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When there’s meat around, it’s sure that your dog will also be nearby! Dogs and meat go together like peanut butter & jelly. No matter what kind of meat you have, your dog will love it, including chicken.
Some dogs will do anything for some chicken. If you leave a whole chicken on the counter for a split second, you may come back to find the entire chicken, bones & all gone. Our canine friends are not discerning about what they really want to eat. But what happens if a dog eats a lot of chicken bones?
Has your dog eaten a lot of chicken bones? Are you worried the chicken bones will make him sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about chicken bones and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What are Chicken Bones?
Most of us know what chicken bones are and what animal they’re found in. However, what’s so great about chicken bones for dogs? Why would a dog eat chicken, bones, and all?
It’s important to remember that our canine companions are domesticated; however, they still have the same wild instincts as their wild cousins, the wolves. Wild canines, including wolves, typically eat most of their prey. Wild canines eat the skin, bones, and almost every part of the animals they kill. Not much is left when they’re finished.
This is because nutrients are found in all parts of the animal, including its bones. When it comes to chicken bones they’re packed with nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, and other minerals. Bones also contain marrow, which is a fatty substance that’s also packed with nutrition.
So, our dogs still have the instincts to eat all parts of the meat they find. If your fur baby happens to find a whole chicken or many chicken pieces with bones, he’ll happily eat it all, including the bones!
But can a lot of chicken bones make a dog sick?
Chicken Bones & Dogs
Yes, a lot of chicken bones can make a dog sick. Raw chicken bones are not as dangerous because they’re still somewhat pliable. Cooked bones, on the other hand, are more brittle. When a dog bites cooked bones, he may crack the bone into small, sharp pieces. These sharp pieces can cause injuries in the mouth, throat, and anywhere along the digestive tract.
Another problem with cooked or raw bones is that they can become lodged in the dog’s digestive system. This can create an obstruction that completely blocks the digestive tract. No food can enter or leave the system. An obstruction can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Chicken Bone Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten a lot of chicken bones:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Dehydration
- Restlessness
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Intestinal Obstruction in Dogs
When a dog has eaten a lot of chicken bones, and the bones may create an obstruction, the safest way to remove the bones is through surgery. The vet makes an incision near the site of the blockage in your dog’s digestive system and then removes the bones.
The length of the surgery depends on how much damage the bones have caused to the digestive system. Your fur baby may need to be hospitalized for a time, depending on his condition after surgery.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after eating a lot of chicken bones.
In the future, it’s a good idea to keep all meat and bones out of your dog’s reach. That’s not always easy, and accidents do happen. But prevention is always the best medicine!
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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