Dog Ate Chicken Bones? Don't Panic! Here's What to Do

Dogs are naturally curious and may find discarded chicken bones tempting. While ingesting chicken bones poses a potential risk, it's important to stay calm and understand that in most cases, there's no immediate cause for worry, even if your dog swallowed a large amount. This article will guide you through the situation, explaining the potential risks, what to do next, and when to seek veterinary attention.

What to do if your dog ate chicken bones

If you discover that your dog ate chicken bones, here are the following things that you should and shouldn't do:

1. Stay calm: Your calmness can positively influence your dog's behavior, making it easier to assess the situation. Remember, in most cases, everything will be fine.
2. Check for choking: If your dog exhibits signs of choking, such as gasping, pawing at their mouth, or difficulty breathing, act immediately and seek immediate veterinary assistance. If you suspect choking, be cautious—attempting to remove the bone yourself could push it further down.
3. Do NOT induce vomiting: It's natural to think about getting the bones out as soon as possible. However, inducing vomiting without a veterinarian's guidance can cause the sharp edges of the bones to damage the esophagus or become lodged in the esophagus which makes the problem incredibly worse.
4. Monitor your dog: Watch closely for any signs including vomiting, gagging, lethargy, or lack of appetite. These symptoms could indicate uncommon, but significant complications such as gastroenteritis or intestinal blockages.
5. Feed a bland diet: The stomach needs to focus on digesting the bones with its stomach acid. I recommend avoiding feeding the typical kibble diet for a couple of days. Offering a small amount of soft food, like canned dog food, boiled chicken and rice can be beneficial.
6. Do not give any over-the-counter medications: Medications designed to help the stomach such as antacids or pepto-bismol, can adjust the acidity in the stomach and will delay the digestion process. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog.

When to contact your veterinarian

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to how many chicken bones a dog needs to eat before you need to see your veterinarian. A medium to large dog that ingests a few small chicken wing bones will often have zero issues, whereas a smaller dog that ingests a large quantity of chicken bones, may need to see the vet for supportive care.

In most cases, chicken bones will dissolve in stomach acid within 24-48 hours. Of course, there are exceptions so it is very important to monitor for dog for symptoms.

If there is diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, please see your veterinarian for advice on how to proceed.

How do veterinarians treat dogs that have swallowed chicken bones?

The specific treatment your dog receives will depend on the severity of the situation and the presence of any complications. However, some common approaches I use and follow are:

1. Fluids: Ensuring your dog remains hydrated is very important. Dehydration can delay the digestion of the bones and lead to other health issues. Depending on the size of the patient and the amount of bones they ingest, we generally recommend 24 hours of hospitalization and intravenous fluids.
2. Avoiding antacids: While tempting to soothe an upset stomach, I do not use antacids for the treatment of chicken bone ingestion. The reason for this is that we need stomach acid to break down and dissolve the bones in the stomach. Reducing stomach acid will delay or prevent this from occurring.
3. Special GI diets: I recommend feeding dogs a canned prescription gastrointestinal diet for a few days afterward. The stomach and upper GI system become inflamed and irritated from digesting the chicken bones. These diets are more readily digested and absorbed, allowing the stomach to recover.
4. Probiotics: Many dogs often develop gastroenteritis if they eat many chicken bones. A probiotic can help restore the balance of healthy bacteria in their gut and aid in healing.

Potential complications of ingesting chicken bones

Although most dogs that have eaten chicken bones do well and do not require any medical intervention, there are potential complications that can arise. Some of these include:

1. Choking: If the bones are not chewed properly, they can get stuck in the dog's throat and cause choking. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
2. Gastrointestinal blockage: Large pieces of bone or a high quantity of smaller bones can become lodged in the digestive tract, causing an obstruction. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious complications.
3. Perforation or puncture: Sharp parts of the chicken bones can puncture or tear the gastrointestinal tract, leading to leakage of stomach contents into the abdominal cavity. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention.
4. Gastroenteritis: The consumption of chicken bones can cause inflammation and irritation in the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Constipation: If there are multiple fragments and shards of bone as it enters the colon, it can cause constipation and discomfort. This may require medical intervention to help the dog pass the bone fragments safely.

It's important to note that not every dog who ingests a chicken bone will experience complications. However, understanding the potential risks allows you to monitor your dog closely and seek veterinary help if necessary.

Preventing future incidents

Most cases of chicken bone ingestion in dogs are accidental, so focusing on ways in which you can prevent it from happening again is important.

Dogs tend to swallow chicken bones whole, compared to chewing on them so there is often little time to intervene.

To mitigate the risk, extra care should be taken during meal preparation involving boned chicken such as chicken wings or drumsticks. Ensure that these items are kept well out of reach, preferably far from the edge of counters where curious noses might explore.

Importantly, after enjoying your chicken dinner, promptly securing chicken bones in a container that is inaccessible to your pet or disposing of them immediately can drastically reduce the chances of your dog coming into contact with them.

By adopting these preventative measures, you can significantly lower the risk of accidental ingestion of chicken bones.

What if my dog ate beef or pork bones?

The risks are significantly higher if your dog consumes beef or pork bones. Chicken bones are lightweight and low in calcium, making it easy for stomach acid to digest and therefore reducing risk.

However, beef and pork bones are heavier and denser, meaning they will likely not digest properly and increase the chance of further gastrointestinal irritation and obstruction.

If your dog consumes a beef or pork bone, it's important to seek immediate veterinary help as complications can arise quickly. Your vet may recommend X-rays or other tests to assess the extent of the issue and provide necessary treatment.

In conclusion, while the ingestion of chicken bones by dogs can be alarming, understanding the risks and knowing what and what not to do is essential. By staying calm, closely monitoring your pet for any signs of distress, and taking appropriate action, you can help ensure their safety and well-being. Always remember, when in doubt, consulting your veterinarian is the best course of action. Prevention is key to avoiding such situations, so take steps to keep harmful items out of your dog's reach.