Dog Ate Chicken Bone: 7 Steps To Keep Your Pup Safe
Learn the immediate steps to take if your canine companion has consumed a potentially dangerous chicken bone
Image: HearthJunction Design Team
What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Chicken Bone
It happens in an instant – you turn your back for a second and your dog has snatched a chicken bone from the dinner table, the trash, or even found one outside. Many dog owners have experienced this heart-stopping moment, and the panic that follows is completely understandable. Chicken bones, especially cooked ones, pose significant health risks to our canine companions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through what to do if your dog ate a chicken bone, the potential dangers involved, and how to prevent such incidents in the future.
Why Are Chicken Bones Dangerous for Dogs?
Before diving into what actions to take, it’s important to understand why chicken bones present such a hazard to dogs. Unlike larger, denser bones, chicken bones have specific characteristics that make them particularly dangerous:
- Chicken bones, especially when cooked, become brittle and can easily splinter into sharp fragments
- These sharp pieces can cause damage throughout your dog’s digestive system
- Hollow bones (like those from poultry) tend to break and splinter more readily than solid bones
- The small, sharp fragments can puncture the gastrointestinal tract, causing serious internal injuries
- Bone fragments can become lodged in the throat, creating a choking hazard
Cooked chicken bones pose a greater risk than raw ones because the cooking process makes them more brittle and likely to splinter. However, even raw chicken bones carry risks, including potential exposure to harmful bacteria like salmonella.
Immediate Steps to Take If Your Dog Eats a Chicken Bone
If you’ve witnessed your dog consuming a chicken bone, following these steps promptly can help manage the situation effectively:
1. Remain Calm
While it’s natural to panic, it’s crucial to stay composed. Dogs are highly sensitive to human emotions, and your anxiety can increase their stress levels, potentially worsening the situation. If your dog hasn’t completely swallowed the bone, remaining calm may give you a chance to safely remove it.
Never attempt to forcibly remove a bone from your dog’s mouth, as this could cause the dog to swallow it quickly or bite down defensively. Instead, try offering a high-value treat as a trade – something more enticing than the bone that might persuade your dog to drop it voluntarily.
2. Contact Your Veterinarian Immediately
Once you’ve confirmed your dog has swallowed a chicken bone, call your veterinarian right away. Describe what happened, including details like:
- The size and type of bone consumed (wing, thigh, etc.)
- Whether it was cooked or raw
- Approximately when the ingestion occurred
- Your dog’s size, breed, and age
- Any symptoms you’ve observed
Your veterinarian can provide guidance based on your specific situation. In some cases, they might recommend monitoring at home, while in others, they might advise bringing your dog in for immediate examination.
3. Check for Signs of Choking
Observe your dog closely for any signs of respiratory distress or choking, which require emergency intervention. These signs include:
- Excessive drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Gagging or retching
- Difficulty breathing
- Blue-tinged gums or tongue
- Panicked behavior
If your dog is choking, you may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver for dogs or rush to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
4. Do Not Induce Vomiting
It might seem logical to try making your dog vomit after consuming a chicken bone, but this can actually cause more harm. Sharp bone fragments coming back up through the esophagus can cause tears and damage. Never induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a veterinary professional.
5. Monitor Your Dog Closely
If your veterinarian advises monitoring at home, observe your dog vigilantly for the next 24-72 hours for any signs of distress or complications. Symptoms that warrant immediate veterinary attention include:
- Vomiting or repeated attempts to vomit
- Diarrhea, especially if containing blood
- Straining during defecation
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Lethargy or unusual behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Whining or obvious discomfort
- Difficulty passing stool
6. Feed a Softening Diet
Your veterinarian may recommend feeding your dog soft food or adding bread to their regular diet. These softer foods can help create a cushion around the bone fragments as they pass through the digestive system, potentially reducing the risk of internal damage.
7. Follow Professional Advice
Adhere strictly to any recommendations provided by your veterinarian. This might include:
- Medication to protect the gastrointestinal tract
- Special dietary instructions
- X-rays to track the bone’s progress through the digestive system
- Surgery in severe cases
Potential Complications from Ingesting Chicken Bones
Understanding the possible complications can help you recognize warning signs more effectively. Chicken bone ingestion may lead to several serious conditions:
Choking and Airway Obstruction
Perhaps the most immediate danger is choking. A bone fragment can become lodged in your dog’s throat, blocking the airway and preventing normal breathing. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Mouth and Throat Injuries
Sharp bone fragments can cause cuts and tears to the mouth, throat, and esophagus. These injuries may present as excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or difficulty swallowing.
Gastrointestinal Punctures
One of the most serious complications is perforation of the digestive tract. Sharp bone fragments can puncture the stomach or intestines, allowing digestive contents to leak into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a severe and potentially fatal infection of the abdominal lining.
Intestinal Blockage
Larger bone fragments may cause a blockage in the intestines, preventing normal passage of food and waste. This obstruction can lead to severe vomiting, abdominal pain, and can become life-threatening if not addressed promptly.
Constipation
Bone fragments can cause constipation as they move through the digestive tract. Your dog may strain to defecate or pass small, hard stools containing bone fragments.
Prevention: Keeping Your Dog Safe from Chicken Bones
The best approach to chicken bone ingestion is prevention. Here are effective strategies to keep your dog safe:
- Dispose of chicken bones securely in a dog-proof trash can
- Keep plates with bones out of your dog’s reach during and after meals
- Train your dog with reliable “leave it” and “drop it” commands
- Be vigilant when walking your dog outdoors to prevent scavenging
- Inform guests, especially children, about the dangers of giving bones to your dog
- Consider crating your dog during family meals if they’re prone to stealing food
If you want to give your dog the pleasure of chewing, opt for specially designed dog chew toys or veterinarian-approved chew treats instead.
Safe Alternatives to Chicken Bones
Many dogs enjoy chewing, which provides mental stimulation and can help maintain dental health. Instead of risking chicken bones, consider these safer alternatives:
- Commercially available dog chew toys specifically designed for durability and safety
- Dental chews approved by veterinary dental associations
- Raw, appropriately sized beef or lamb bones (only under supervision and as recommended by your vet)
- Specially formulated dog treats designed for chewing
Always supervise your dog with any chew item and remove it if it becomes small enough to swallow or starts to break apart.
When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care
While minor cases of chicken bone ingestion might resolve without intervention, certain symptoms indicate the need for immediate emergency care:
- Difficulty breathing or obvious choking
- Severe vomiting or retching
- Bloody stool or vomit
- Significant abdominal pain or bloating
- Lethargy or collapse
- Pale gums
In these situations, don’t wait – proceed to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can a dog’s stomach acid dissolve chicken bones?
A: While a dog’s stomach acid is stronger than a human’s and can break down some bone material, it often cannot completely dissolve chicken bones, especially larger fragments. The brittle nature of cooked chicken bones means they can splinter before being fully dissolved, creating sharp pieces that can cause damage.
Q: How long does it take for a dog to pass a chicken bone?
A: If a bone makes it through the digestive system without causing problems, it typically takes 24-72 hours to pass through completely. However, this varies based on the dog’s size, the bone size, and individual digestive efficiency.
Q: Are raw chicken bones safer than cooked ones?
A: Raw chicken bones are somewhat less likely to splinter than cooked ones, but they still pose risks, including bacterial contamination like salmonella. Neither raw nor cooked chicken bones are considered safe for dogs.
Q: My dog has eaten chicken bones before without problems. Does that mean it’s safe?
A: No. Just because a dog has gotten lucky in the past doesn’t mean chicken bones are safe. Each incident carries risk, and complications can arise unpredictably. It’s best not to test your luck repeatedly.
Q: What should I do if I’m unsure whether my dog swallowed a chicken bone?
A: If you suspect your dog might have eaten a chicken bone but didn’t witness it, monitor them closely for any unusual symptoms and contact your veterinarian for guidance. When in doubt, it’s better to be cautious and seek professional advice.
Remember that while many dogs who ingest chicken bones may pass them without incident, the potential risks are serious enough to warrant immediate attention and preventive measures in the future. Your veterinarian is your best resource for specific guidance tailored to your dog’s individual situation.
References
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-bones
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/what-to-do-dog-eats-chicken-bone/
- https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/what-to-do-if-your-dog-eats-a-chicken-bone
- https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/dog-ate-a-chicken-bone-vet-answer
- https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-health/dog-ate-chicken-bones/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of medha deb
