Dog owners have probably heard that bones are healthy for their dogs or are harmful to them at some point in their lives. There are differing opinions regarding feeding bones to dogs since some health professionals recommend it while others do not. Hence, it becomes extremely difficult for dog owners to decide if it’s okay for dogs to eat bones or not. But What happens if a dog ate chicken bones? Don’t worry! We’re here to help you understand what sort of bones are healthy for your dog, and how to feed them to it.
Are Chicken Bones Bad for Dogs?
Are cooked bones bad for dogs? Yes, a dog shouldn’t consume cooked bones like chicken bones since they splinter, whereas raw bones for dogs are comparatively safer. Having strong stomach acids and coming from the Canidae family, dogs are naturally good at consuming raw bones. Raw chicken bones and raw chicken dog food are rich in calcium and phosphorus, as well as a number of minerals and nutrients that are beneficial to dogs’ dental health. They are soft and pliable and hence, are edible for dogs. Although raw bones are healthy for dogs, they should only be consumed under your supervision. However, when it comes to the question about chicken bones bad for dogs we must say yes it.
On the other hand, cooked chicken bones should not be fed to dogs as they have no nutritional value. Moreover, they can easily splinter and break into pieces, which may tear up the dog’s esophagus. They are also dry and brittle, which can crack easily and lead to cuts in your dog’s mouth, gums, or internal organs. However, not all cooked chicken bones are harmful. You should only buy processed chicken bones labeled as edible for dogs.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chicken Bones?
Sometimes, even after all the precautionary measures you take, your dog still manages to find bones in a trashcan around. If your dog swallowed chicken bone, the first and foremost thing you should do is stay calm and immediately take the rest of the bones away from your dog. You can next watch your dog carefully to check for injuries in his mouth and make sure he does not choke. Even though cooked chickens can harm internal organs, it is not certain to happen every time. Contact your vet to know about my dog ate chicken bones symptoms. If your dog appears exhausted, unwilling to eat anything, vomiting, or has a bloody stool, you should immediately rush to your dog’s veterinarian.
Check your dog’s stool within the time frame recommended by the vet, and if you see bone fragments passing through, it’s a good sign. In case you cannot find any bone fragments, you should consult a veterinarian to ensure that the bones aren’t lodged in your dog’s organs. In order to determine if the bones are stuck in your dog’s internal organs, your vet will perform an X-ray and inform you about the next steps. Dogs sometimes need surgery to remove bones stuck inside their bodies. Follow your veterinarian’s advice seriously and take stricter preventive measures next time.
Differences Between Safe and Unsafe Bones
According to some doctors, no bones are completely safe to feed your dog. However, some bones are comparatively safer and less risky to consume than others. But a question arises: are raw chicken bones good for dogs? However, they are less risky than other options. Therefore, if you wish to give a dog a bone, ensure that the bone is raw because raw and unseasoned bones are softer and more flexible than cooked and roasted ones. Such bones are sharper and more brittle than raw bones and are riskier to consume. Raw bones, however, can remove tartar and plaque and be a potential toothbrush for your dog. They also give rise to mental and physical stimulation in dogs and help prevent boredom.
However, You should avoid certain raw bones to prevent illness in your dog’s body. You must separate meat from bones before feeding it to your dog. Sometimes, dogs are not able to chew the meat off the bone. This annoys them, so they try to gulp the whole thing down. It is better to keep your dog away from bones that have large amounts of fat. Pork bones are easily breakable and hence, should be avoided. If you have frozen bones for your dog, make sure to thaw them before giving them to your dog.
The bones should also be cleaned before feeding the dog to avoid bacterial infections.It is best to give dogs large bones since large bones are less likely to cause choking or vomiting and are safer to eat. The bones should also be fresh because rotten bones can lead to many diseases. In order to avoid putting your dog’s health at risk, check with the vet before feeding any bones.
Symptoms of My Dog Ate Chicken Bones Problems
Since cooked chicken bones tend to be softer and more breakable than raw chicken bones, they can cause severe damage to a dog’s internal organs. If a dog tries to gobble down a piece of cooked chicken bone and the bone does not digest properly, it can lead to bleeding in the gums or lodged esophagus, which can cause gagging or vomiting. Another threat that occurs due to my dog ate a chicken bone is that they can cause tearing in the intestinal tract.
However, can dogs eat raw chicken bones? Raw chicken bones for dogs are good for their health, but they should be cleaned properly to prevent other diseases. Unclean bones can expose your dog to harmful and contaminated bacteria. These bacteria can lead to other diseases in your dog’s body.
If you wonder what happens if a dog eats a chicken bone then, the answer is here. If your dog has consumed a chicken bone and shows poor appetite, vomiting, fatigue, choking, or difficulty breathing, you should immediately contact your vet. However, if your dog appears to be alright and seems to be active, then it is better to keep a watch on your dog.
Other consequences of consuming cooked chicken bones may include broken teeth, injuries in the mouth, gums, tongue, or tonsils, rectal bleeding, or abdominal infection.
Conclusion
While some packaged bones are labeled edible for dogs, some health professionals say they are not healthy for dogs. Furthermore, some of these processed bones have the same health risks as the bones from a butcher. They contain chemicals that can cause bacterial infections and other serious illnesses in dogs. Hence, if you’re planning to feed bones to your dog, the first and foremost thing you should do is consult your dog’s veterinarian before making any decisions.