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There’s no question that dogs love to chew on and eat just about any kind of bone! This even includes chicken thigh bones! Some dogs may steal a bone from the table or counter while other dogs dig in the trash and find this highly valued treasure! But can a chicken thigh bone make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten a chicken thigh bone? Are you worried the chicken thigh bone 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 information about chicken thigh bones and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is a Chicken Thigh Bone?
A chicken thigh bone is found in chicken thighs, which is dark meat that comes from the upper part of a chicken’s leg. Chicken thighs are a very popular poultry meat that can be used in a broad range of recipes. What’s more, they’re usually cheaper than other parts of the chicken, such as the breast meat. And people love chicken thighs for their flavor and juiciness.
While chicken thighs are safe for humans (without the bone in!), what about dogs? Can dogs safely eat chicken thigh bones?
Chicken Thigh Bones & Dogs
The answer depends on different variables, including:
- Whether the chicken thigh bone was cooked or raw
- How many chicken thigh bones the dog has eaten
- Whether the thigh bone becomes stuck in the dog’s esophagus
- If the thigh bone becomes lodged in the dog’s digestive tract
When it comes to raw or cooked chicken thigh bones, it is possible that a dog could safely eat a raw chicken thigh bone. The bone will dissolve in the dog’s stomach, and any remaining bone will pass safely through the dog’s digestive system.
However, if a dog eats one or several bones, there’s a danger that one bone or several can cause an intestinal obstruction anywhere along the dog’s digestive tract.
A cooked chicken thigh bone can break as the dog chews it. These small bits are sharp and brittle. They can cause tears and punctures anywhere from the dog’s mouth to his digestive system. d
Finally, a raw or cooked chicken thigh bone can also become lodged in the dog’s esophagus and block his airways.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do If Your Dog Has Eaten a Chicken Thigh Bone
We strongly recommend calling your vet if your dog has eaten a chicken thigh bone. If the bone was raw and didn’t get stuck in the dog’s throat, chances are he will be OK. But the vet will have the best advice and guidance on what to do next in this situation.
In the future, we also recommend keeping all chicken bones out of your dog’s reach. You may also want to consider a dog-proof waste basket if your fur baby likes to dig for treasure in the garbage! Prevention is always the best medicine!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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