What should you do if your dog eats chicken bones?!
My dog did it.
Lots of other dogs have too.
Here's what you need to know...
Back in the days when I was single, I took my dog with me on vacation everywhere I went.
This frequently included long-distance road trips... say, from Texas to Florida or Florida to Indiana.
He loved it.
Jersey's always been a great car-dog. He sits still. He doesn't get antsy. He just looks out the window or sleeps -- right there on the front seat next to me.
Dogs & Chicken Bones Don't Mix!
On one trip, I stopped at a Kentucky Fried Chicken and purchased a boxed chicken dinner for myself. I ate it in the car, while Jersey ate some of his dogfood. When I was done, I put the box on the floor in the backseat -- fully intending to throw it away once we got to the next stopping place. Only I forgot...Unfortunately, when I stopped at the convenience store to get gas and use the restroom, I returned to find the entire box of chicken contents on my front seat. There were pieces everywhere -- pieces of chicken... pieces of chicken bones... pieces of box... pieces of napkins.
I panicked. Knowing that my dog had obviously ingested a number of chicken bones (thigh and breast), I feared he would puncture his innards or not be able to pass the bones at all.
Everyone knows that chicken bones are dangerous for dogs to eat -- especially cooked chicken bones -- because they're dry & brittle and they splinter into lots of tiny (and sharp!) pieces inside your puppy's tummy after they've been chewed & swallowed.
Fortunately, the bones that Jersey ingested on this day passed just fine -- but it took a couple of days. I was completely on edge for that part of the vacation. Thankfully, he didn't seem to suffer at all from this little incident.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chicken Bones
Since there isn't much that you can do after the chicken bones have been ingested by your dog, you simply need to monitor him closely for the next few days.Keep checking his stools to see if the bones pass. Watch for blood in the stool, or any signs that he's straining to defecate.
You should also keep an eye on your dog's temperament. If he becomes moody or listless, take him to a vet immediately.
Perhaps the best thing you can do is try to "cushion" the tiny bones inside your dog's tummy by overfeeding him a little more over the next couple of days. Cooked rice (that's completely cooled first) is ideal, because it is gentle on a dog's stomach and digestive tract. You could serve up a small helping of plain white rice alone, or mix some cooked rice in with your dog's normal dog food.
Then, you just wait and see.
Chances are, everything will come out fine in the end.
Some Precautions You Can Take
The biggest lesson I've learned:
NEVER leave food in places where my dogs could get it -- now or later!
So, if you've got large dogs in your home (or maybe even small or medium sized dogs who just happen to be good jumpers!), you'll want to remember to push plates, dishes, and leftovers up high enough and back far enough out of the reach of your dog.
And maybe your dog won't poke his head in the trash can when you're around, but the minute you're not within sight, chances are, he'll sniff out anything smells good & tasty in there. So, be sure to keep your garbage pail behind a door or cabinet that latches securely shut. Or, purchase a heavy-duty, stable garbage can for the kitchen that has a lid your dog couldn't possibly open.
136 Comments
Leave a comment
- RV Faucet Repair: How To Replace The Kitchen Faucet & Shower Fixtures
- GoodSearch.com - An Easy Way To Donate Money To Charity Every Time You Search Online
- How To Repair A Burst Water Line In An RV
- Dog Costs: What Is The True Cost Of Owning A Dog?
- 10 Common RV Repairs The Average Do-It-Yourself Guy Can Fix
- Vacation Planning Tip: How To Take A 7-Day Staycation & Feel Like You Actually Went Somewhere
- A Victorian Slate Roofing Installation
- Fun Decorating Class At Pottery Barn Cool Springs
- Weather Insurance: How Does It Work?
- Buying An RV? Reasons To Consider A 5th-Wheel Travel Trailer Or A Teardrop Trailer


Thanks for the article. We had just cut up a whole chicken and put the bones in a plastic bag.Our 6 month puppy jumped onto the counter and pulled the bag onto the floor.In the 20 seconds it took me to get into the kitchen he had eaten the entire back of the chicken in a big gulp because he saw me coming!Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for the advice, My 1 year old Italian Greyhound ate about 9 chicken wings, and i didnt know what to do, so in panic i searched it and found this thanks, i just hope he'll be fine im scared out the ying yang.
My 11 pound Chihuahua mix just ate a chicken leg bone so I called my Vet in a panic. She said it would do no good to take X-rays, but had me give Ricky a "swallow test." She was able to swallow cheese, and that was the main worry, that her throat could be blocked. Then she told me to give 1/4 of a 10mg.Pepcid tablet and watch for bloody stools and vomiting. A little vomiting is ok, but vomiting many times in one day indicates an emergency and she must be seen. She said that chicken bones can be fully digested by dogs, they turn to fat, and this can cause diarrhea. Someone suggested giving cooled cooked white rice, so I'm going to go make some. I never thought Ricky was a trash dog, but I'll be a lot more careful from now on. When she gets better I'm going to do some gentle aversion training, so she'll be less likely to get into the trash again. I hope this helps someone.
Laurie - thanks SO much for sharing those tips from your vet!!!
Yes, I'm sure that advice will help a number of fellow dog owners :o)
my female miniature pincher eat chicken bones and she is pregnant she don't' eat and have diarrhea for 4 days I took her to the vet and she have the same problem PLEASE HELP IF YOU HAVE A REMEDY
We have a little dog, he is about 21 lbs and is a rat terrier pug mix. We just had chiken wings for dinner and our son dropped the wing on the floor. The dog snatched it up--we are pretty sure whole. Should we wait to go to the vet or just go? It seems that everyone here has poted that their little dogs chewed it first and passed it ok. We don't think he even chewed...help??!!