My dogs don’t interact with many bones at home because my partner and I are vegetarians, which is unfortunate because dogs and bones don’t always go together. However, if you live in NYC, you may encounter discarded chicken bones on the sidewalks. When a new dog enters my life, I teach them to “leave it” and “drop it” as one of the first commands. But what if training doesn’t work and your dog consumes a chicken bone? I consulted Emmy-award winning veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber on the risks associated with chicken bones and what to do if your dog ate one.
Make Sure Your Dog Isn’t Choking
The most immediate cause for concern would be if the chicken bone is lodged in your dogs airways. If your dog is choking, they may start retching or acting like theyre trying to cough something up. They may also pace back and forth, roll around on the ground, or paw at their mouth.
Unfortunately, they won’t be able to make any noise if their airway is completely blocked, so you’ll need to pay extra close attention to their body language. Do not hesitate to call your veterinarian if your dog is choking. You need to take immediate action.
First, check inside your dogs mouth to see if you can remove whatever object is lodged in their throat. If youre not able to remove the object, your next option is to use the Heimlich maneuver, just like with a person. There are two different ways to perform this maneuver, depending on the size of your dog. There is an abdominal compression technique for medium to large-sized dogs and a chest thrust technique for small dogs. Both techniques are very simple.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones Raw?
Because they don’t splinter as easily as cooked chicken bones, raw chicken bones are less dangerous for dogs. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be problematic, so if your dog manages to get a hold of one, you should still adhere to these guidelines. This is true even if your dog regularly consumes chicken bones as part of his diet, but the risk is very low if they are sufficiently ground up. Many dog owners feed their animals raw food, and it’s not unusual for dogs to occasionally catch and consume birds in your backyard.
Step 3: Don’t Self-Treat Your Dog
A lot of people panic at this point. Certain dog owners attempt to care for their pets on their own. They might be concerned about the expense of a visit to the veterinarian or reluctant to tell the doctor what happened. In either case, they quickly research potential courses of action and attempt to manage independently. This, however, can be dangerous.
Online tutorials for making your pet vomit safely at home are readily available. This is not advised, and those guidelines don’t take into account the unique circumstances of each dog. A major issue is when chicken bones become stuck as they rise. They may lodge somewhere and do more damage. They will be challenging to get rid of on the way back up. Some frequently advised medications should not be taken if your dog has consumed chicken bones. It can be risky to follow advice from someone other than a veterinarian. This is accurate even if the person giving the advice claims that their veterinarian advised taking the suggested action.
FAQ
What happens if my dog eats a chicken bone?
Cooked chicken bones can splinter and break, which could cause your dog to choke, puncture his digestive tract, or become lodged in his throat. This causes your dog excruciating pain and could even cause death.
How long after eating a chicken bone will a dog get sick?
In the event that bones get stuck in the esophagus, symptoms like vomiting, gulping, and shallow breathing may occur. All of these symptoms will most likely manifest within the first ten minutes, but if the bone travels to the stomach, it may take an hour or longer for symptoms to manifest.
What chicken bones is safe for dogs to eat?
Cooked bones can splinter and seriously harm a dog’s internal organs. All cooked bones, including table scraps of chicken, are strictly prohibited. Raw animal bones can be dangerous and should only be consumed under close supervision. Dogs may enjoy consuming chicken necks or larger bones.