If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to take action as soon as possible. While chicken bones can be a natural and nutritious treat, they can also pose a choking hazard or cause blockages in the digestive system. Below, we’ll discuss home remedies for a dog who ate chicken bones.
Some of the most common home remedies for your dog after it ate chicken bones include monitoring symptoms, encouraging it to drink water, offering small amounts of low-fat food, offering a fiber or enzyme supplement, offering a lubricant, or administering activated charcoal.
Keep reading below as we discuss these tips in-depth.
Before you read this guide, “Best Home Remedies for Dog Who Ate Chicken Bones,” check out: How to Cook Chicken for a Dog (2023) and Can Dogs Eat Chicken Nuggets? (2023).
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones?
The question of whether or not dogs can eat chicken bones is a bit of a controversial one, with some experts saying that chicken bones are safe for dogs to eat and others saying that they are dangerous.
Here are the potential risks and benefits of feeding chicken bones to dogs:
Benefits of Feeding Dog Chicken Bones
Here are a few of the main benefits of feeding chicken bones to dogs:
Nutritious
Chicken bones are a good source of protein and other nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. These nutrients can help to support the overall health and well-being of your dog.
Dental Health
Chicken bones can help to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy by removing plaque and tartar. This can help to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Natural and Affordable
Chicken bones are a natural and affordable treat for dogs. They are widely available and can be a good option for dogs that are sensitive to other types of treats.
Keeps Dogs Entertained
Chewing on chicken bones can provide a good source of mental and physical stimulation for dogs. It can help to keep them entertained and can help to prevent boredom.
Provides Mental and Physical Exercise
Chewing chicken bones can provide a good source of mental and physical exercise. It can help to keep their minds and bodies active, which can be especially important for older or less active dogs.
May Improve Digestion
Some studies have suggested that chewing on chicken bones may help to improve digestion. This may be due to the fact that chewing on bones stimulates the production of saliva, which can help to digest food more effectively.
Risks of Feeding Dogs Chicken Bones
Here are some of the main risks of feeding chicken bones to dogs:
Choking
One of the main risks of feeding chicken bones to dogs is choking. Chicken bones can splinter and break easily, so if a piece of bone gets stuck in your dog’s throat, it can be a potentially life-threatening problem.
It is important to be especially careful if you are giving your dog small chicken bones, as these are more likely to cause choking.
Blockages in the Digestive System
Another potential risk of feeding chicken bones to dogs is the risk of blockages in the digestive system. If your dog swallows a chicken bone that is too large or that does not break down easily in their digestive system, it can cause an obstruction.
This can be a potentially life-threatening problem, and it may require surgery to remove the bone.
Splinters
Chicken bones can splinter and break into small, sharp pieces, which can cause injuries to your dog’s mouth, throat, or digestive system. If your dog consumes these splinters, it can be a painful problem.
Weight Gain
Chicken bones can be high in fat, and feeding your dog too many chicken bones can lead to weight gain and other health problems. It is important to feed chicken bones to your dog in moderation and to consider their overall diet and nutritional needs.
Nutritional Imbalance
Chicken bones can be a good source of protein, but they are not a complete and balanced source of nutrition for dogs. It is important to ensure that your dog is getting all of the nutrients that they need from their diet, which should be formulated to meet their specific nutritional needs.
Home Remedies for Dogs Who Ate Chicken Bones
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to take action to prevent any injuries or complications. Chicken bones can splinter and cause blockages or tears in the digestive system, which can be life-threatening for dogs.
Here are some home remedies you can try if your dog has eaten chicken bones:
Monitor Your Dog’s Behavior and Symptoms
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to monitor them closely for any changes in behavior or appetite. Be on the lookout for any symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or difficulty breathing.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
Encourage Your Dog to Drink Water
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to encourage them to drink plenty of water. This can help flush the bones through the digestive system and reduce the risk of blockages.
Offer Your Dog a Small Amount of Food
If your dog has eaten chicken bones and is not showing any symptoms, you can try offering them a small amount of food. This can help push the bones through the digestive system and reduce the risk of blockages or tears.
Administer a Fiber Supplement
If your dog is constipated or experiencing other digestive issues after eating chicken bones, you can try administering a fiber supplement. Fiber supplements, such as pumpkin puree or psyllium husk, can help to move the bones through the digestive system and alleviate constipation.
Administer a Lubricant
If you are concerned about the risk of splinters from the chicken bones, you can try administering a lubricant to your dog’s digestive system. Lubricants, such as mineral oil or petroleum jelly, can help to coat the bones and reduce the risk of splinters.
Administer an Enzyme Supplement
If you are concerned about the risk of blockages or tears from the chicken bones, you can try administering an enzyme supplement. Enzyme supplements, such as papain or bromelain, can help to break down the bones and reduce the risk of blockages or tears.
Offer Your Dog a Mild, Low-Fat Meal
If your dog has eaten chicken bones and is experiencing digestive issues such as vomiting or diarrhea, it is a good idea to offer them a mild, low-fat meal.
This can help to settle their stomach and provide them with nourishment. Good options include cooked white rice with boiled, skinless chicken or a small amount of plain, unsweetened yogurt.
Administer Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal can help to absorb toxins and other substances in the digestive system.
If your dog has eaten chicken bones and is vomiting or has diarrhea, you can try giving them activated charcoal to help absorb any toxins or bone fragments that may be present in their system.
You can purchase activated charcoal at a pharmacy or pet store. It is important to follow the dosage instructions carefully and to seek veterinary advice before giving activated charcoal to your dog.
What to Look Out For if Dog Ate Chicken Bones
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and to be on the lookout for any signs or symptoms that may indicate a problem.
While chicken bones can be a natural and nutritious treat for dogs, they can also pose a choking hazard or cause blockages in the digestive system.
Here are some things to look out for if your dog has eaten chicken bones:
Choking
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, it is important to watch for any signs of choking. When your dog chokes, they may show signs such as coughing, gagging, difficulty breathing, or a bluish tinge to their gums. If your dog is choking, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
Digestive Issues
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, they may experience digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, or abdominal pain.
These symptoms may be a sign of an obstruction in the digestive system caused by bones. If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
Loss of Appetite
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, they may lose their appetite or become less interested in food. This may be a sign of an underlying problem, such as an obstruction in the digestive system or discomfort caused by the chicken bones.
If your dog is not eating or is eating less than usual, it is important to seek veterinary care.
Lethargy or Weakness
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, they may become lethargic or weak. This may be a sign of an underlying problem such as an obstruction in the digestive system or discomfort caused by the chicken bones. If your dog is exhibiting these symptoms, it is important to seek veterinary care.
Change in Bowel Movements
If your dog has eaten chicken bones, you may notice a change in their bowel movements. They may have diarrhea, constipation, or hard, pellet-like stools.
These changes in bowel movements may be a sign of an underlying problem such as an obstruction in the digestive system or discomfort caused by the chicken bones.
If you notice any changes in your dog’s bowel movements, contact your veterinarian’s office.
Frequently Asked Questions
A small portion of bread can help lessen the risk of damage if your dog ingested splinters of a chicken bone.
After eating a chicken bone, your dog should have a bowel movement within 24 hours. The time will depend on the size of the bone and your dog.
You can try giving your dog their favorite treat so that they let go of a bone. It’s important not to force your dog to let go, as that can trigger a reaction.
Conclusion for “Best Home Remedies for Dog Who Ate Chicken Bones”
In this article, we discussed some of the common remedies for dogs who ate chicken bones.
Keep in mind, these remedies are not a substitute for veterinary care. If your dog shows signs of distress or you have any concerns about their health, it is important to seek help from a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you find this guide, “Best Home Remedies for Dog Who Ate Chicken Bones,” helpful, check out:
- Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Breast? (2023)
- Is Lamb or Chicken Better for Dogs: Which Is Better? (2023)
- Chicken Allergy in Dogs: Everything You Need to Know!
Learn more by watching “The Top 10 Best Meats For Your Pet’s Raw Diet” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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