Dog Swallowed a Chicken Bone: What to Do

Chicken bones are touted by some as a great snack for dogs. Some butchers will give them out to owners for their pets to prevent wastage.

Additionally, in many parts of the world, leftover chicken bones are often bagged up in restaurants and taken home for the dog to enjoy, a practice known as a ‘doggy bag’.

However, there are good reasons why most vets would not advise you to offer your dog a chicken bone. There are several risks associated with eating them, and if your dog is unlucky, they could injure themselves or become quite unwell.

So, when you have the choice, it is best to steer clear of any chicken bone feeding.

Why Are Chicken Bones Dangerous for Dogs?

There’s more than one reason why chicken bones are an ill-advised treat.

What Happens When Chicken Bones Splinter?

Chicken bones are quite slender and hollow, meaning they are easily broken and can then splinter with sharp edges. These splinters can damage the gastrointestinal tract and even have the potential to cause a full tear or perforation.

Splintered bones can cause injuries within the mouth and may get stuck in the roof of the mouth or between teeth.

This can cause significant discomfort for your dog and may lead to abscessation and chronic infection if the splinter remains lodged.

Are Cooked or Raw Chicken Bones More Dangerous?

Cooked bones splinter more easily, increasing the likelihood of gastrointestinal damage.

However, raw chicken bones carry dangerous pathogens like Salmonella, which can result in food poisoning. In reality, neither bone should be eaten.

Which Dogs Are at Higher Risk of Complications?

The smaller the dog, the higher the risk of injury. This is because the narrower their intestine, the greater the chance of an obstruction developing.

Puppies and those who are unwell or immune-compromised will be at the highest risk from food poisoning if the bone is raw.

What Are the First Signs Your Dog May Be in Trouble?

If your dog has just nicked a bone, keep a very close eye for any tell-tale signs that they’re not coping well.

How Does Gagging or Retching Indicate an Issue?

If the bone has lodged within the mouth or throat, or if it has cut or damaged the tissue, your dog will communicate their distress. This can mean rubbing their face, drooling, whining, retching, gagging, and/or coughing.

In a small number of cases, eating bones could lead to gastric torsion. Signs come on rapidly and can include persistent gagging, shallow breathing, and a very bloated abdomen.

Deep-chested dogs, such as Great Danes and Saint Bernards, are more prone to this complication.

What Are the Signs of Internal Obstruction?

If the bone is going to cause an internal blockage, signs may take a day or two to develop.

Your dog may not be able to hold food or water down and might be lethargic, off their food, bloated and weak. Initial signs can be mistaken for gastroenteritis, but patients tend to become very unwell quickly.

Any poo that was already in the digestive tract can be passed as normal stool or diarrhoea, but once this has been expelled, dogs often become constipated and may strain.

When Should Breathing Changes Worry You?

If your dog’s breathing becomes laboured or rapid, this can be a sign that all is not well. This sort of change can indicate nausea, pain, or a fever.

It is also seen in cases of sepsis, after the gut has been perforated and the contents of the intestines have leaked into the abdomen.

What to Do Immediately If Your Dog Swallows a Chicken Bone

Stay calm if your dog manages to swallow a bone, removing any other bones from their vicinity. Monitor them closely for any symptoms.

Should You Call a Vet Right Away?

If you’re concerned for your dog or they are showing any of the signs discussed above, contact your vet immediately.

When is it Safe to Monitor at Home?

Your vet may discuss the option of monitoring from your home if your pooch is healthy and coping well.

This is often what happens in reality, as many dogs can digest chicken bones without issue.

What Information Should You Give Your Vet?

Make your vet aware of exactly what has been eaten, how your pet is acting, and if they’ve ever had any similar incidents in the past.

Do also discuss any medical history that would be pertinent, such as if your dog has previously needed intestinal surgery.

What Should You Not Do After a Dog Swallows a Chicken Bone?

While you may be eager to jump into action, sometimes it is best to monitor from a distance.

Should You Try to Induce Vomiting?

It is usually not advised to induce vomiting. This is because many dogs digest soft chicken bones without any trouble, and sharp or splintered bones could damage the foodpipe on the way back up.

Why Are Certain “Home Remedies” Dangerous?

Beware of reading about inducing vomiting with things like hydrogen peroxide, salt, or mustard. This sort of thing can do more harm than good.

While feeding a small amount of bread may help ‘cushion’ the sharp edges, too much can cause stomach upset.

Do not give any sort of grease or oil in an attempt to ‘lubricate’ the gut, as this will result in stomach upset at best and pancreatitis at worst.

How Do Vets Diagnose Problems Caused by Chicken Bones?

If your dog becomes unwell, your vet will want to see them in person.

What Imaging Tests Might Be Needed?

Bones show up beautifully on X-rays, so your vet can perform radiographs to determine where the offending bones are located. This can help decide the best next steps.

Repeat X-rays are useful for assessing whether the bones are moving or if they have become completely stuck.

What Are the Possible Treatments?

If your dog is coping well and the bones appear to be moving, they may be managed with supportive care such as a high fibre diet, fluids and laxatives.

Bones that cause a gut obstruction and are not moving along the gastrointestinal tract are removed surgically.

Can You Prevent Your Dog from Eating Bones?

With all the will in the world, it would not be possible to prevent every bone ingestion. However, some things can help a lot.

How to Dog-Proof Your Home and Bin

Keep bins out of your dog’s reach and invest in ones that cannot be easily opened. Ideally, bins should always be behind a closed door that your dog cannot access.

Do not leave food out on tables or surfaces unsupervised. Many dogs will steal a Sunday roast as it cools on the side, or will help themselves to their owner’s leftovers when they pop out to the loo or to answer the door.

What Training Can Reduce Scavenging?

As we cannot control our dog’s environment, we should view their training as our ‘insurance’. Work on a ‘Leave it’ command, in case your dog sets their sights on some nearby chicken bones.

It is also helpful to teach a ‘Swap’ or ‘Drop’ command if your dog does manage to get their paws on something they should not.

Are There Safe Chew Alternatives to Offer Instead?

There are lots of safer alternatives to bones, including yak chews, dried fish skins, jerky and food toys that you can stuff, like Kongs.

Get Emergency Vet Care for Your Dog

Call an emergency vet right away if you are concerned your dog is showing signs of a gut obstruction or if they have a bone stuck in their mouth or throat and are choking.

Dog Swallowed a Chicken Bone FAQs

Should I Still Call a Veterinarian If My Dog Swallowed a Chicken Bone?

Not every dog will require veterinary intervention after eating a bone. It is a good idea to contact your vet if you have any concerns or if your dog is very young or small.

How Long Does It Take for a Chicken Bone to Pass Through a Dog?

Digestive transit time varies depending on the size and amount of bones eaten, as well as the age and breed of the dog. For most, bones will be passed within 1 to 3 days.

What Symptoms Mean My Dog Needs Emergency Care?

Signs of a gut blockage or perforation are red flag signs. These can include persistent vomiting, visible abdominal bloating, food refusal, lethargy, a fever, and bloody vomit.