooked food, leaving a dog alone can be extremely dangerous. Eating hot chicken can cause burns to your dog’s mouth and skin, and it can also cause severe stomach upset due to ingested bones, undercooked chicken meat, excess fat and skin.
We’ll tell you what to do and what to watch out for if your dog eats a chicken bone.
Can dogs eat chicken bones?
Dogs have been eating bones for thousands of years.
Chicken bones often dissolve in a dog’s stomach before they can become dangerous, so dogs are usually able to pass them without any issues.
Other bones, such as those from cows and pigs, are usually thicker and can cause greater pain and illness.
However, chicken bones can be more dangerous than other animal bones because they are hollow. Hollow bones are more likely to break and splinter. This can lead to serious consequences, such as internal bleeding and intestinal blockage.
Puppies are often at higher risk of developing complications from eating chicken bones than adult dogs because of their smaller digestive system. Their stomachs and intestines are smaller in diameter, which means the bones can cause more damage as they pass through. They can also become lodged more easily and cause blockages.
Ideally, chicken bones should never be fed to dogs, as they often cause more harm than good.
Can dogs eat raw chicken bones?
No, dogs should not eat raw chicken bones.
Raw bones can easily get stuck in the roof of a dog’s palate and cause oral injury to your puppy.
Furthermore, raw chicken is less safe than cooked chicken. Eating raw bones and raw meat can: E. coli or other bacterial infection.
However, if your dog does accidentally swallow a chicken bone, raw chicken bones are safer than cooked ones, as uncooked bones are much less likely to break or split when chewed.
Can dogs eat cooked chicken bones?
No, dogs should not eat cooked chicken bones or any other animal bones.
Chicken bones become very brittle when cooked and can easily break into sharp shards when your puppy bites them. These sharp bone fragments can cause internal bleeding and stomach or intestinal rupture. This can lead to sepsis, or an intestinal blockage requiring surgical intervention.
Signs that your dog has swallowed a chicken bone
Signs that your dog has eaten a chicken bone include:
What happens if a dog eats a chicken bone?
If your dog has eaten a chicken bone and is showing any symptoms of illness or acting differently than usual, take him to your veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
The vet will do it Your puppy will be given a physical exam, after which your doctor may recommend an abdominal X-ray to locate the bone and determine if there is anything wrong with it.
Potential Obstacles
Cooked bones tend to be slightly softer than raw bones, but some bones (such as femurs) can be quite large relative to a dog’s size.
If your dog swallows or tries to swallow a chicken bone but doesn’t finish it, the bone can get stuck in his esophagus. This can lead to excessive vomiting, drooling and vomiting.
In other dogs, the bone may become lodged in the upper part of the airway – either at the back of the throat (pharynx) or at the beginning of the airway. This is an emergency and your dog may show signs of severe distress, coughing violently and having difficulty breathing.
Risk of gastrointestinal tears
Chicken bones can easily crumble and, if swallowed, can cause perforation of the esophagus or intestinal tract.
Bacterial contamination
Dogs are at risk of being exposed to bacteria such as Salmonella, especially if the chicken is raw.
What to do if your dog eats a chicken bone
It’s possible that your dog will eat chicken bones without any harm, but it’s important to be proactive.
Give your dog a few slices of white bread, Soft foods When consumed immediately after eating, it helps coat bones and prevent injury from sharp edges.
Watch your dog closely for signs of illness, as symptoms such as choking, vomiting and diarrhea can be life-threatening.
If your dog or puppy starts showing any symptoms, take them to the vet immediately.
If your dog is active, eating well, and seems completely normal, it’s usually safe to just monitor the situation.
What to do if your dog is choking on a chicken bone
If you are concerned that a bone may be stuck in your upper respiratory tract or upper digestive tract: This is an emergency and requires immediate attention.
If you can see or grab a bone, do so, but be careful not to cause any more stress to your puppy. If the bone is not immediately visible, take your puppy to the vet immediately.
As a general rule, avoid giving bones to your dog or allowing him access to them.
How to stop dogs from eating chicken bones
The easiest way to prevent your dog from getting sick from chicken bones is to keep them from eating or even near them.
If you have a dog that likes to steal food from the counter and you’re cooking chicken for dinner, Keep them locked in their crates or Wearing a basket muzzle is recommended.
Keeping an indoor litter box on a counter or away from the kitchen will help keep a curious and hungry puppy from getting into trouble.
Remember that dogs have an incredible sense of smell, so don’t leave leftover chicken in the trash around the house – your dog will be attracted to the smell and may go to extreme measures to get the bones out of the trash.
Place all chicken bones and meal scraps in a separate bag, securely fasten and double bag them, then dispose of this waste in an outdoor trash can that is out of reach of your dog when he or she plays or goes to the bathroom outside.
If you see your dog snatching a chicken bone, calmly tell him to drop it. Offer a reward in exchange.
Stay calm and don’t scold your puppy, as this will often lead to an inquisitive dog swallowing whatever is in its mouth.
