Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones? Are They Safe?

Many dog owners wonder if feeding their dog a chicken bone is safe – as they’re a great source of calcium & other minerals while also providing essential fatty acids! Plus – they help keep their teeth clean by providing natural abrasive action. 

However – some owners are concerned that their dogs might choke on the bones. To prevent this – it’s important to ensure that you feed your dog bones correctly. It’s also vital for you to bear in mind that not all bones are safe for dogs – so be sure to choose the right kind. 

But before you start feeding your pup raw chicken bones – it’s important to know the facts, like are chicken bones dangerous for dogs? Which type of bone is best: cooked or raw? How do you feed your fluff ball safely, and what should you do in case of an emergency?

So, how can dogs eat chicken bones? Let’s find out!

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones? Raw vs. Cooked

For thousands of years – Fido has been chewing bones – and generally, they handle them just fine. Bones are a great source of nutrition for pooches since they contain healthy amounts of calcium & phosphorous. 

But which one should you feed your fluffy friend, cooked or raw?

Raw Chicken Bones

When it comes to your pooch’s meals – raw chicken bones are the way to go! They’re easier for your fluffy canine to chew – which leads to dental benefits (like cleaning teeth). Plus – their stomachs can easily break down the bones – making sure there aren’t any blockages. 

Even though better for your pooch, raw bones do carry a risk of potential diseases so make sure you store the raw bones correctly. You should not allow your pup to eat raw bones they find on the street or in bins.

Cooked Chicken Bones

Feeding cooked chicken bones to your doggos is hazardous and poses a danger to their health. They are so lite and fragile, capable of damaging the teeth and breaking into small pieces – these bone fragments may even puncture their intestines or cut the throat. Choking & airway blockage also result from consuming these kinds of bones. 

Plus, these dried half-processed bones don’t dissolve in the stomach easily & can be swallowed whole – making them a safety hazard. Additionally – their hardness has been lost, so they don’t help clean your pooch’s teeth either. 

All in all – it is not safe for dogs to chew & ingest any cooked bones, regardless of their size. However, your pet can gnaw on pork meat & ham in moderation.

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Dogs Raw Chicken Bones?

You can give your doggie friend a natural form of mental stimulation through raw chicken bones – they love to chew! Here’s why it’s beneficial for your dog: 

• Your fluffy canine can obtain protein, fat, minerals, phosphorus, & calcium naturally by eating chicken bones (raw) & the marrow within it.
• Raw bones have a cleansing effect that can strengthen the stomach muscles of your fluffy friend & help prevent bloating.
• Giving your buddy raw chicken bones can help remove plaque from their teeth & improve their dental hygiene – which can prevent gum disease.
• Chewing raw bones help your fluff ball increase the production of stomach acid – which in turn helps to speed up its metabolism.
• Helps to promote saliva production in your pooch’s mouth – which contributes to maintaining their oral health.
• Raw chicken bones can provide your fluffy buddy with important nutrients like glucosamine & Omega – these nutrients can help maintain its healthy coat, bones, and joints.
• These will keep your canine companion occupied while also strengthening their chewing muscles – plus chewing also stimulate your dog mentally & physically. They’re also a great option to hide in a snuffle mat.
• Raw bones contain enzymes that naturally break down the biofilm.

How To Feed Chicken Bones to Your Dog in a Safe Manner?

Are you considering feeding your canine best friend chicken bones? If so – it’s important to know the right way of doing this in order to ensure that your pooch’s kept safe & avoids potential dangers. 

Have a Dental Checkup

Before giving your buddy raw chicken bones – it’s important to have their teeth checked by a veterinarian. Dogs with gum & tooth issues like injured gums, broken teeth, or mouth diseases may have trouble chewing on hard bones – which could exacerbate dental problems.

Choose the Right Type of Bone

Raw bones may contain food-borne pathogens like Salmonella – which can be introduced into your household. This is especially likely if the bones are left out for a long time – so ensure the bone is fresh. 

The bone you give to your doggie should be big enough to allow him/her to chew it without any obstruction or risk of it getting stuck in their mouth. 

If any part of the bone is small enough to fit in their mouth – it could potentially get lodged in their esophagus.

Recommended Amount

It is safe to give your dog raw chicken bones as a treat but most of their nutrients should be coming from high-quality food such as fresh food. The high-fat content in bone marrow poses a risk for pancreatitis. 

Remove Excessive Fat

Remove all fat before feeding chicken bones to your fluffy canine. Fat can cause digestive issues for your pet – so it’s important to trim away any fatty pieces before giving these treats to your pup. 

Avoid Excessive Chewing

Make sure to limit the frequency of giving bones – as prolonged chewing can result in tight chewing muscles for your pet.

Supervise Your Doggie

It is important to always supervise your canine companion when they are eating bones – as any type of bone – whether raw or cooked, can be a choking hazard for dogs.

Dispose of Any Leftovers Safely

Once your pup has finished their treat – make sure to throw the leftovers away properly – this will help prevent any choking hazards & other potential issues. 

What To Do When Your Doggie Grabs Cooked Chicken Bones?

Even though it may be tempting to give your pup a chicken bone from the table – try to avoid doing so. But if they’ve already grabbed one – here’s what you’d do.

1. Don’t shout or get overly excited – it can be tempting to reprimand your pooch and snatch the bones from them, but this may just make them anxious and swallow the bones quickly instead of relinquishing them.
2. If you observe your doggos taking hold of a chicken bone – remain composed and offer them some of their preferred treats or a portion of the chicken as an alternative to the bones.
3. If possible – throw the treat in a direction away from the bones to buy some time to collect them. 
4. However – keep in mind that your pet might have already eaten chicken bones some or all of the bones before you retrieve bones from them. In this case, get in contact with your vet to ask them for advice. In all likelihood, your dog will eat it with no problem but it’s always best to be sure.

What Symptoms To Look for if Your Dog Ate Chicken Bones?

While some dogs can sometimes handle a few chicken bones & at the same time, these can be life-threatening to others.

If your pup ate a chicken bone (specifically a cooked one) – but they don’t seem to be in any trouble right away – it’s probably best to call your vet & keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Coughing
• Vomiting 
• Fatigue 
• Poor appetite
• Lethargy
• Dental issue
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Refusal to drink
• Gagging or retching
• Abdominal pain
• Whining

Under these circumstances, keep your friend hydrated and calm & call your vet to convey the situation. 

If your canine best friend is active and seems to be eating & drinking normally – it is probable that they are fine. 

Emergency Situations

Besides these symptoms – there are 4 conditions when you’d take your canine to the veterinarian immediately:

1. When your pet’s bleeding either from the mouth or throat or have blood in stool, saliva, or vomit.
2. If your fluffy friend experiences chocking
3. In case of extreme constipation
4. If your canine friend is having trouble breathing

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bone Broth?

Yes! Gelatinous chicken bone broth is a wonderful treat for dogs to eat. It also massively reduces the likelihood of choking and can be frozen in a puzzle toy for a fun treat! Just make sure you make your own broth as ingredients such as onion and garlic can be toxic to dogs. Furthermore, some shop-bought chicken bone broth can contain a lot of salt which is bad for your pup’s health.

Take Care With Chicken Bones 

To summarize – based on information from veterinarians – the optimal raw dog bones are typically soft & have cartilage or other connective tissue. 

Raw chicken bones – particularly those from poultry, are preferred. It’s crucial to supervise your pup while they’re consuming bones & switch out any cooked chicken bones for the safer option of raw chicken bones. 

If you think they may have swallowed some cooked chicken bones – watch out for any signs of distress & take the necessary action as soon as possible.