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Many people enjoyed dishes that include boiled chicken. What’s more, chicken may be cooked in an Instant Pot, too, and come out boiled from the steam & pressure used to cook the meat. As you prepare your meal and discard the chicken bones, your dog may believe there’s something yummy to eat and head for the bones. Before you know it, your dog has eaten the boiled chicken bones! But will this make your dog sick?
Has your dog eaten boiled chicken bones? Are you worried the boiled chicken bones will make your dog 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 put together some information about boiled chicken bones and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones?
It’s true that canines have been eating bones for thousands of years. Our canine companions still have the ability to eat bones safely. The bones usually enter the digestive tract, where they’re dissolved and safely passed from the dog’s system. Dogs can safely eat raw chicken bones, but cooked chicken bones is another matter altogether.
Chicken bones become brittle during the cooking process; this also applies to boiled bones. The brittle chicken bones can then splinter when eaten, leading to several issues in dogs:
- Broken teeth
- Injuries to the mouth from bone splinters
- Obstruction of the esophagus, trachea, or intestines
- Bones causing constipation
- Splinters tearing parts of the GI tract (from the stomach to intestines)
- And more
So, dogs should never eat cooked chicken bones, even those that have been boiled.
Symptoms of Chicken Bone Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten boiled chicken bones:
- Constipation (with straining)
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive drooling
- Gagging/coughing/retching
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Licking their lips
- Pacing, restlessness
- Unable to sit
- Abdominal pain & swelling
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is may be an emergency. We recommend calling the vet to get their advice on how to proceed. The vet is the best person to ask in this situation.
In the future, it’s best to keep all bones away from your dog unless the vet advises feeding your dog raw bones. Raw bones are much safer; however, don’t feed these to your dog without the vet’s advice.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
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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